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In this State Standards-aligned Literature Kit™, we divide the novel by chapters or sections and feature reading comprehension and vocabulary questions. In every chapter, we include Before You Read and After You Read questions. The Before You Read activities prepare students for reading by setting a purpose for reading. They stimulate background knowledge and experience, and guide students to make connections between what they know and what they will learn. The After You Read activities check students' comprehension and extend their learning. Students are asked to give thoughtful consideration of the text through creative and evaluative short-answer questions and journal prompts. Also included are writing tasks, graphic organizers, comprehension quiz, test prep, word search, and crossword to further develop students' critical thinking and writing skills, and analysis of the text. About the Novel: A classic coming of age story of fourteen year old, Sara, who lives in a small town in West Virginia. This Newbery Medal winner story centers on Sara and her troubled relationship with her remote father, her perfect older sister, and Joe Melby, a boy from school. All of these problems are quickly placed on the backburner when Charlie, her mentally disabled brother, wanders out of the house in the middle of the night and goes missing. While resolving this serious crisis, Sara discovers a great deal of herself, and when she and Joe find Charlie safe and sound, she comes to grips with the knowledge that she is comfortable with who she is and who she is becoming. All of our content is aligned to your State Standards and are written to Bloom's Taxonomy.
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domain: literature


|Publication number||US5376254 A|
|Application number||US 08/062,962|
|Publication date||Dec 27, 1994|
|Filing date||May 14, 1993|
|Priority date||May 14, 1993|
|Publication number||062962, 08062962, US 5376254 A, US 5376254A, US-A-5376254, US5376254 A, US5376254A|
|Inventors||Arkady V. Fisher|
|Original Assignee||Fisher; Arkady V.|
|Export Citation||BiBTeX, EndNote, RefMan|
|Non-Patent Citations (2), Referenced by (31), Classifications (10), Legal Events (2)|
|External Links: USPTO, USPTO Assignment, Espacenet|
This invention relates to an improved ion-selective electrode (ISE) biosensor having an ion-pair distributed between at least two phases.
Ion selective electrodes (ISE) operate on the measurement of the potential created when the equilibrium between an ion-pair is unbalanced, such as for example by the presence of an ion which disturbs the equilibrium or a substance such as an antibody which reacts with an antigen to create a potential which disturbs the equilibrium, between the ion-pair. An ISE includes a reference solution which comprises an aqueous solution of electrolyte and an ion-pair which is only slightly soluble in the aqueous solution. An ISE is useful for the measurement of concentrations of substances which cannot be detected by electrodes that depend upon the ionization of the substance being measured. Accordingly an ISE is used for the measurement of the concentration of organic compounds in a test solution or, when suitably modified in a manner known in the art, for the detection of bio-compounds.
The concept of biosensor was proposed more than twenty years ago. Numerous papers and patents describing various biological compounds associated to several sophisticated types of transducers for the assay of a variety of analytes, were issued. Since then, however, only a few biosensor based analyzers have become commercially available. It appears that the most commonly used biosensor is the enzyme electrode and the transducer is the amperometric probe for oxygen or hydrogen peroxide detection associated to an immobilized oxidase. The main biological sensitive elements used for design of biosensors are: enzymes, antibodies, organelles, bacteria or whole cells or tissue slices. The transducers generally used for design of biosensors are: amperometric or potentiometric electrodes, field effect transistors, piezoelectric crystals, thermistors, optoelectronic systems. The commercially available biosensor are used to analyze the glucose, enzymes and enzyme substrates. The typical example of described biosensor is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,894,253, issued Jan. 16, 1990.
