Biomedical subjects
R E Watson
Publications and source records attributed to R E Watson.
Use of cryoprotectant to maintain long-term peptide immunoreactivity and tissue morphology.
Use of an ethylene glycol based cryoprotectant solution has been found to be effective for the long-term storage of brain tissue either in block form or as freely floating sections prior to immunocytochemical processing. Storage of tissue in the solution at -20 degrees C or 4 degrees C for up to 3 months produced no adverse effects upon tissue morphology, nor was LHRH immunoreactivity diminished or accompanied by elevated non-specific staining. Furthermore, ultrastructural analysis of cryoprotected tissue revealed excellent preservation of cellular morphology. It is anticipated that this method can find use when it is necessary or desirable for the investigator to retain tissue for later immunocytochemical or electron microscopic processing.
Evaluation of instructional materials for teaching psychomotor skills.
An investigation was conducted to determine the effectiveness of self-instructional materials for a cavity preparation procedure using two types of dental auxiliaries under assisted and unassisted instructional conditions. Results showed significant pretest to posttest performance gains, with the instruction proving equally effective across both types of auxiliaries and instructional conditions.
Performance evaluation of a Marshland Upwelling System for the removal of fecal coliform bacteria from domestic wastewater.
The Marshland Upwelling System (MUS), a potential alternative wastewater treatment strategy for coastal dwellings, was examined to assess its ability to remove fecal coliforms (FC) from domestic wastewater as a step towards total treatment. Wastewater was intermittently injected down a 4.6-m injection well into the surrounding salt marsh. Optimal performance was achieved at an injection flowrate of 1.9 L/min and injection frequency of 30 minutes every 3 hours. Average influent concentrations of 930,000+/-650,000 colonies/100 mL, were reduced to effluent counts of 4.6 colonies/100 mL. Coliform removal followed exponential decay versus vector distance traveled with predicted surface concentrations less than or equal to 0.1 colony/100 mL. Hydraulic performance was acceptable with no significant reductions in permeability observed. Increasing flows to 3.8 L/min produced localized hydraulic dysfunction as indicated by sudden increases in effluent bacterial counts and injection pressures. Although fecal coliform removal typically decreased with increasing injection flowrates and isolated instances of abnormally high effluent counts were observed the MUS never experienced a catastrophic failure during the 13-month evaluation period.