Vaginal temperature sensing using UHF radio telemetry

User induced errors are common when women repetitively employ conventional probe type thermometers to chart their basal body temperatures in an effort to indicate ovulation. An alternative technique employing a two-part telemetric thermometer is proposed, with low-power, SAWR-controlled UHF radio as the transmission medium. Worn overnight in the vagina, the 1 mu W erp telemetry transmitter sends pulse modulated data continuously to a microcontroller in a nearby receiver; a real time clock enables programmable sampling and storage of the subject's temperature to 0.1 degrees C resolution. Initial clinical results indicate an enhanced performance compared to oral and axillary temperature trends taken by a mercury-in-glass thermometer. Polar plots of both the isolated and body-worn telemetry transmitte are presented; body indced attenuations of up to 30 dB were measured.

Motor Skills in Children Aged 7–10 Years, Diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder

This study used the Movement Assessment Battery for Children (M-ABC2) to assess the level of motor skill in children aged 7-10 years with autism (n=18) and compared their performance to two groups of age-matched typically developing children; a receptive vocabulary matched group (n=19) and a nonverbal IQ matched group (n=22). Although the results support previous work, as indicated by a significant general motor impairment in the group with autism, a sub-analysis of the M-ABC2 revealed that there were only 2 out of 8 subcomponent skills which showed universally significant specific deficits for the autism group; namely catching a ball and static balance. These results suggest that motor skill deficits associated with autism may not be pervasive but more apparent in activities demanding complex, interceptive actions or core balance ability.

School as ‘Micro-city’ for the Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) Pupil

As architects and designers we have a responsibility to provide an inclusive built environment. For the person with Autistic Spectrum Disorder (ASD) however, the built environment can be a frightening and confusing place, difficult to negotiate and tolerate. The challenge of integrating more fully into society is denied by both having difficulty in communication and in an alienating built environment. The following paper therefore firstly outlines the challenge when designing for those with ASD. It then illustrates, by critically examining the school as a 'micro-city' (Hertzberger 2008) that a voice can be given to those with ASD. It then goes onto highlight, through two case studies in an Irish context, some of the lessons that can be learnt from pupils with ASD that are applicable to the city beyond. Finally in conclusion it suggests some of the benefits for an enriched built environment for all, when listening to the pupil with ASD. The objective is twofold; firstly to gain a better understanding of the needs of those with ASD and secondly, to ascertain what can be learnt from those with ASD that can challenge our perception of not just school, but also of the city.

Eosinophil peroxidase induces the expression and function of acid-sensing ion channel-3 in allergic rhinitis:in vitro evidence in cultured epithelial cells

BACKGROUND:
Acid-sensing ion channels (ASIC) are a family of acid-activated ligand-gated cation channels. As tissue acidosis is a feature of inflammatory conditions, such as allergic rhinitis (AR), we investigated the expression and function of these channels in AR.
OBJECTIVES:
The aim of the study was to assess expression and function of ASIC channels in the nasal mucosa of control and AR subjects.
METHODS:
Immunohistochemical localization of ASIC receptors and functional responses to lactic acid application were investigated. In vitro studies on cultured epithelial cells were performed to assess underlying mechanisms of ASIC function.
RESULTS:
Lactic acid at pH 7.03 induced a significant rise in nasal fluid secretion that was inhibited by pre-treatment with the ASIC inhibitor amiloride in AR subjects (n = 19). Quantitative PCR on cDNA isolated from nasal biopsies from control and AR subjects demonstrated that ASIC-1 was equally expressed in both populations, but ASIC-3 was significantly more highly expressed in AR (P < 0.02). Immunohistochemistry confirmed significantly higher ASIC-3 protein expression on nasal epithelial cells in AR patients than controls (P < 0.01). Immunoreactivity for EPO+ eosinophils in both nasal epithelium and submucosa was more prominent in AR compared with controls. A mechanism of induction of ASIC-3 expression relevant to AR was suggested by the finding that eosinophil peroxidase (EPO), acting via ERK1/2, induced the expression of ASIC-3 in epithelial cells. Furthermore, using a quantitative functional measure of epithelial cell secretory function in vitro, EPO increased the air-surface liquid depth via an ASIC-dependent chloride secretory pathway.
CONCLUSIONS:
This data suggests a possible mechanism for the observed association of eosinophils and rhinorrhoea in AR and is manifested through enhanced ASIC-3 expression.

Luminescence temperature sensing using poly(vinyl alcohol)-encapsulated Ru(bpy)(3)(2+) films

The ruthenium(II) diimine complexes, such as ruthenium(II) tris( bipyridyl), Ru(bpy)(3)(2+), possess highly luminescent excited states that are not only readily quenched by oxygen but also by an increase in temperature. The former effect can be rendered insignificant by encapsulating the complex in an oxygen impermeable polymer, although encapsulation often leads also to a loss of temperature sensitivity. The luminescence properties of Ru(bpy)(3)(2+) encapsulated in PVA were studied as a function of oxygen concentration and temperature and found to be independent of the former, but still very sensitive towards the latter. The results were fitted to an established Arrhenius-type equation, based on thermal quenching of the emitting state by a slightly higher (Delta E = 3100 cm(-1)) (3)d-d state that deactivates very rapidly (10(-13) s) via a non-radiative process.

Optical sensors for carbon dioxide: an overview of sensing strategies past and present

The evolution of the optical sensor for CO2 over the past two decades is outlined and illustrated through examples of luminescent-based sensors. The basic principles and design of the early 'wet covered' type sensor, in which a pH sensitive dye in an aqueous buffer is covered by a gas permeable, ion impermeable, membrane, are outlined. The gradual move from the 'wet covered' types of CO2 optical sensor to 'solid-water droplet' type sensors and then onto 'solid' sensors is charted. The basic design and principles of operation of the modern 'solid' optical sensor for P-CO2 is covered in some detail. Other sensing strategies outside the simple use of pH-sensitive dyes are also considered, most notably those based on luminescence lifetime measurements.

Effect of plasticizer-polymer compatibility on the response characteristics of optical thin CO2 and O-2 sensing films

A homologous family of dialkyl phthalates has been used to investigate the effect of plasticizer/polymer compatibility on the response characteristics of transparent, plastic, thin optical gas sensing films for CO2 and oxygen. Plasticizer/polymer compatibilities were determined through the value of the difference in solubility parameter, i.e. Delta delta, for the plasticizer and polymer with a Delta delta value of zero indicating high compatibility. A strong correlation was found between plasticizer/polymer compatibility and sensitivity in phenol red/ethyl cellulose CO2-sensitive films and this relationship extended to CO2-sensitive films based on other polymers such as polystyrene and poly(methyl methacrylate). It extended also to optical O-2-sensitive films implying that the relationship is general for thin-film optical sensors. Other results from the CO2-sensitive films in different polymers indicated that the film sensitivity is largely independent of the polymer matrix regardless of its inherent gas permeability, when a sufficient quantity of compatible plasticizer is present. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science B.V.