Biomedical subjects

Robert H Hall

Publications and source records attributed to Robert H Hall.

9 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed2006

Photoacoustic infrared spectroscopy of Syncrude post-extraction oil sand.

Rapid- and step-scan photoacoustic (PA) infrared spectra of three fractions of a Syncrude post-extraction oil sand were analyzed in detail in this work. The rapid-scan spectra showed that the samples were comprised primarily of kaolinite, quartz, silica, siderite, and residual hydrocarbons, and that the proportions of these constituents were different for each fraction. Depth profiling of the three post-extraction oil sands was accomplished using both rapid- and step-scan PA infrared spectroscopy. The results confirmed that kaolinite is more abundant in the near-surface region, whereas quartz and hydrocarbons are concentrated at greater depths. The modulation frequency dependence of the PA intensities for all three fractions was consistent with a model in which the samples are thermally thick; in other words, the thermal diffusion length (roughly equal to the sampling depth) was less than the particle sizes of all three samples. The results of this study are consistent with published reports on the PA infrared spectra of fine tailings generated during bitumen extraction and the spectroscopic and thermophysical characterization of clay soils and an appropriate model clay.

Aluminum Silicates↗

PubMed2005

Enteric vaccines for pediatric use. Workshop summary.

Diarrheal diseases remain a major cause of death in children under 5 in less developed countries (LDCs). Vaccine development and implementation offers the best near-term approach to alleviating this problem. For this reason, a workshop to examine the possibilities for making enteric vaccines available to meet the specific needs of children in LDCs was convened in Virginia on April 24-26, 2004. Discussants considered research and development needs, regulatory and business issues, and previous experiences with enteric vaccine development and implementation. No insurmountable roadblocks to progress in this area were noted, and the possibility currently exists that properly supported efforts will enable the realization of enteric vaccines for pediatric use.

Bacterial Vaccines↗

PubMed2005

Fluorescence rejection in Raman spectra of Syncrude Sweet Blend distillation fractions.

Four techniques for the reduction or elimination of fluorescence from Raman spectra of Syncrude process samples were examined in this study. These methods are based on the retrieval of Raman bands from differential, or derivative spectra. Differential data were generated by subtracting similar spectra of a given sample obtained in three ways: (a) shifted detection utilizing an array detector and two successive spectrometer settings; (b) shifted excitation (dispersive Raman) where the two spectra are recorded using neighbouring laser lines and ordinary photon counting; (c) shifted excitation (FT-Raman) in which the laser frequency is changed in software before acquisition of the second spectrum. In addition to these differential techniques, derivative spectra were acquired directly with a dispersive Raman system by modulating the wavelength during scanning. These fluorescence rejection methods were applied to two groups of Syncrude Sweet Blend distillation fractions. For light gas oils (boiling range, 195-343 degrees C) the ratio of monocyclic and bicyclic aromatic species was determined and bands due to aliphatic CH(n) groups were characterized. Heavy gas oils (343-524 degrees C) yielded bands that allowed quantitation of monocyclic, bicyclic and total aromatic groups. Bands due to aliphatics were also identified for the heavy gas oils. These results constitute a significant advance compared to the information obtainable using conventional dispersive and FT-Raman spectroscopy for the analysis of hydrocarbon distillation fractions.

Hydrocarbons↗

PubMed2005

Preoperative "fentanyl challenge" as a tool to estimate postoperative opioid dosing in chronic opioid-consuming patients.

UNLABELLED: When opioids are used for postoperative pain control, it is useful to define the dose-response relationship for analgesia and respiratory depression. We studied 20 chronically opioid-consuming patients having elective multilevel spine fusion. Preoperatively, each patient received a fentanyl infusion of 2 microg x kg(-1) x min(-1) until the respiratory rate was <5 breaths/min. Pharmacokinetic simulations were used to estimate the effect site concentration at the time of respiratory depression and to predict the patient-controlled analgesia settings that would provide an effect-site fentanyl concentration that was 30% of the concentration associated with respiratory depression. Postoperatively, patient-controlled analgesia settings were adjusted to achieve 2-3 demand doses per hour. At steady-state patient-controlled analgesia settings, arterial blood gases and plasma fentanyl levels were measured. Sixteen patients required no adjustment or one patient-controlled analgesia adjustment. The median arterial Pco(2) level was 41 mm Hg and the interquartile range was 39-46 mm Hg. Plasma fentanyl levels demonstrated a significant correlation to the estimated effect-site concentration associated with respiratory depression determined during the preoperative fentanyl challenge. A preoperative fentanyl challenge used with pharmacokinetic simulations may be a useful tool to individualize the administration of analgesics to chronically opioid-consuming patients. IMPLICATIONS: In chronically opioid-consuming patients, doses causing respiratory depression and analgesia may differ from those in opioid-naive individuals. A preoperative infusion of fentanyl, used in conjunction with pharmacokinetic simulation, may be a valuable tool for identifying clinical end-points, such as respiratory depression and analgesia, and individualizing postoperative treatment of pain in patients who chronically consume opioids.

Analgesics, Opioid↗

PubMed2003

FT-Raman and photoacoustic infrared spectroscopy of Syncrude heavy gas oil distillation fractions.

