Smartphone-based hyperspectral imaging for ice sheet and proglacial applications in South-West Greenland.

Hyperspectral imaging is a valuable analytical technique with significant benefits for environmental monitoring. However, the application of these technologies remains limited, largely by the cost and bulk associated with available instrumentation. This results in a lack of high-resolution data from more challenging and extreme environmental settings, limiting our knowledge and understanding of the effects of climate change in these regions. In this article we challenge these limitations through the application of a low-cost, smartphone-based hyperspectral imaging instrument to measurement and monitoring activities at the Greenland Ice Sheet. Datasets are captured across a variety of supraglacial and proglacial locations covering visible and near infrared wavelengths. Our results are comparable to the existing literature, despite being captured with instrumentation costing over an order of magnitude less than currently available commercial technologies. Practicalities for field deployment are also explored, demonstrating our approach to be a valuable addition to the research field with the potential to improve the availability of datasets from across the cryosphere, unlocking a wealth of data collection opportunities that were hitherto infeasible.

Paediatric cardiomyopathy and anaesthesia.

'Cardiomyopathy' (CM) is defined by the World Health Organization as 'a disease of the myocardium associated with cardiac dysfunction'. In a child, it is associated with a significant risk for anaesthesia. In addition, cardiac arrest under anaesthesia has been attributed to an undiagnosed CM. Care of these patients is complicated by the fact that there are several different forms of CM that have differing anaesthesia management goals, aimed at maintaining the patient's baseline haemodynamic variables of preload, heart rate, contractility, and afterload. With the emergence of new diagnostic tools, together with advances in cardiac imaging and improved treatment modalities (such as ventricular assist devices), the anaesthetic management of a child with a CM is evolving. This review describes the different forms of the disease in terms of pathology, aetiology, and clinical presentation. Dilated, hypertrophic, and restrictive CM are the most common forms. We examine recent advances in therapy, including the management of severe end-stage disease, while highlighting the specific anaesthetic considerations for children with each type of CM.

Carboxyhemoglobinemia in a pediatric cardiopulmonary bypass patient derived from a contaminated unit of allogenic blood.

A 4.3 kg, three-month-old patient, diagnosed with a perimembranous ventricular septal defect, presented for cardiac surgery. Upon initiation of cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB), the patient developed carboxyhemoglobinemia (11.1%). Potential sources for the unexpected acquired carboxyhemoglobinemia were sought quickly. Testing of residual blood from the unit of packed red blood cells (PRBCs) used to prime the CPB circuit revealed a carboxyhemoglobin (COHb) of 15.1 %. A decrease in cerebral oximetry (rSO(2)) on CPB was initially felt to be a result of the elevated COHb levels. When ventilation of the oxygenator with 100% oxygen (O(2)) failed to decrease COHb levels, a partial exchange transfusion was performed with reduction in COHb to 7.1%. The operation was completed successfully and the patient's COHb levels returned to normal within 75 minutes. Post case analysis of events and data collected during the case revealed a broader differential for explaining the compromised patient's O(2) delivery than the transient acquired carboxyhemoglobinemia. A partial obstruction of the superior vena cava could have triggered the drop in rSO(2) on CPB. Follow-up of the donor blood confirmed the donor had previously undiagnosed carboxyhemoglobinemia as a result of chronic carbon monoxide exposure from a faulty vehicle exhaust system.

Early interactions between blood-stage plasmodium parasites and the immune system.

Accumulating evidence provides strong support for the importance of innate immunity in shaping the subsequent adaptive immune response to blood-stage Plasmodium parasites, the causative agents of malaria. Early interactions between blood-stage parasites and cells of the innate immune system, including dendritic cells, monocytes/macrophages, natural killer (NK) cells, NKT cells, and gamma6 T cells, are important in the timely control of parasite replication and in the subsequent elimination and resolution of the infection. The major role of innate immunity appears to be the production of immunoregulatory cytokines, such as interleukin (IL)-12 and interferon (IFN)-gamma, which are critical for the development of type 1 immune responses involving CD4+ Thl cells, B cells, and effector cells which mediate cell-mediated and antibody-dependent adaptive immune responses. In addition, it is likely that cells of the innate immune system, especially dendritic cells, serve as antigen-presenting cells. Here, we review recent data from rodent models of blood-stage malaria and from human studies, and outline the early interactions of infected red blood cells with the innate immune system. We compare and contrast the results derived from studies in infected laboratory mice and humans. These host species are sufficiently different with respect to the identity of the infecting Plasmodium species, the resulting pathologies, and immune responses, particularly where the innate immune response is concerned. The implications of these findings for the development of an effective and safe malaria vaccine are also discussed.