The aromatic sulphonate ion-selective electrode (ISE) has been used in the prior art, for example, for the analysis of anionic detergents. As set forth in Talanta. 20, p. 867 (1973) a nitrobenzene solution of benzene sulphonate crystal violet was used as a liquid organic phase. The lower part of a glass U-tube (50 ml capacity) was filled with an organic phase of an ion-pair. Reference and sample solutions were separated from the organic phase and they were aqueous solutions of the same sulphonate as in the liquid organic phase. The reference and sample solutions were connected to saturated calomel electrodes through an agar bridge saturated with potassium chloride. The ISE had an approximately Nernstian slope (56 mV/log C) down to 1×10-4 M and was useful to 1×10-5 M. However the cited ISE has undesirable limitations, for example, the ISE is not sensitive and reproducible enough; the U-tube construction of the ISE body has open excess to nitrobenzene what is not convenient for analytical measurements and hazardous to use ecologically; the liquid organic phase exposure to solution of interest is not acceptable for biosensor development and hazardous ecologically.
I. A. Gur'ev at al. disclosed improvements of existing ISE technology in "Simplified the Design of a Liquid Ion Selective Electrode", Zavodskaja laboratoria, 46, No. 6, 497 (1980). This ISE was also used for the analysis of anionic detergents, its ISE organic phase consisted of a nitrobenzene solution of lauryl sulphate and crystal violet. The ISE was made as an adaptor to the silver/silver chloride electrode and the second silver/silver chloride electrode was used to complete the circuit. The lower part of the plastic tube was filled with fluoropolymer (USSR Trademark Floroplast F-4) that was swelled in the liquid organic phase before putting it in the tube and then compressed into the end of the tip of the adaptor tube. The liquid organic phase comprising a nitrobenzene solution of ion-pair lauryl sulphate crystal violet was placed above the polymer phase. A reference solution of 1×10-2 M potassium chloride was used. The ISE had a Nernstian slope (59 mV/log C) down to 1×10-6 M and was useful to 1×10-7 M. The ISE is more convenient to use when it is in an adapter form. The sensitivity of the ISE was increased ten times. The limitations of the described development are: the reproducibility was improved but not sufficiently to market this analytical method; the liquid organic phase leaks through the polymer composite phase during ISE operation; and the estimated life of the ISE is only about six months. A. Fisher disclosed certain aspects of the described ISE in an article entitled; "The use of ISE in Waste Water Analysis", The Method of Environmental Analysis, Moscow, 140-141, (1983).
Most applications of the ISE involved the analysis of detergents, nitrates, nitrophenols, sulfides and other compounds in ground and waste waters. Later A. Fisher published two articles: "Study of the Mechanism of the Functioning of a Liquid Membrane of an ISE Based on Ion-Pair Lauryl Sulphate Crystal Violet.", and "Asymmetry Potential of an ISE with a liquid Organic Phase Based on Ion-Pair of Lauryl Sulphate Crystal Violet.", Zhurnal Analyticheskoi Khimii., 40, No. 3, 5, 493-499, 935-936, 1985. The first article discusses the mechanism of the ISE functioning. In the second article it is disclosed that the ion-pair exists in the polymer composite phase in the form of liquid crystals.
Several articles are available on detergent electrodes with semipermeable phases and their use in the micelle cells. For example see: Kaibara K., et al. Mem. Fac. Sci. Kyushu Univ., Ser. C, 7, 1, (1970); Botre C., at al., Kolloid Z. Z. Polym., 250, 900, (1972); Birch B. J., at al., Anal. Chim. Acta, 69, 473, (1974); Senkyr J., J. Chem. Listy, 73, 1097, (1979). The ISEs constructed in accordance with the teachings of these articles have little selectivity and long response time. The last article describes an ISE with a liquid organic phase based on Crystal Violet which is used for nitrate analysis. This ISE has a concentration range 1×10-7 to 1×10-6 M and a surfactant potentiator factor of 10 to 2.5M. However, because the liquid organic phase leaks from the ISE, the useful life of the module is about 6 months.
Despite a considerable amount of work applied to the development of electroanalytical devices which can be used in a ISE or biosensor mode a need still exists for an electrode, and a simple and inexpensive method for making it, which exhibits reproducible response, rapid response time, selectivity and sensitivity which can be miniaturized. In addition there exists a need for a commercial device for the detection and measurement of biocompounds.
It is an objective of the present invention to provide an electrode meeting the needs mentioned above and to further provide a method of making an electrode of any desired dimension in a simple and readily reproducible manner.