FT-Raman and photoacoustic (PA) infrared spectra of six distillation fractions derived from Syncrude heavy gas oil (HGO), which has a boiling range from 343 to 524 degrees C, were analyzed in detail in this study. Most of the information on the fingerprint region (200-1,800 cm(-1)) is provided by the FT-Raman spectra, which display approximately 30 bands that are assignable to functional groups in alkanes or aromatics. Monocyclic, bicyclic and tricyclic aromatics in the six fractions were also monitored using bands in this region. The C-H stretching region in both the FT-Raman and PA infrared spectra of the HGO distillation fractions was analyzed according to a curve-fitting algorithm used in previous investigations of samples with lower boiling points. The PA spectra of the HGO fractions were also analyzed by integration. The curve-fitting results show that the frequencies of the 11 Raman and 8 infrared bands used to model the aliphatic (approximately 2,775-3,000 cm(-1)) parts of the respective spectra are approximately constant across the entire HGO boiling range. These band positions are consistent with the results obtained in earlier studies of other distillation fractions obtained from Syncrude sweet blend. Both curve-fitting and integration show that the respective proportions of CH(2) and CH(3) groups do not vary significantly within the HGO region.

Carbon↗

PubMed2003

FT-Raman and photoacoustic infrared spectroscopy of syncrude light gas oil distillation fractions.

FT-Raman and photoacoustic (PA) infrared spectra of 12 distillation fractions derived from Syncrude light gas oil (LGO), which has a boiling range from 195 to 343 degrees C, were analyzed in detail in this study. In the fingerprint region (200-1800 cm(-1)) most of the information is obtained from the FT-Raman spectra, which display 36 bands that are assignable to various alkyl or aryl functional groups. Monocyclic, bicyclic and tricyclic aromatics in the 12 fractions were also characterized using Raman bands in this region. The corresponding section of the infrared spectra is much simpler, displaying a relatively small number of bands due to either aromatic or aliphatic CH(n) (n=1, 2 or 3) groups. The Cz.sbnd;H stretching region in both FT-Raman and PA infrared spectra of the LGO distillation fractions was curve-fitted according to procedures established in previous investigations of Syncrude samples with various boiling ranges. The PA spectra of the LGO fractions were also analyzed using an accepted integration strategy that requires no a priori assumptions with regard to the number of constituent bands or their shapes. The curve-fitting results show that the frequencies of the 11 Raman and eight infrared bands used to model the aliphatic ( approximately 2775-3000 cm(-1)) parts of the respective spectra decrease systematically as the median boiling points of the LGO fractions increase. These band positions are consistent with those determined in earlier studies of other distillation fractions. Both curve fitting and integration show that the abundance of CH(2) groups increases at the expense of CH(3) groups as the boiling points of the fractions increase within the LGO region.

Acoustics↗

PubMed2003

Promoting men's health.

BACKGROUND: In the past men have declined to follow health authority recommendations to go to their general practitioner for preventive health checks. The BEACH report on male consultations in general practice in Australia 1999-2000 reveals low GP utilisation by men, high smoking rates and high at risk alcohol consumption. Although attendance rates increase in men over 45 years of age, problems managed at that stage are frequently chronic in nature, and rates of obesity are high. OBJECTIVE: This article discusses men's health needs and approaches to preventive health in men, drawing from the experience of nine Victorian projects on Rural Men's Health Promotion. DISCUSSION: At different times in their lives men have differing health experiences and needs, and different degrees of interest in improving their health. Strategies are required at a community level to educate and encourage men to attend GPs and engage in health prevention. At a practice level we need to be employing strategies to encourage men to attend, including appropriate appointment times and going to where men are in workplaces and sporting clubs. Within the consultation when men do present, we need to address the presenting problem but also encourage further health discussion relating to risk factors, and improving resilience.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2002

Biosensor technologies for detecting microbiological foodborne hazards.

The convergence of molecular biology and miniaturized instrumentation has accelerated development of biosensors with the specifications necessary to support pathogen reduction and quality programs in the food supply. Advances in optoelectronics, thin layer deposition, and microfabrication have provided many options for achieving microbiological detection goals. Some promising technologies are reviewed.

Biosensing Techniques↗

PubMed2002

Purification and characterization of a potent hemolytic toxin with phospholipase A2 activity from the venom of Indian Russell's viper.

A potent toxin with phospholipase A2 (PLA2) and hemolytic activity in vitro was purified from the Russell's viper venom of eastern India (RVV-EI). The purified protein (RVV-PFIIc') of 15.3 kDa molecular weight, and a lethal toxicity dose (LD50i.p.) of 0.1 mg/kg body weight, was the most toxic PLA2 so far reported from the Indian subcontinent. The material also possessed anticoagulant activity as it enhanced the prothrombin induced plasma clotting time in vitro. The PLA2 toxin (RVV-PFIIc') was shown to be different from other PLA2s of RVV in respect to one or more of these parameters e.g. molecular weight, isoelectric pH, in vivo toxicity, specific activity of the enzyme and certain other biological activities. The first 19 amino terminal sequence (NLFQFAEMIVKMTGKEAVH) of RVV-PFIIc' showed variable degree of homology (42.1-94.7%) with those of other RVV-PLA2s described in the literature. Antisera raised against RVV-EI or RVV-PFIIc', though completely neutralized the in vivo lethal toxicity of RVV-EI or RVV-PFIIc', failed to inhibit their PLA2 activity in vitro thereby suggesting that in vivo toxicity and in vitro activity of the enzyme may not be directly related. Apart from RVV-PFIIc', at least two other PLA2 isozymes were found to be present in RVV-EI that were distinct from RVV-PFIIc' in respect to their molecular, biological as well as serological properties. The significance of these and related data in antivenom therapy is discussed.

Animals↗