Injuries and risk factors for injuries from the 29 May 1982 tornado, Marion, Illinois.

On 29 May 1982, a tornado struck Marion, Illinois. As a result, ten people were killed, 38 were hospitalized, and 196 were examined in hospital emergency rooms. In order to describe injuries and to identify risk factors that might have increased or reduced the risk of injuries, we (1) conducted a telephone survey of all persons we could identify who were in the path of the tornado and (2) reviewed the emergency room logs and records and admission files of hospitals that provided initial care. Overall, 19.3% of people who were in the path of the tornado were injured during the impact. Only 39.0% of people examined in emergency rooms were injured as a direct result of the impact. The remainder were injured while rescuing, cleaning up, or just walking in the disaster area. Behaviours that were most protective were being in a house on the lowest floor, staying underground in a basement, protecting one's body with something like a blanket, and staying away from windows. Neither lying down nor opening doors or windows seemed to decrease the risk of being injured. Our results emphasize the need for early warnings and public education about protective behaviours.

Anti-sperm antibodies, detected by agglutination, immobilization, microcytotoxicity and immunobead-binding assays.

To determine the reliability of tests currently utilized in the detection of sperm-reactive antibodies, sera were provided as unknowns and studied without knowledge of the clinical histories. Four laboratories performed tray agglutination tests (TAT), three complement-dependent immobilization (SIT), and single laboratories sperm cytotoxicity (SCT), passive haemagglutination (PHA) and immunobead binding (IBB). Most investigators demonstrated an excellent correlation between duplicate sample results. Nearly all of the female sera were free of anti-sperm antibodies and positive results did not appear in greater frequency in women with unexplained infertility as compared with other categories. For the male sera, the highest incidence of anti-sperm antibodies in the infertile group (21% positive for sperm-reactive IgGs) was obtained by immunobead binding. The GAT and TAT results gave 7 and 12% positives, except for lower results in one laboratory. Sperm-reactive antibodies were detected most commonly in vasectomized men, with all assays except SCT and PHA. Of the newer techniques studied, IBB results correlated well with TAT, GAT and SIT, while SCT and PHA did not, suggesting that a different group of antibodies, perhaps directed against other sperm-associated antigens, was being detected by the latter procedures. In this light, emphasis was placed on the need to validate whether results of particular methodologies correlated with impaired sperm function and to develop methods that provided evidence for this premise, either on the basis of clinical criteria or altered gamete interaction in vitro.

Antibodies to spermatozoa and seminal plasma antigens detected by various enzyme-linked immunosorbent (ELISA) assays.

Various ELISA methods have been applied by different research centers to test the efficiency of this approach for the diagnosis of sperm-immune infertility cases. The antigens used were either whole spermatozoa or solubilized spermatozoal membrane preparations and were immobilized on microtiter plates, except in one case where plastic beads were employed. Polyvalent second antibodies or protein-A labelled with enzymes served as tracers. A high frequency of positive sera was found in all groups including fertile controls with tests using whole spermatozoa as antigen. The methods using solubilized antigen preparations showed fewer positives on the whole and correlated better with the various clinical categories of the WHO sera. Whilst there was some agreement in the results between the various laboratories on a few sera, most of the positive sera found by one laboratory were reported as negative by others. More investigative work is needed to improve reproducibility between different laboratories and to reduce non-specific reactions with normal controls. A more precise definition of the proper cut-off levels for positives and negatives is also needed. Despite these short-comings, the development of an ELISA for the diagnosis of sperm-immune infertility cases seems to be justified in the long term.

A comparison of swim-down and swim-up methods for the extraction of high motility sperm.

High quality motile sperm are essential for the success of the in vitro fertilization-embryo transfer program and related procedures, for the performance of sperm antibody assays, and other in vitro tests of sperm function. Two methods for the extraction of high motility sperm, swim-down and swim-up, were compared on 30 ejaculates, and sperm motility was assessed at intervals up to 18 hours. The swim-down method was simpler, shorter, and provided a significantly better recovery of sperm with sustained high motility than did the swim-up method.

An improved indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for the detection of antisperm antibodies.

An indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was used for the detection of antisperm antibodies which provides a sensitivity and ease of quantitation that is not available with conventional bioassay systems. A standardized protocol was developed in which washed whole sperm were coated onto polystyrene microelisa plates at a density of 1 X 10(5) sperm per well using a commercially available spray fixative. Urease was employed in the enzyme-antiimmunoglobulin conjugate to minimize nonspecific background reactions. Diluted positive and negative human sera were incubated at 37 degrees C and the results were read on an ELISA auto reader. Using mouse antihuman sperm antisera and sera from selected infertile patients, it was found that the ELISA method was significantly more sensitive than the sperm microimmobilization test and the microtray agglutination test. The results also confirmed that the ELISA detected a different spectrum of sperm antibodies compared with the other two techniques.

