Are gel blasters a safe toy? A study into their kinetic energy per unit area.

Gel blasters are currently imported and marketed as children's toys in Australia. Gel blasters closely imitate the appearance of many genuine firearms of all types and are designed to propel small hydrated gel balls of approximately 7-8 mm in diameter, by means of compressed air or gas. They are considered illegal in all states of Australia except Queensland but these items aren't specifically written into most state firearms legislation. However, to be considered as children's toys, they must not exceed the recommended kinetic energy (KE) of 2500 J/m2 as outlined in the Australian/New Zealand Standard Safety of Toys - Part 1: Safety aspects related to mechanical and physical properties (Safety of Toys ASNZS ISO 8124.1:2019) [1]. The aim of this study was to determine if a range of gel blasters would conform to the Australian & New Zealand Standard and have projectiles with kinetic energy of less than 2500 J/m2. Utilising the testing procedure outlined in ASNZS ISO 8124.1:2019 (Australian/New Zealand Standard Safety of Toys - Part 1: Safety Aspects related to Mechanical and Physical Properties (Safety of Toys ASNZS ISO 8124.1:2019) [1]), a range of gel blasters were tested. In addition, a number of NERF™ toys and airsoft firearms were tested to provide reference between an accepted child's toy and items considered to be a firearm, such as airsoft firearms. A NERF™ toy (commonly referred to as a blaster) fires a foam projectile at very low velocities through direct spring/striker impact to the rear of the dart, battery-powered motorised flywheel, or by compressed air generated by a small piston inside a cylinder. Airsoft firearms are designed to fire hard plastic balls (typically 6 mm in diameter) and can achieve velocities upwards of 90 m/s with the potential to cause injuries to soft tissue. Results showed the KE per unit area of pellets fired from airsoft firearms significantly exceeded the recommended 2500 J/m2 ranging from approximately 10,620 J/m2 to 69,650 J/m2. Twenty of the twenty-four gel blasters tested (83 %) exceeded 2500 J/m2, with values ranging between 2112 J/m2 and 42,645 J/m2. NERF™ toys were found to be notably under 2500 J/m2, ranging from approximately 1230 J/m2 to 2129 J/m2. The results suggest that the majority of gel blasters (items of seizures) tested, currently being imported and marketed as children's toys in Australia, easily exceed 2500 J/m2 as outlined in the ASNZS ISO 8124.1:2019 and are not safe to be marketed and sold as children's toys. Reinforcing the position of most jurisdictions, the Australian Federal Police (AFP) in Canberra made the following statement in 2019: 'ACT (Australian Capital Territory) Policing is reminding the public that replica firearms known as gel blasters are illegal in the ACT'. Taking the results determined throughout this research and the statement by AFP into consideration, gel blasters should not be exempt from control under Firearms Legislation because they are claimed to be toy.

Understanding the role of environmental quality attributes in food-related rural enterprise competitiveness.

This paper examines the role of environmental quality attributes in food-related rural enterprise competitiveness in Denmark, using qualitative interviews. The results of the analysis demonstrate that in the quest to minimize small-market and location limitations, food-related rural enterprises are increasingly offering products with labels such as 'quality', 'green', or 'ethical' and 'sustainability' to justify high premiums for their products. Thus, environmental quality attributes are becoming prevalent and important business strategy for rural food-related enterprises in the selected communities. The results also establish that undertaking sustainable activities has been influenced by institutional policies that reward environmental conservation with subsidies and other resources. These findings contribute to our understanding of the growing relevance of environmental quality attributes in food-related rural enterprise performance.

The use of ortho-Phenylenediamine and Zar-Pro™ strips for the development of bloodmarks on a dark-coloured, non-porous surface.

The development of fingerprints in blood on a dark-coloured surface can be difficult. Contrast between the bloodmark and the surface can be difficult to achieve using photography and chemical reagents. The use of haem-reagent ortho-Phenylenediamine (OPD) and Zar-Pro™ strips in the enhancement of bloody impressions were investigated. Depletions of bloodmarks were deposited on black ceramic tiles and aged up to 90 days. OPD, Acid Yellow 7, and Hungarian Red were applied to these tiles and the developed fingermarks were compared using a numerical score system. Zar-Pro™ strips were applied to chemically treated and untreated bloodmarks alike. OPD proved to be effective at developing bloodmarks aged up to 90 days, including latent marks. Despite this capability, OPD did not perform as well as Acid Yellow 7 and so the continued use of Acid Yellow 7 is recommended. Zar-Pro™ strips were able to lift bloodmarks aged up to 90days as well as those chemically treated with either: OPD, Hungarian Red, Acid Yellow 7, or Amido Black although ridge detail was poor. Additional investigation into the capabilities of Zar-Pro™ strips for this purpose is recommended.

The role of family size, employment and education of parents in the prevalence of intestinal parasitic infections in school children in Accra.

INTRODUCTION: Intestinal parasitic infections (IPIs) in school children are a public health problem in most developing countries. METHODS AND PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: A cross sectional survey was conducted from May to July 2016 with school children living in overcrowded urban slums in Accra, Ghana. A simple random sample of 300 children aged 2-9 years was collected. The study used structured pre-tested questionnaire and stool tests to obtain information on epidemiological, sanitation habits, employment and education status of parents and children. Data were analysed using appropriate descriptive, univariate and multivariable logistic tools of analyses. The mean age of participants was 6.9 years and 49% were males and 51.3% were females. Giardia lamblia was found in males (10.95%) and females (7.79%). Very low prevalences for Schistosoma mansoni, Ascaris lumbricoides, Taenia species, and Entamoeba coli were detected. Whilst children from mothers (62.2%) and fathers (55.6%) with no education were often infected, a few children from fathers (22.2%) and mothers (6.7%) with no jobs were infected. Most of the infected children's (93.7%) parents did not have any knowledge of IPIs. The educational and employment status of the mothers [p = 1.0 and p = 0.422] was not significant, however, the family size was a predisposing factor (p = 0.031) for parasitic infections. CONCLUSIONS: Intestinal parasites were prevalent in children from overcrowded families and with no knowledge of IPIs. Educative programmes on IPIs, improving hygiene, and application of supportive programmes to elevate socioeconomic conditions may help reduce the burden of intestinal parasite carriage in children.

