The aim of this research was to develop, characterize, and analyze carbon nanotubes as biosensors. In particular, pH and lactate molecules were targeted in this study. The reason these analytes were chosen was twofold. Firstly, when hydrogen ions and lactate are excreted in abnormal amounts in human sweat, they may be an indicator of a separate health problem. Thus, there is a clinical need for such biosensor applications. Secondly, pH and lactate detection represent two different types of electrochemical sensing techniques. The carbon nanotubes used in this research were single walled and existed in bundles. They were further functionalized with the carboxyl group to detect pH and the enzyme lactate oxidase (LOX) to detect lactate. All carbon nanotube samples were characterized to compare the materials with the attached biomolecules and without the presence of biomolecules. Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) was used to verify the attachment of both the carboxyl group COOH and LOX to the respective carbon nanotubes samples. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) was used to analyze the carbon nanotube lactate electrode sample to examine the structure of the electrode. Both pH and lactate biosensors were used in a standard three electrode electrochemical cell where the carbon nanotubes behaved as the working electrode with an Ag/AgCl reference electrode and a platinum wire as the counter electrode. Each sample was separately interrogated by several voltammetry techniques such as linear, cyclic, and square wave. Square wave voltammetry proved to be the best template to use to sense the target analytes. The functionalized CNT-COOH electrode displayed a linear response to pH 1-10, with a negative voltage shift corresponding to an increase in pH. Two types of lactate sensors were fabricated, both of which exhibited an increase in current corresponding to an increase in lactate concentration. The functionalized CNT-LOX on a glassy carbon electrode displayed an amperometric response in the range of 1 mM - 4 lactate. The CNT-LOX on a Si/ITO substrate displayed an amperometric response in the range of 0.01 M - 0.05 M lactate.

Cleanliness is one of the most essential virtues needed for a healthy lifestyle. While there have been several attempts made to characterize the cleanness of food, water and air by quality monitoring, there has been very little attention given to the cleanness characterization of clothing. Clothing worn next to the skin is easily contaminated by solid particles and fluid substances picked up from the surrounding environment and the skin surface. The fluid contamination could be either aqueous or oily in nature. Human sweat and sebum are one of the major constituents of oily organic soils found in worn clothing. Studies show that oily organic contaminations tend to remain in the clothing even after laundering, thereby creating malodors. While there are several industry established standards to evaluate visible solid contamination such as dust, dirt and colored stains, measuring the amount of invisible oily contaminations has been difficult. Moreover, many of the cleanness evaluation methods are subjective. This exploratory research aimed at measuring the level of sweat and sebum soiling in textile fabrics. Due to the affinity of ozone towards the unsaturated components of sebum, the feasibility of using the reaction rates of ozone as a metric to quantify the level of organic soiling in clothing was tested. The fabrics selected for this study were representative of the commonly used fiber composition in activewear and innerwear. The sweat and sebum used for fabric soiling were synthetic in nature. The fabric swatches were soiled with synthetic sebum at two extreme levels of soiling (0.3% and 1% of the fabric weight). A lab built four-chamber ozonation equipment was used for the experimentation with ozone. The reactivity of ozone with the soiled fabrics was measured in terms of ozone concentrations in ppb. The data obtained was plotted against time and the slopes were recorded. The plots showed a significant difference in the slopes indicating that the rate of ozone reactivity varied with the level of soiling. The slopes were steeper for higher levels of soils, particularly in the cotton samples. There was also a marked difference in the reaction rates between the cotton and polyester fabrics at the same level of soiling. The results obtained from the study fulfilled the hypothesis and looks promising for developing an objective method of measuring cleanness of clothing. Moreover, an adjunct qualitative study was conducted to assess the sensitivity of the human odor sensor to acknowledge the difference in the level of soiling through sensory analysis. The results from the study substantiated the need for an objective method of cleanness measurement. / text

Thesis (Ph.D.)--University of Wollongong, 2007. / Typescript. Includes bibliographical references.