Another object of the invention is to provide a liquid crystal biosensor.
These and other objectives and advantages of the invention are achieved by an electrode which consists of two or more phases in any combination of phases comprising an aqueous reference solution phase, an organic phase (liquid or solid) and a polymer composite phase. At least one of the phases includes an ion-pair as described in more detail below. The polymer composite phase is comprised of a polymer matrix alone or with the liquid organic phase or a liquid crystal material suspended or dissolved therein. An ion-pair may also be included in the polymer composite phase of the electrode.
ISE devices constructed in accordance with the invention have several embodiments. In one embodiment the ISE is employed as an ion-selective electrode for the analysis of organic and inorganic compounds. In this embodiment ISE consists of the three phases, (1) an aqueous reference solution phase, (2) a liquid organic phase and (3) a polymer composite phase. The 3rd phase may or may not contain liquid organic phase to form a solid electrolyte. In this embodiment the ISE may be employed as a biosensor.
In another embodiment, the device of the invention is used as a self-rechargeable ISE. It has the same structure as the ISE in embodiment previously discussed, but there is special storage for the liquid organic phase or reference solution, which can be attached or detached to the device body.
In a third embodiment of the invention the ISE is disposable and consists of the three phases, (1) an aqueous reference solution phase, (2) a liquid organic phase and (3) a polymer composite phase which comprises a solid electrolyte.
In accordance with the invention the reference solution is an aqueous solution of an ion-pair and a high concentration of a ligand or detergent micelle former. The ion-pair is used in stoichiometric and non-stoichiometric forms and comprises a pair of oppositely charged ions. The ions forming the ion-pair are preferably large molecules having an association constant on the order of 1×106 to about 1×1017. The formation and use of an ion-pair is well known in the art and does not per se form a part of the invention defined herein. However, the use of an ion-pair in an aqueous detergent solution to form the reference solution of electrodes constructed in accordance with the invention provides unexpected advantages over the prior art ISE.
The polymer composite phase was prepared from finely divided polymer which was swelled in a suitable solvent and then compressed into the end of the tip of a tube defining the body of the ISE. The ion-pair exists in the polymer composite phase in the form of liquid crystals. The solid electrolyte solution of the ion-pair was prepared by dissolving the ion-pair organic solvent solution in hot melted polymer. The solid electrolyte phase was used as a separation phase between the reference solution phase compartments in disposable devices. Another use of the solid electrolyte ion-pair phase is the support of the superthin composite phase in biosensor development. Another use of the solid electrolyte phase is the preparation of disposable ISEs. The body of the ISE can have any configuration. The body of the ISE can have special openings to join with syringes for recharging the reference solution or changing the liquid organic phase or reference solution without the necessity of disassembling and reassembling the ISE. This permits the ISE/biosensor to be made so that it can be assembled from disposable parts. In addition the electrode body can be shaped to reduce leakage of the liquid components of the electrode and thus increase the reliability and useful life of electrode constructed in accordance with the invention.
Devices constructed according to the invention are suitable for use as a non-permeable ISE which can have any structure described above. These biosensors can easily be manufactured and it is now possible to make stable biosensor interphases and to get reproducible potential readings. The biosensor does not need to be pre-calibrated and the customer can easily calibrate the biosensor at his site. The presence of biocompounds of interest, for example antigens, can be easily measured during biosensor calibration or during potential measurement. The biosensor is built from inexpensive organic materials. All parts of the biosensor can be easily and reproducibly fabricated. Each part of biosensor can be made disposable and can be easily shipped to the customer. Recharging can be easily done by a lab technician and no special training is required to use the biosensor. Although the biosensor is disposable, it can be used for several days without a fresh antibody recharge.
The advantages and features of the invention will be more fully understood from the detailed description of the invention taken in conjunction with the following drawings, brief descriptions of which are set forth below.
FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of an ISE constructed in accordance with the invention;
FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of a typical circuit employing an ISE constructed in accordance with the present invention;
FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of another embodiment of an ISE according to the invention illustrating a rechargeable ISE;
FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of an ISE including a tip designed to reduce leakage of the liquid organic phase;
FIG. 5 is a plot potential vs detergent concentration (-log) and is a calibration curve for an ISE made in accordance with Example 1;
FIG. 6 is a plot potential vs detergent concentration (-log) and is a calibration curve for an ISE made in accordance with Example 4;
FIG. 7 is a plot potential vs bacteria concentration (+log) and is a calibration curve for an ISE made in accordance with Example 6;
As illustrated by FIGS. 1 and 2, the ISE, shown generally as 10, comprises a hollow electrode body 11 in which is disposed a silver/silver chloride electrode 12 and a suitable electrolyte 14, for example an aqueous potassium chloride solution. An electrical conductor 16 extends from the electrode body 10 and is connected to a read-out device 22 which includes a conventional potentiometric reading and recording device or microprocessor, a power supply and amplifier and the like. The circuit is completed by a reference electrode 24, such as a silver/silver chloride electrode of conventional design, which is electrically connected to the read-out device by a line 17 and to the ISE 10 through a fluid 26 being tested.
As shown most clearly by FIG. 1, one end of the electrode body 11 defines an electrode tip 18. An electrically conductive bridge 20 is disposed in the tip for potentiometric communication with an ion selective electrode 40 (ISE) designed in accordance with the present invention and described in detail below. In the embodiments of the invention described herein the ISE 40 is provided with a sleeve 41 at one end to receive the tip 18 and end portion of the electrode body 11 for the attachment of the ISE 40 to the electrode body 11. However, other means may be employed to connect to electrode body 11 and the ISE 40 such as, for example, a flexible tube filled with a suitable electrolyte and sealed by electrolyte impermeable electrically conductive plugs of similar composition as the bridge 20 consists of an electrolyte impermeable ceramic plug well known in the art and commonly used with silver/silver chloride electrodes of conventional design.
In accordance with the invention the ISE 40 comprises a generally tubular body 43 in which are disposed three phases: a reference solution phase 42, a liquid organic phase 44 and a polymer composite phase 46. The polymer composite phase 46 further contains at least one of: (i) a polymer component alone; (ii) a liquid organic component consisting of an organic solvent distributed throughout the polymer matrix; (iii) a liquid crystal component consisting of a liquid crystal compound distributed throughout the polymer matrix and (iv) a solid electrolyte component consisting of an electrolyte distributed throughout the polymer matrix. When the polymer component is used alone it is preferred to introduce air to the liquid polymer to form pockets which are dispersed throughout the solid polymer. In this form the polymer can then be treated by heat or pressure or both to fill the air pockets with an electrolyte solution to substantially reduce the electrical resistance of the polymer.
The reference solution phase 42 directly interfaces with the liquid organic phase 44 which in turn directly interfaces with the polymer composite phase 46. The incompatibility of the respective phases maintains them in a generally separate condition although at the interfaces an equilibrium is established which is shifted by the presence of a sought for ion and which thus alters the potential of the electrode. It is also at the interface between the various phases that many of the problems associated with prior art ion selective electrodes occur.
The reference solution phase 42 comprises an ion-pair in an aqueous solution of a micelle former, such as for example an aqueous solution of a ligand or a detergent. It has been found that the presence of the micelle former helps to establish better distribution of the ion-pair between the reference solution and the organic phase of the electrode and reproducibility is enhanced and reproducibility of the ISE is substantially improved. Best results have been achieved when the concentration of micelle former in the reference solution is between about 1×10-2 and 5×10-3 mols/l.
Detergents used in the reference solution as the micelle former preferably have an alkyl chain of between 7 and 13 carbon atoms. It has been found that with smaller molecules, the detergent does not exert sufficient hydrophobicity to improve solubility ion-pair in the aqueous solution. Likewise if the backbone of the detergent molecule is too large solubility of the detergent in the aqueous solution is adversely affected. Best results have been achieved with detergents having a carbon chain of between 10 and 12 carbon atoms. Suitable detergents include the sulfonates, sulfoethers and phosphoric ethers having their carbon backbone as described above.