Absence of mutagenicity of coralyne and related antileukemic agents: structural comparison with the potent carcinogen 7,12-dimethylbenz[a]anthracene.

The structural similarity between antileukemic alkaloid coralyne and the carcinogenic and antineoplastic hydrocarbon 7, 12-dimethylbenz[a]anthracene, as well as the similarity between the antileukemic alkaloid nitidine and the carcinogenic hydrocarbon 5-methylchrysene, prompted a mutagenicity evaluation of coralyne sulfoacetate, nitidine chloride, the 8-ethyl homolog of coralyne, nitidine methosulfate, and the tetramethoxy analog of nitidine by the Ames method against the histidine-auxotroph strains of Salmonella typhimurium TA-1537, TA-1538, TA-98, and TA-100; 7,12-dimethylbenz[a]anthracene was used as a reference standard. The mutagenicity of these antileukemic compounds was either completely eliminated or drastically reduced, but the mutagenic response was generally high for 7,12-dimethylbenz[a]anthracene. The results suggest that the presence of a quaternary nitrogen atom and alkoxy groups could be important in alleviating the mutagenicity of the parent mutagenic and carcinogenic hydrocarbons.

Hypertonic saline/dextran improves septic myocardial performance.

An isolated perfused heart preparation was used to determine the effects of hypertonic saline dextran on contractile performance in both control and septic animals. Myocardial performance was assessed by developed pressure (DP), maximal rate of tension development (dp/dtmax) and relaxation (-dp/dt). Coronary flow rate was measured and myocardial oxygen consumption (MVO2) determined in the septic preparations. The hypertonic perfusate had negligible effects on contraction and relaxation in the control group. In the septic group, perfusion with the hypertonic solution improved myocardial contractility to 150 per cent of baseline DP and +dp/dt and 134 per cent of baseline -dp/dt. These improvements in myocardial performance were unrelated to changes in coronary flow or MVO2.

Mortality from flash floods: a review of national weather service reports, 1969-81.

Of all weather-related disasters that occur in the United States, floods are the main cause of death, and most flood-related deaths are attributed to flash floods. Whenever a weather-related disaster involves 30 or more deaths or more than $100 million in property damage, the National Weather Service (NWS) forms a survey team to investigate the disaster and write a report of findings. All NWS survey reports on flash floods issued during 1969-81 were reviewed to determine the mortality resulting from such floods, the effect of warnings on mortality, and the circumstances contributing to death. A total of 1,185 deaths were associated with 32 flash floods, an average of 37 deaths per flash flood. The highest average number of deaths per event was associated with the four flash floods in which dams broke after heavy rains. Although there were 18 flash floods in 1977-81 and only 14 in 1969-76, the number of deaths was 2 1/2 times greater during the earlier period. More than twice as many deaths were associated with flash floods for which the survey team considered the warnings inadequate than with those with warnings considered adequate. Ninety-three percent of the deaths were due to drowning and 42 percent of these drownings were car related. The other drownings occurred in homes, at campsites, or when persons were crossing bridges and streams. The need for monitoring dams during periods of heavy rainfall is highlighted.

The 1990 objectives for the nation for injury prevention: a progress review.

Unintentional injuries are the principal cause of preventable early death. Beyond terms of human suffering and death, injuries place enormous burdens on this country's economic and health care resources. Demographic, sociological, environmental, and behavioral factors that influence our society contribute to the complexity and scope of the injury problem. Progress in injury prevention will be achieved only through the combined efforts of individuals, organizations, and government at every level of our society. The Federal Government is an important contributor to this process through its role of leading, catalyzing, and providing strategic support. Within the Department of Health and Human Services, numerous agencies have major injury prevention components with a broad range of responsibilities, including the direct delivery of services, establishment of safety standards, sponsorship of education and information efforts, building of the capacity of other sectors, basic and applied research, and surveillance. The Centers for Disease Control, as the lead agency, assists State and local health departments in their injury prevention efforts and coordinates activities undertaken jointly by Federal agencies, State and local governments, and private-sector organizations. To meet the 1990 Objectives for the Nation with respect to injury prevention, both the public health and private-sector providers must recognize the injury problem of the 1980s. Without the support and involvement of the public health and provider communities and of the private sector, injuries and their costs will continue at their present alarming rates. The opportunity is great for promoting health, preventing injuries, and reducing associated costs to society. Making the best of this opportunity is our challenge during this decade.

Metabolic and immune effects of enteral ascorbic acid after burn trauma.