Introdução: Apesar da falta de evidência cientifica, costuma-se pensar que crianças obesas apresentam desvantagens e são menos tolerantes ao se exercitarem no calor. Objetivo: Comparar a sudorese, balanço hidro-eletrolítico e a tolerância ao exercício no calor entre meninos pré-púberes obesos e eutróficos que pedalam no calor. Métodos: Trinta meninos pré-púberes foram alocados para o grupo de obesos (GO, n=15) e eutróficos (GE, n=15). Após uma sessão de avaliação, os meninos vieram ao laboratório para a sessão de exercício no calor (35C, 40-45%UR). Eles pedalavam por 30 minutos a 50-60% do seu VO2pico pré determinado. Para coletar o suor, adesivos foram fixados sobre 4 regiões da pele (costas, peito, antebraço e coxa) e as amostras foram analisadas para eletrólitos (AVL, 9180). Após o exercício, amostras de urina foram coletadas para análise de volume e eletrólitos para coleta regional de suor (AVL, 9180). Após a pedalada, os meninos descansaram por 10 min e pedalaram a 90% do VO2pico até a exaustão e o tempo de desempenho foi registrado. Durante a sessão, a ingestão “ad libitum” de uma bebida esportiva foi avaliada. Sensação subjetiva de calor foi avaliada durante toda a sessão. Resultados: A taxa de sudorese relativa a área de superfície corporal foi similar entre eutróficos e obesos (488  232 e 417  89.6 ml.m2.min-1, respectively; p=0,004) e as [Na+] e [Cl-] no suor foram maiores nos meninos obesos (p=0,005), enquanto a [K+] foi similar entre os grupos (p = 0,004). Ambos os grupos apresentaram um balanço hidroeletrolítico negativo, mas não existiu diferença entre os grupos. O tempo de desempenho foi maior no GE (89.6  64.1) que o GO (41.2  29.6 seg; p=0,005). A sensação subjetiva de calor foi maior no GO que no GE em todos os momentos (p = 0,005). Conclusão: Meninos pré-púberes obesos apresentaram uma similar taxa de sudorese relativa à área de superfície corporal, menor tolerância ao exercício no calor, e maior [Na+] e [Cl-] no suor comparado aos eutróficos. Crianças obesas não diferem das eutróficas em relação ao balanço hidroeletrolítico. / Introduction: Despite the lack of scientific evidence, it is generally thought that obese children have disadvantages and are less tolerant to exercise in the heat when compared to lean children. Purpose: To compare sweating, water and electrolyte balance, and exercise tolerance heat between obese and lean boys who cycled in the heat. Methods: Thirty prepubertal boys formed an obese (OG, n=15) and a lean (LG, n=15) group. After a screening session and evaluation of physical characteristics and VO2peak, the boys came to the laboratory for the exercise session in the heat (35C, 40-45%RU). They cycled for 30 minutes at 50-60% of their pre-determined VO2peak. To collect sweat, patches were attached on 4 regions of the skin (back, chest, forearm and thigh) and samples were analyzed for electrolytes (AVL 9180). After exercise, urine samples were collected for volume and electrolyte analyses (AVL 9180). After this cycling, the boys rested 10 min and cycled at 90% VO2peak until exhaustion and the performance time was registered. During the whole session, a sports drink was available to drink “ad libitum” and the intake was registered. Heat subject sensation (HSS) was evaluated during the whole session. Results: Sweat rate relative to body surface area was similar between lean and obesity boys (488  232 and 417  89.6 ml.m2.min-1, respectively; p=0.004) and sweat [Na+] and [Cl-] were higher in the obese boys (p=0.005), whereas [K+] was similar between groups (p = 0.004). Both groups showed a negative water and electrolyte balance, but there was no difference between groups. The performance time was longer in the LG (89.6  64.1) than OG (41.2  29.6 sec; p=0.005). The heat subjective sensation was higher in GO than in GE at all times (p = 0.005). Conclusion: Obese prepubescent boys showed similar sweat rate relative to body surface area, lower exercise heat tolerance, and increased [Na+] and [Cl-] sweat loss compared to lean children. Obese children did not differ from lean children related to water and electrolyte balance.