It should be noted that non-ionic detergents have no effect in the reference solution. Anionic detergents are preferred for use in the reference solution phase 42. The concentration of the detergent in the reference solution phase 42 is a matter of choice so long as it is maintained within the range described above. It should be noted that with higher detergent concentrations the potential becomes more reproducible and electrode sensitivity is reduced.
An ion-pair can be broadly defined as the association between two oppositely charged molecules. As applied to the present invention, an ion-pair consists of oppositely charged molecules (anionic/cationic) having an association constant in water of between 1×106 and 1×1017. The molecules comprising the ion-pair may be organic, inorganic or combinations of the two. Ion-pair chemistry is well known in the art and any of the known ion-pairs can be used in the ISE of the present invention. For example the cationic molecule of the ion-pair include those based on triphenylmethane cations such as crystal violet, malachite green, methylene blue and methyl violet. Crystal violet is a preferred cationic molecule because it is one of the largest cationic molecules and it has a symmetrical structure, the importance of which is discussed below in connection with the liquid crystal phase of an ISE constructed according to this invention. The anionic component of the ion-pair is based on a molecular size sufficiently large to provide a large association constant yet small enough be slightly soluble in water. For example, the anionic component can include: organic compounds such as lauryl sulfate, cyanide, thiocyanate and nitrate; salicylic acid and salts thereof; picric acid and salts thereof; inorganic compounds such as negatively charged metal complexes such as gold and silver cyanide, thiocyanate. The liquid organic phase 44 comprises the ion-pair utilized in the reference solution phase 42 in an organic solvent. Although the molecules forming the ion-pair may be present in a stoichiometric ratio, preferably the ion-pair comprise the non-stoichiometric ratio of four mols of the anionic component to three mols of the cationic component. For example, in the case of the liquid organic phase 44 consisting of the ion-pair lauryl sulphate and crystal violet, in nitrobenzene. The distribution of lauryl sulphate in the two phase system nitrobenzene/water at the interface of the reference solution phase 42 and the liquid organic phase 44 is not stable and the ion-pair is drawn into the nitrobenzene resulting in eventual depletion of the ion-pair from the reference solution phase 42. The depletion of ion-pair is referred to herein as leakage. Such leakage of the ion-pair adversely affects the sensitivity and stability of the electrode. It has been found that the non-stoichiometric ratio of components in the ion-pair provides improved sensitivity and helps to stabilize the ion-pair in the respective phases. Also, because leakage of the ion-pair cannot be completely avoided, it is highly preferred that the volume of the reference solution phase 42 be substantially greater than the other phases of the electrode, on the order of at least three times greater than any of the other phases, so that leakage of the ion-pair does not deplete the ion-pair concentration in the aqueous reference solution.
The polymer composite phase 46 illustrated in FIG. 1 comprises a solid electrolyte component consisting of the ion-pair, lauryl sulphate and crystal violet, in nitrobenzene interspersed in a polypropylene matrix.
In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 3, where like reference numbers designate like parts, the ISE is adapted for use as a self-rechargeable ion-selective electrode. In the device shown, the ISE 40 includes the reference solution phase 42, the liquid organic phase 44 and the polymer composite phase 46 as described in FIG. 1. The ISE 40 is adapted for recharge of the liquid organic phase by a normally extending chamber 56 which is connected to the silver/silver chloride electrode body 11 by the sleeve 41 and a liquid organic phase reservoir 58 within the reference solution phase 42. The reservoir 58 is closed at its upper end by a plunger 61. At the opposite end a small diameter silicon tube 60 is sealed to the reservoir 58 by suitable leak proof means such as a polymer plug 62. The reservoir is retained in the ISE 40 by a stopper or cap 64 which is preferably removable to facilitate replacement of the liquid organic phase. The liquid organic phase can be pushed out from the syringe to recharge the liquid organic phase 44 of the ISE 40 or drawn out to discharge the liquid organic phase 44.