Preference for tap, bottled, and recycled water: Relations to PTC taste sensitivity and personality.

This study investigated people's preferences for different water sources and factors that predict such preferences using a blind taste test. Water preferences of 143 participants for one name-brand bottled water, one groundwater-sourced tap water, and one indirect potable reuse (IDR) water were assessed. For predictors of water preference, we measured each participant's PTC taste sensitivity and assessed two personality traits (Neuroticism, Openness to Experience). We also explored participants' descriptions of each water source. Results indicate a preference for water treated with Reverse Osmosis (RO) (bottled and IDR water) over groundwater-sourced water, which had higher pH levels and lower concentrations of Ca and HCO3-. PTC taste sensitivity did not predict preferences, while Openness to Experience and Neuroticism predicted preference for IDR water. Positive relations between Openness to Experience and preferences for bottled and IDR water were moderated by gender and were stronger among females. Participants described water primarily by its taste and texture. Findings suggest that (1) tap water treated by RO is equally preferable to some bottled water, (2) personality traits may affect water preferences, and (3) prior findings of gender differences in preferences for bottled water may reflect personality characteristics. Efforts to increase acceptance for sustainable water alternatives, such as IDR, may be more successful by assuring consumers about taste and addressing personality traits that encourage or inhibit use.

Intestinal parasitic infections and risk factors: a cross-sectional survey of some school children in a suburb in Accra, Ghana.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to determine the prevalence and establish some risk factors associated with the acquisition of gastrointestinal parasitic infections in school children in Accra, Ghana. RESULTS: The overall prevalence of intestinal parasitic infection was 15%. Giardia lamblia (10%) and Schistosoma mansoni (1.7%) were the common parasites found. Out of the 15% students postive for intestinal parasites, 13.6% had single parasites and 1.3% had double parasitic infections. Children between the ages of 4-5 and 6-7 years (20% each) had the most parasitic infections. The prevalence of intestinal parasitic infection was not significantly related to gender (p = 0.1451), and source of drinking water (p = 0.8832). However, a statistically significant association between children infected with parasites and close proximity to domestic animals or pets was observed (p = 0.0284). Continuous education on personal hygiene, environmental sanitation and deworming of domestic animals or pets are required to reduce the prevalence of intestinal parasites in school children in Accra.

In situ deprotection and incorporation of unnatural amino acids during cell-free protein synthesis.

The S30 extract from E. coli BL21 Star (DE3) used for cell-free protein synthesis removes a wide range of α-amino acid protecting groups by cleaving α-carboxyl hydrazides; methyl, benzyl, tert-butyl, and adamantyl esters; tert-butyl and adamantyl carboxamides; α-amino form-, acet-, trifluoroacet-, and benzamides; and side-chain hydrazides and esters. The free amino acids are produced and incorporated into a protein under standard conditions. This approach allows the deprotection of amino acids to be carried out in situ to avoid separate processing steps. The advantages of this approach are demonstrated by the efficient incorporation of the chemically intractable (S)-4-fluoroleucine, (S)-4,5-dehydroleucine, and (2S,3R)-4-chlorovaline into a protein through the direct use of their respective precursors, namely, (S)-4-fluoroleucine hydrazide, (S)-4,5-dehydroleucine hydrazide, and (2S,3R)-4-chlorovaline methyl ester. These results also show that the fluoro- and dehydroleucine and the chlorovaline are incorporated into a protein by the normal biosynthetic machinery as substitutes for leucine and isoleucine, respectively.

Triplets across the first 5 years: the discordant infant at birth remains at developmental risk.

OBJECTIVES: To examine whether the risk posed to infant development by triplet birth persists into childhood and whether growth-discordant triplets are at a particularly high developmental risk. METHODS: Twenty-one sets of triplets were matched with 21 sets of twins and 21 singletons (N = 126) for medical and demographic conditions and were followed from birth to 5 years. At 6, 12, and 24 months, cognitive development was assessed and mother-infant interactions were coded for maternal sensitivity and child social engagement. At 5 years, the children's cognitive development and neuropsychological skills were tested, social engagement was coded from mother-child interactions, and behavior problems were examined. Maternal adjustment was assessed during interviews at 1 and 5 years. RESULTS: Although triplets showed lower cognitive performance at 6, 12, and 24 months as compared with singletons and twins, differences were attenuated by 5 years in both global IQ and executive functions. Similarly, the lower social engagement observed across infancy and the higher internalizing symptoms reported at 2 years for those in the triplet group were no longer found at 5 years. Difficulties in maternal adjustment among mothers of triplets decreased from 1 to 5 years. However, in 65.2% of the initial sample there was a weight discordance of >15% at birth, and the discordant triplets showed poorer cognitive and social development as compared with their siblings across infancy. At 5 years, the discordant children demonstrated lower cognitive and executive functions performance, decreased social engagement, and higher internalizing symptoms as compared with both siblings and peers. CONCLUSIONS: Whereas most triplets catch up after an early developmental delay, the risk for discordant triplets seems to persist into childhood. Such infants, who are at both biological and environmental risk, should receive special and consistent professional care.