Introdução: Apesar da falta de evidência cientifica, costuma-se pensar que crianças obesas apresentam desvantagens e são menos tolerantes ao se exercitarem no calor. Objetivo: Comparar a sudorese, balanço hidro-eletrolítico e a tolerância ao exercício no calor entre meninos pré-púberes obesos e eutróficos que pedalam no calor. Métodos: Trinta meninos pré-púberes foram alocados para o grupo de obesos (GO, n=15) e eutróficos (GE, n=15). Após uma sessão de avaliação, os meninos vieram ao laboratório para a sessão de exercício no calor (35C, 40-45%UR). Eles pedalavam por 30 minutos a 50-60% do seu VO2pico pré determinado. Para coletar o suor, adesivos foram fixados sobre 4 regiões da pele (costas, peito, antebraço e coxa) e as amostras foram analisadas para eletrólitos (AVL, 9180). Após o exercício, amostras de urina foram coletadas para análise de volume e eletrólitos para coleta regional de suor (AVL, 9180). Após a pedalada, os meninos descansaram por 10 min e pedalaram a 90% do VO2pico até a exaustão e o tempo de desempenho foi registrado. Durante a sessão, a ingestão “ad libitum” de uma bebida esportiva foi avaliada. Sensação subjetiva de calor foi avaliada durante toda a sessão. Resultados: A taxa de sudorese relativa a área de superfície corporal foi similar entre eutróficos e obesos (488  232 e 417  89.6 ml.m2.min-1, respectively; p=0,004) e as [Na+] e [Cl-] no suor foram maiores nos meninos obesos (p=0,005), enquanto a [K+] foi similar entre os grupos (p = 0,004). Ambos os grupos apresentaram um balanço hidroeletrolítico negativo, mas não existiu diferença entre os grupos. O tempo de desempenho foi maior no GE (89.6  64.1) que o GO (41.2  29.6 seg; p=0,005). A sensação subjetiva de calor foi maior no GO que no GE em todos os momentos (p = 0,005). Conclusão: Meninos pré-púberes obesos apresentaram uma similar taxa de sudorese relativa à área de superfície corporal, menor tolerância ao exercício no calor, e maior [Na+] e [Cl-] no suor comparado aos eutróficos. Crianças obesas não diferem das eutróficas em relação ao balanço hidroeletrolítico. / Introduction: Despite the lack of scientific evidence, it is generally thought that obese children have disadvantages and are less tolerant to exercise in the heat when compared to lean children. Purpose: To compare sweating, water and electrolyte balance, and exercise tolerance heat between obese and lean boys who cycled in the heat. Methods: Thirty prepubertal boys formed an obese (OG, n=15) and a lean (LG, n=15) group. After a screening session and evaluation of physical characteristics and VO2peak, the boys came to the laboratory for the exercise session in the heat (35C, 40-45%RU). They cycled for 30 minutes at 50-60% of their pre-determined VO2peak. To collect sweat, patches were attached on 4 regions of the skin (back, chest, forearm and thigh) and samples were analyzed for electrolytes (AVL 9180). After exercise, urine samples were collected for volume and electrolyte analyses (AVL 9180). After this cycling, the boys rested 10 min and cycled at 90% VO2peak until exhaustion and the performance time was registered. During the whole session, a sports drink was available to drink “ad libitum” and the intake was registered. Heat subject sensation (HSS) was evaluated during the whole session. Results: Sweat rate relative to body surface area was similar between lean and obesity boys (488  232 and 417  89.6 ml.m2.min-1, respectively; p=0.004) and sweat [Na+] and [Cl-] were higher in the obese boys (p=0.005), whereas [K+] was similar between groups (p = 0.004). Both groups showed a negative water and electrolyte balance, but there was no difference between groups. The performance time was longer in the LG (89.6  64.1) than OG (41.2  29.6 sec; p=0.005). The heat subjective sensation was higher in GO than in GE at all times (p = 0.005). Conclusion: Obese prepubescent boys showed similar sweat rate relative to body surface area, lower exercise heat tolerance, and increased [Na+] and [Cl-] sweat loss compared to lean children. Obese children did not differ from lean children related to water and electrolyte balance.