During the operation and storage of an ISE the ion-pair, over a period of time, will be extracted from the reference solution phase 42 into the liquid organic phase 44 because the ion-pair is substantially more soluble in the organic solvent of the liquid organic phase 44 than in the aqueous reference solution of the reference solution phase 42. If the volumes of the phases are comparable this extraction affects ion-pair distribution and the potential of the ISE becomes unreproducible. In the preferred embodiment of the invention, the volume of the reference solution phase is substantially greater, on the order of three or more times, than the volume of the liquid organic phase 44 so that the ion-pair extraction can not affect the distribution of ion-pair between phases and the ISE has reproducible potential reading.
Another type of leakage problem encountered with ion sensitive electrode involves the passage of the organic solvent used in the liquid organic phase 44 of the ISE through the polymer composite phase 46 to the interface of the polymer composite phase 46 and the test fluid 26. This can be minimized by the embodiment of the ISE of the present invention illustrated in FIG. 4 where like reference numbers denote like parts in which a portion 66 of the tubular body 43 of the ISE 40 is formed back on itself to define a U-shape. It has been found that the U-shaped portion has a beneficial effect in reducing the leakage rate of the ISE 40.
The ion-pair solution of the reference solution phase 42 can be modified for detection of bioactive or other compounds. This modification can be achieved by directly adding a bioactive or other compound to the aqueous detergent solution of the ion-pair. An advantage of the aqueous detergent solutions is that bioactive compounds retain their bioactivity and stability. The highly aqueous detergent solution has been found to prolong the activity of bioactive compounds which can be deleteriously affected by the organic solvent of the liquid organic phase 44. Although not fully understood, it is believed that the detergent of the reference solution forms micelles which surround and shield the bioactive compound from the organic solvent. Therefore these compounds will be protected and the ionic charges can be transferred from one phase to another. If the ion-pair compound is present inside a micelle then the ion-pair helps to establish the conductivity of the micellic channel. If the bioactive compound is present in the micelle channel, the channel will have bioaffinity and conductivity. The micelle channel of the reference solution with antibody inside was used as a reference solution for an antigen biosensor.
The reference solution of the reference solution phase 42 of the ISE 40 can have an organic solvent as an additive to improve equilibrium stability. For example, where nitrobenzene is the solvent in the liquid organic phase 44 the additive is nitrobenzene. This addition was made to obtain the most stable equilibrium for a reproducible potential.
Micelles of amphophilic ions (lauryl sulphate) in high dielectric constant nonaqueous solvents (nitrobenzene) form reversed micelles. The aggregation number of lauryl sulphate is increased several orders of magnitude in a solution of an ion-pair because the solubility of an ion-pair in water is much lower compared to the solubility in a solution of lauryl sulphate. Although it is not fully understood, it is believed that aqueous detergent/ion-pair micelles protect high molecular weight biologically active compounds and that this micellic protection of bioactive compounds is multi-layered because the hydrophobic parts of the detergent are directed inside the micelle. The transition of the aqueous micelle from the reference solution to a reversed micelle of the liquid organic phase is facilitated. The aqueous micelles are multilayered and are transferred from the reference solution to the liquid organic phase because of the affinity of the ion-pair for the organic solvent. When the micelles interact with the organic solvent they lose a layer and became reversed micelles. When the first layer is peeled off, the micelle will be transferred from direct to a reverse micellic structure in which compounds are shielded from the organic solvent. Therefore the bioactive compounds can exist and be transported by the organic solvent without destruction. In addition, this effect liberates the micelle covered biocompound, such as an antibody, and the liberated antibody can be immobilized in a liquid crystal component of the polymer composite phase 46, as will be described, to react with the antigen of the solution of interest. The lauryl sulphate crystal/violet ion-pair exists on the surface and in the inside of the polymer composite in the form of liquid crystals. Our measurements show that the diameter of the liquid crystal is about 4×10-5 m. The liquid crystal can be used to insert the bioactive compound with an average molecular weight of 1×107 g. It is possible to measure the step or pitch of the liquid crystal spiral in a polarizing microscope photograph. It is about 2×10-3 mm. This step can vary depending on the molecular insertion in the liquid crystal. A liquid crystal electrode is very effective as an ion-selective electrode or biosensor. The step of the spiral is equal to the size of detergent micelle. This helps bio-compounds keep their activity after insertion in liquid crystals.
