Andrew Gill

Predator avoidance is fundamental for survival and it can be particularly challenging for prey animals if physical movement away from a predatory threat is restricted. Many sharks and rays begin life within an egg capsule that is attached to the sea bed. The vulnerability of this sedentary life stage is exacerbated in skates (Rajidae) as the compulsory ventilatory activity of embryos makes them conspicuous to potential predators. Embryos can reduce this risk by mediating ventilatory activity if they detect the presence of a predator using an acute electrosense. To determine how early in embryonic life predator elicited behavioral responses can occur, the reactions of three different age groups (1/3 developed, 2/3 developed, and near hatching) of embryonic thornback rays Raja clavata were tested using predator-type electric field stimuli. Egg capsules were exposed to continuous or intermittent stimuli in order to assess varying predator-type encounter scenarios on the ventilatory behavior of different developmental stages. All embryos reacted with a "freeze response" following initial electric field (E-field) exposure, ceasing ventilatory behavior in response to predator presence, demonstrating electroreceptive functionality for the first time at the earliest possible stage in ontogeny. This ability coincided with the onset of egg ventilatory behavior and may represent an effective means to enhance survival. A continuous application of stimuli over time revealed that embryos can adapt their behavior and resume normal activity, whereas when presented intermittently, the E-field resulted in a significant reduction in overall ventilatory activity across all ages. Recovery from stimuli was significantly quicker in older embryos, potentially indicative of the trade-off between avoiding predation and adequate respiration. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Develop Neurobiol, 2015.

In this study, we report the production of amine functionalized nanodiamond. The amine functionalized nanodiamond forms a conformal monolayer on a negatively charged surface produced via plasma polymerization of acrylic acid. Nanodiamond terminated surfaces were studied as substrates for neuronal cell culture. NG108-15 neuroblastoma-glioma hybrid cells were successfully cultured upon amine functionalized nanodiamond coated surfaces for between 1 and 7 d. Additionally, primary dorsal root ganglion (DRG) neurons and Schwann cells isolated from Wistar rats were also successfully cultured over a period of 21 d illustrating the potential of the coating for applications in the treatment of peripheral nerve injury.

In Australia there has been only limited experience with ethics consultation, and there are no reports of practical details. In 1999, the Institutional Clinical Ethics Committee at John Hunter Hospital, Newcastle, initiated an Acute Clinical Ethics Service (ACES) to formalise a perceived need within the hospital for ethics consultation. This need had previously been met by ad-hoc councils of "wise men". The ACES approach uses a team of people with different perspectives to provide an ethics consultation in a timely manner. Our initial experience of ACES has shown that a formal process of ethics consultation may be preferable to informal approaches in many circumstances; even when genuine consensus is not possible, an ethics consultation nevertheless provides an opportunity to share different points of view and helps to avoid practices that may be unacceptable. The specific implications of acute ethics consultations are not yet fully elucidated.

This work reports first steps towards the development of artificial neural stem cell microenvironments for the control and assessment of neural stem cell behaviour. Stem cells have been shown to be found in specific, supportive microenvironments (niches) and are believed to play an important role in tissue regeneration mechanisms. These environments are intricate spaces with chemical and biological features. Here we present work towards the development of physically defined microdevices in which neural and neural stem cells can be studied in 3-dimensions. We have approached this challenge by creating bespoke, microstructured polymer environments using both 2-photon polymerisation and soft lithography techniques. Specifically, we have designed and fabricated biodegradable microwell-shaped devices using an in house synthetized polymer (4-arm photocurable poly-lactid acid) on a bespoke 2-photon polymerisation (2PP) set-up. We have studied swelling and degradation of the constructs as w...

Here we present results on charged hadron production in an experiment using tracking detectors with the highest possible spatial resolution: emulsion chambers. A sample of the most central collisions will be compared to the predictions of the Lund Model, which does an accurate job of representing conventional (non-quark-gluon plasma) physics in nuclear reactions. We can use the high resolution of

The production of user-defined 3D microstructures from biocompatible and biodegradable materials via free-form fabrication is an important step to create off-the-shelf technologies to be used as tissue engineering scaffolds. One method of achieving this is the microstereolithography of block copolymers, allowing high resolution microstructuring of materials with tuneable physical properties. A versatile protocol for the production and photofunctionalisation of pre-polymers for microstereolithography is presented along with a discussion of the possible microstereolithography set-ups and previous work in the field.