The final publication is available at http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/pcmr.12297. Natsuko Okamoto et al. A melanocyte–melanoma precursor niche in sweat glands of volar skin. Pigment Cell & Melanoma Research. Volume 27, Issue 6, pages 1039–1050, November 2014 / 京都大学 / 0048 / 新制・論文博士 / 博士(医学) / 乙第12890号 / 論医博第2090号 / 新制||医||1007(附属図書館) / 31644 / 京都大学大学院医学研究科医学専攻 / (主査)教授 野田 亮, 教授 羽賀 博典, 教授 鈴木 茂彦 / 学位規則第4条第2項該当 / Doctor of Medical Science / Kyoto University / DFAM

Corduroy Jones is contacted by a local promoter to reunite his band Streetwise Preacher. Over a three week span, Corduroy and his bandmates Tony and Johnny go through a series of events leading up to their Halloween Night reunion show.

No description available.

M.S.

The electrochemical enzymatic electrodes dominate the world market for blood glucose monitoring devices for controlling, as well as reducing the detrimental effects of diabetes. However, the enzymatic electrodes exhibit constraints restricting their reliance on the enzyme’s activity which can be influenced by the external, and the environmental factors such as temperature, pH, and humidity etc. However, the greater thickness of the enzyme layer hinders the performance of the glucose biosensors resulting in signal dampening or loss. In addition, the selectivity of the electrodes is affected by the interferents present in blood. Moreover, the invasive nature of the electrodes is a major problem considering the patient’s perspective. In contrast, recent research activities demonstrated that the electrochemical non-enzymatic electrodes possess huge potential for inexpensive and highly sensitive glucose monitoring devices, yet these electrodes are invasive in nature. Therefore, the purpose of this research was to fabricate electrochemical non-enzymatic non-invasive electrodes for sweat glucose monitoring devices. A very simple low-cost fabrication technique has been shown to make the facile, flexible, and inexpensive electrodes to detect sugar in sweat bio-analyte for a non-invasive glucose monitoring system using the native stable Cu oxides (CuNOx), Cu2O, layers grown on 35 µm thin Cu foils keeping under ambient conditions (25℃- and 760-mm Hg) for more than 2 years so that the oxide layers are full-grown, and fully stable. Moreover, the foils also annealed at various temperatures such as 160, 230, and 280℃ with new temperature profile for reducing the required time of growing stable oxides and producing oxides with larger crystallized structures with higher surface – to – volume ratio. The X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM) results supported that at 280℃ annealing temperature the surface, mostly, transformed into highly electrocatalytic CuO with larger grain sizes, crystallized structures, and the uniform layer of ~ 140 nm. The electrochemical characterization, and sensing performance of the electrodes have been done by cyclic voltammetry (CV), one of the excellent and well accepted electrochemical methods, with the 3 – electrode configuration of the potentiostat. The CuNOx sensors of having ~10 nm layer of stable Cu2O exhibited a sensitivity of 603.42 μA mM−1 cm−2, a linear range beyond the desired limit of 7.00 mM with excellent linearity (R2 = 0.9983) and a low limit of detection of 94.21 μM. In contrast, the new annealing profile has. the CuNOx sensors annealed at 280 ºC using new temperature profile provided twin calibration curves of linear ranges of 0.05 – 1.00 mM and 1.00 – 7.00 mM, that applicable for sweat and blood glucose sensing, respectively, and exhibited a sensitivity of 1795 μA mM−1 cm−2, a linear range up to the desired limit of 1.00 mM for sweat glucose sensing with excellent linearity (R2 = 0.9844), and a lower limit of detection of 135.39 μM. In addition, it has been shown that the peak electro-oxidation current of glucose sensing is linearly related with the squire root of the annealing temperature, √T. This can help to figure out the required applied annealing temperature for getting desired peak electro-oxidation current of glucose in a human health monitoring system. / Dissertation / Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)