The generation of potential by liquid crystals is associated with a molecular insertion in the liquid crystal spiral. It was expected that a biological compound can be immobilized inside a liquid crystal helix. This was shown by the insertion of an E. coli antibody during biosensor development. The phenomenon of insertion inside the liquid crystal is important for the following reasons:
a. The inserted compound can retain its activity inside the liquid crystal.
b. The changes in the charges of inserted compounds can be transferred from one side of the interface to another.
c. If the inserted compound will react with another compound (antibody will react with antigen) this will destroy the liquid crystal coverage of the inserted compound. This can generate a potential corresponding to this reaction or it can be used for quantitative measurement of molecules which produce a biosensor potential.
d. A very important characteristic of liquid crystals is their adjustment to many chemical structures. The spiral step can adjust to an antibody insertion.
Liquid crystals can be used to react with an antibody from the liquid organic phase using the antibody covered with mixed micelles. The antigen can react with the liquid crystal from the solution of interest.
An additional problem is related to the insertion of molecules into a liquid crystal helix. The inserted molecule affects the potential and after measurement it is difficult to get rid of the insertion. The next measurement will have more insertion and the potential will be affected again and the potential will be shifted even more than obtained with the same concentration of a compound of interest. The insertion capacity of liquid crystals is limited to a concentration level so when the liquid crystal is full of insertion the potential of the ISE will become reproducible.
As mentioned when the ion-pair is covered with detergent micelles it can be inserted in the liquid crystal in a stable way. A liquid crystal recharge solution was formulated. The composition of this solution was the same as the composition of the reference solution. The ion-pair was formulated in highly concentrated detergent solution. The same ion-pair concentration was used in the reference solution so that the ISE was kept equilibrated. The reproducibility was improved 7-8% for a direct concentration reading.
If the bioactive compound is inserted inside the liquid crystal it can react with some other compound covered or uncovered with micelles in the solution of interest. This discharge reaction can be used to rid the liquid organic phase of unwanted ions in the liquid crystal. This kind of liquid crystal chemistry is useful when an enzyme is inside the liquid crystal and a substrate with an inhibitor is present in the solution of interest. This can be used for inhibitor, poison, or contaminant analysis sensitive to a concentration from 1×10-10 to 1×10-15 M. An example of the use of a discharge solution is the rinsing of the ISE in water after measurement so that the ISE can be prepared for the next reading.
Interphase problems relate to the electrode organic solvent leakage:.
1. It is important not to have any organic solvent leak from the biosensor because any leakage will destroy the bioactive compounds in the solution of interest and will limit the use of the biosensor for quantitative measurements.
2. A difficult problem of biosensor development is the penetration of the liquid organic phase through the polymer composite phase.
A bioactive compound is coated with micelles in the reference solution, organic solvent phase and liquid crystal. The coating will be lost, however, when the bioactive compound reacts with its reactant in the solution of interest. If the solution of interest contains an organic solvent the bioactivity of the compound will be lost. If the polymer composite phase is coated from the outside with the solid electrolyte the bioactivity is protected for it will not be possible for the liquid organic phase to penetrate through the solid electrolyte phase and the bioactivity will be maintained.
An ISE can be stored in open air. Presumably this is the only electrode which can be stored in this way. However, the ISE should be stored without the liquid organic phase being in contact with the polymer phase because the nitrobenzene will evaporate in the open air and the ion-pair will precipitate in and on the polymer composite phase. This can limit the sensitivity of the ISE. The sensitivity can be easily restored by removing the precipitated ion-pair. The ion-pair precipitation within and on the organic phase surface is not liquid crystals and cannot be used as liquid crystals.