... V. Melissinaki1, AA Gill2, I. Ortega2, M. Vamvakaki1, A. Ranella1, C. Fotakis1, M. Farsari1*, and F. Claeyssens2. 1Institute of Electronic Structure and Laser (IESL), Foundation for Research and Technology Hellas (FORTH), N. Plastira 100, 70013, Heraklion, Crete, Greece. ...

In this study, we explore the production of well-defined macroscopic scaffolds with two-photon polymerization (2PP) and their use as neural tissue engineering scaffolds. We also demonstrate that these 3D scaffolds can be replicated via soft lithography, which increases production efficiency. Photopolymerizable polylactic acid (PLA) was used to produce scaffolds by 2PP and soft lithography. We assessed the biocompatibility of these scaffolds using an SH-SY5Y human neuronal cell line and primary cultured rat Schwann cells (of direct relevance to the repair of nerve injuries). A Comet assay with SH-SY5Y human neuronal cells revealed minimal DNA damage after washing the photocured material for 7 days in ethanol. Additionally, thin films and 3D scaffolds of the photocured PLA sustained a high degree of Schwann cell purity (99%), enabled proliferation over 7 days and provided a suitable substrate for supporting Schwann cell adhesion such that bi-polar and tri-polar morphologies were observed. Evidence of orthogonally aligned and organized actin thin filaments and the formation of focal contacts were observed for the majority of Schwann cells. In summary, this work supports the use of PLA as a suitable material for supporting Schwann cell growth and in turn use of 3D soft lithography for the synthesis of neural scaffolds in nerve repair.

ABSTRACT An improved synthesis of (2E,4Z)-6-(benzyloxy)-4-bromohexa-2,4-dien-1-ol has been devised. This new route increases the throughput and yield of the diene product by circumventing a low yielding preparation of boronic acid intermediate as well as removing the need to use multi-gram quantities of highly toxic thallium salts. In the process of developing this new route, a higher yielding preparation of (E)-3-hydroxyprop-1-enylboronic acid was also achieved.

... Dressel k , LE Eremenko c , GZ Eligbaeva c , EM Friedlander b , SI Gadzhieva c , AS Gaitinov c , ER Ganssauge k , S. Garpman a , SG Gerassimov a , A. Gill g , J. Grote i , KG Gulamov c , UC Gulyamov f , S. Hackel k , HH Heckman b , B. Judek m , S. Kachroo h , FG Kadyrov c , H ...

The aims of this study were to describe the use of naloxone during neonatal resuscitation in Australia, and to assess this against the published guidelines for use. The states of Queensland, South Australia and the Australian Capital Territory record the administration of naloxone in their statutory state perinatal database collections, covering all deliveries within each state. Relevant information was extracted from these databases. In addition, we interrogated the perinatal database from a single tertiary perinatal centre in Western Australia and conducted a chart review of the 100 most recent infants identified as receiving naloxone. A total of 531 058 liveborn infants from 1994 through 2004 were assessed. The administration of naloxone fell from 4% to 1% of liveborn infants during this period. There was inconsistent compliance with published guidelines. Forty-two per cent of infants received naloxone without documentation of prior ventilatory support, 14% of infants received naloxone without prior administration of maternal narcotics and 80% of infants were not monitored following naloxone administration. The prevalent route of administration was intramuscular. Despite a steady decrease in the use of naloxone for neonatal resuscitation, there is a considerable lack of compliance with published guidelines for use. Given the scant evidence supporting naloxone use during neonatal resuscitation and increasing documentation of potential deleterious effects, perhaps it is time to remove naloxone from our resuscitaires.