A burned guinea-pig model (30 per cent BSA) was used to study the effect of vitamin C on immune and metabolic responses following burn trauma. Thirty-six guinea-pigs received identical enteral diets (175 kcal/kg) except for the amount of vitamin C. Groups I, II, III and IV were given formulae delivering no vitamin C, (1 RDA) 15 mg/kg/day, 75 mg/kg/day or 375 mg/kg/day, respectively. Resistance to infection was evaluated by injecting each animal with 0.1 ml of 1 x 10(9) Staph. aureus 502A subcutaneously on day 10. On day 14, Staph. aureus abscesses were excised and the numbers of viable colonies were determined. Results showed no statistical differences between groups in the clearance of Staph. aureus. From days 2 to 12, animals in groups I, II and III had body weights of approximately 97 per cent of preburn body weight. Animals in group IV, however, had a body weight gain, 102 per cent of preburn body weight on day 12. Animals in group IV also had significantly lower metabolic rates on day 12 as compared to the animals in the other groups. These results suggest that large amounts of vitamin C have beneficial effects on the maintenance of body weight and metabolic rate following burn trauma.

Ultrasonic imaging using spatio-temporal matched field (STMF) processing--applications to liquid and solid waveguides.

This paper is devoted to imaging defects in liquid and solid ultrasonic waveguides. A new ultrasonic imaging technique, based on the spatio-temporal Green functions computation and cross-correlation, is presented. This technique extends the concept of matched field processing (MFP) used in ocean acoustics. Results of experiments conducted in water and in a solid Duralumin bar show that a strong improvement of the spatial resolution is observed with this MFP.

Time-reversed Lamb waves.

Lamb waves are extensively involved in plate structure inspection because of their guided nature. However, their dispersive nature often limits their use in flaw detection. In this paper we show that the use of a time-reversal mirror (TRM) allows to automatically compensate for the dispersive nature of Lamb waves. Experiments showing the spatial and temporal behavior of time-reversed Lamb waves, demonstrate the ability of TRMs to self-focus and to recompress dispersive pulses. This is demonstrated in a set of experiments in which a broadband ultrasonic laser source is used to simulate a point Lamb wave source and an optical interferometer is used to map the time reversed elastic field. We also show that TRM may work in pulse echo mode and allows to detect and to focus along large 2-D plates on any flaws located in the inspected area.

Directivity patterns of a moving thermoelastic source in solid media.

Generation of ultrasonic displacements under the thermoelastic effect has the advantage of being contactless and nondestructive. Unfortunately, the directivity and energy of the sound field of such a source are limited. In order to change these parameters the authors use a moving thermoelastic source by moving the laser beam on the solid surface. Moving the laser beam allows control of the ultrasonic beam directivity and an increase in the energy of the sound field. For this purpose, a large impulse of dye laser deflected by an acoustooptic cell working under the Bragg mode is used. Experimental results, in an aluminum sample give good agreement with the theoretical prediction.

Mount St. Helens eruptions: the acute respiratory effects of volcanic ash in a North American community.

After the May 18, 1980 volcanic eruption of Mount St. Helens, increases were observed in the number of patients who, because of asthma or bronchitis, sought medical care at emergency rooms of major hospitals in areas of ashfall. An interview study of 39 asthma and 44 bronchitis patients who became sick during the 4 wk following the eruption and who attended the emergency rooms of two major hospitals in Yakima, Washington, and of healthy matched controls indicated that a history of asthma, and possibly of bronchitis, were risk factors for contracting respiratory problems. The interview study also indicated that the main exacerbating factor was the elevated level of airborne total suspended particulates (in excess of 30,000 micrograms/m3) after the eruption. An interview study of 97 patients who had chronic lung disease and who lived in the same area as the above-mentioned patients, but who did not go to a hospital, showed that the ashfall exacerbated the condition in about one-third of these. Emergency planners and their geologist advisers should be aware that special preventive measures are justified for people with a history of asthma or chronic lung disease who live in communities at risk to volcanic ashfalls.

Canine serum levels of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs): a pilot study to evaluate the use of animal sentinels in environmental health.

To evaluate the potential for using domestic animals in the surveillance of environmental exposures, we collected serum samples for polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) analysis from nine dogs in Monroe County, Indiana, where people had been shown to have been exposed to PCBs. Nine dogs in Atlanta, Georgia, served as comparisons. Results indicated that canine serum PCB levels in contaminated areas (median = 3.0 ppb) tend to be greater than those in uncontaminated areas (median = 1.7 ppb [p = .06, Mann-Whitney U test]). This finding suggests that pet dogs may serve as sentinels of human exposure to environmental PCB contamination.