Early extubation is desirable in preterm neonates to minimise the risk of complications associated with prolonged intubation. The association of significant pulmonary haemorrhage (PH) with extubation in a cluster of very preterm infants instigated an assessment of ductal and pulmonary haemodynamic effects of early extubation. This is a prospective observational study in 20 neonates (gestation <28 weeks) undergoing early extubation. Echocardiography was performed 5 min pre-extubation and 20 min post-extubation to continuous positive airway pressure. Normal cardiac anatomy was ascertained. Left pulmonary artery (LPA) and ductus arteriosus diameter and flows were recorded. Doppler spectral pattern of velocity was recorded over a minimum of four cycles. Median (range) gestation, birthweight and age at extubation were 26.5 (24.0-28.0) weeks, 932 (595-1260) g and 18 (6-51) h, respectively. There was no significant change in pulmonary flow post-extubation: ductal size: (pre--1.2 (0-3.3) mm, post--1.0 (0-3.5) mm); ductal flow: (pre--44 (0-515), post--49 (0-441) mL/kg/min); LPA diameter: (pre--2.4 (1.9-3.8) mm, post--2.6 (1.9-3.4) mm); LPA flow: (pre--112 (59-255), post--122 (58-188) mL/kg/min. There were 3 out of 20 infants who developed PH at the post-natal age of 2, 11 and 16 days after extubation. Ductal and LPA flow did not change significantly after extubation in infants with or without PH irrespective of the ductal status. Early extubation was not associated with a significant change from baseline in ductal and pulmonary flow in extremely preterm infants.

This paper describes the variation in neonatal nosocomial infection rates across 26 contributing units of the Australian and New Zealand Neonatal Network. Data collected during the years 2002-2004 have been analysed comprising a total of 3180 infants of <1000g birthweight and 260,694 hospital-days. Overall infection rates of 5.02 [95% confidence interval (CI): 4.75, 5.30] infections per 1000 days total admission for infants of <1000g birthweight are comparable with other published data. Censoring data to the first 35 days of admission demonstrated an infection rate of 13.88 (95% CI: 13.14, 14.65) infections per 1000 days. A standardised, expected, infection rate for each unit was calculated by correcting for gestational age and gender. Analysis of the difference between observed and expected infection rates demonstrated considerable variation in nosocomial infection rates between participating units. Three units demonstrated a nosocomial infection rate significantly (P<0.005) below the population value. Further analysis of clinical practice variations within these units may uncover potential beneficial practices for the network.

Direct inguinal hernias occur in newborn babies, both term and premature. Five cases are reported to illustrate three types of direct hernia. The first is a direct weakness without associated significant indirect hernial sac; the second, a sliding direct hernia. The third might be called a 'secondary' direct weakness resulting from a primarily indirect hernia which assumes such large size and develops such a wide neck at the internal ring that the posterior wall of the inguinal canal is stretched and weakened. This is most likely to occur in very low birthweight babies, who develop giant inguinoscrotal hernias. Full exploration and repair of the posterior wall of the inguinal canal should be performed in such babies with huge indirect hernial sacs and in all babies where the size of the processus vaginalis identified at the internal ring is not consistent with the hernial swelling identified clinically. Repair should be performed in conventional manner with non-absorbable sutures reinforcing the transversalis fascia. Overlying Bassini repair with or without Tanner's slide can be performed. The repair should be carried out before the baby leaves a high dependency area.

In functional languages intermediate data structures are often used as glue to connect separate parts of a program together. Deforestation is the process of automatically removing intermediate data structures. In this thesis we present and analyse a new approach to deforestation. ...

Multiplicity distributions and pseudo-rapidity distributions of charged particles from oxygen-induced nuclear reactions at 14.6 and 60 GeV/nucleon are presented. The data were taken from the EMU-O1 emulsion stacks and compared to simulations from the Lund Monte Carlo Model (FRITIOF).

Mumby, Peter J., Micheli, Fiorenza, Dahlgren, Craig P., Litvin, Steven Y., Gill, Andrew B., Brumbaugh, Daniel R., Broad, Kenneth, Sanchirico, James N., Kappel, Carrie V., Harborne, Alastair R. and Holmes, Katherine E. (2006) Marine parks need sharks? Response. Science, 312 5773: 527-528. ... Mumby, Peter J. Micheli, Fiorenza Dahlgren, Craig P. Litvin, Steven Y. Gill, Andrew B. Brumbaugh, Daniel R. Broad, Kenneth Sanchirico, James N. Kappel, Carrie V. Harborne, Alastair R. Holmes, Katherine E.