The precipitation described previously always occurred in the working biosensor because the ion-pair solution inside the liquid organic phase was oversaturated. Because of the limited volume of the polymer composite phase, disposable biosensors are preferred.
The most important characteristic of the biosensor is its high sensitivity. The potential of the biosensor from an antibody-antigen interaction is a small part of the general potential. In order to increase the sensitivity of the biosensor the thickness of polymer phase must be decreased. In a working model the thickness was decreased to 1×10-3 mm. The E. coli biosensor is sensitive to 1 ×104 bacteria. The sensitivity is due to the quality of the reference solution, liquid organic phase, liquid crystals and the method of their use. The sensitivity depends on the affinity of the antibody for the antigen. If it is necessary to analyze low concentrations of antigen solutions the theoretical concentration of the antibody in the liquid organic phase can be approximated by thermodynamic considerations. Some antigens can be detected at 1×10-12 to 1×10-15 M.
The ISE of this invention can be used in the microelectrode mode. When used in this fashion, it is important to generate the maximum electric current through the organic phase and polymer composite phase. In order to develop the biosensor with maximum current the polymer composite phase thickness and diameter were decreased.
The following illustrates the construction and operation of a sensitive ion-selective electrode in accordance with the invention and its operation.
Ag/AgCl reference electrodes with ceramic junction and device for potential measurement pH/ion/temp meter with BNC electrode adaptor were obtained from Cole Palmer Instrument Co. The Ag/AgCl reference electrodes were used in a sealed condition, no additional recharge of saturated potassium chloride solution is required. The Ag/AgCl reference electrode used a 1×10-2 M solution of potassium chloride is the electrolyte.
The reference solution for the ISE reference solution phase of the electrode was prepared by forming a solution consisting of a 1×10-3 M solution of the ion-pair lauryl sulfate (LS) and crystal violet (CV) in 1×10-2 M aqueous solution of lauryl sulphate. The ion-pair had a mol ratio of components LS:CV=4:3. Lauryl sulfate sodium salt (LS) and crystal violet chloride salt (CV) were purchased from Aldrich Chemical Co. Before use the lauryl sulfate sodium salt was recrystallized three times from ethyl alcohol. The crystal violet chloride salt before use was recrystallized 15 times from water. The solutions of lauryl sulphate (LS) and crystal violet (CV) were prepared using double distilled water.
Preferably the composition ion-pair of the liquid organic phase is substantially the same as the reference solution. The organic solvent was nitrobenzene and the ion-pair consisted of equal parts of lauryl sulphate sodium salt and crystal violet chloride salt.
After preparation of the liquid organic phase it is possible to prepare the polymer phase of the ISE. A polyfluoroethylene polymer (Du Pont 7-A) was used in the powder form. 200 mg of the fluoroethylene powder and 1 ml of liquid organic phase prepared as described above was placed in a disposable glass tube and shaken by using a shaker for at least five minutes until a uniform suspension of polymer in the liquid organic phase was obtained. The suspension was poured into a plastic tube which serves as the electrode body and compressed into the tip of the polymer tube. The ISE body can be made out of a plastic shield for disposable syringe needles, for example a shield for syringe needles. The length of the tip was 5 cm, the bottom diameter of the tip was 4 mm. The bottom part of the tip was cut with a sharp knife, then the inside of the tip was scratched with a thin needle in order to keep the hard polymer phase after compression. The polymer liquid phase suspension is added to the tip. Usually a spatula was used to transfer the suspension from the glass disposable tube to the plastic tip. The electrode body was fixed in a holder in vertical position with the bottom part of the body with the suspension placed down. A metal shaft was inserted into the tube and used to compress the suspension contained therein to make the polymer phase. When the polymer phase was made 0.1 ml of liquid organic phase was added to the tube and finally 0.3 ml of the reference solution to form the reference solution phase. The ISE was connected to the Ag/AgCl electrode in the manner described above for FIG. 1 using a section of rubber tubing as the sleeve connecting the ISE and the Ag/AgCl electrode. Then the circuit was completed by using a second Ag/AgCl electrode in the manner shown in FIG. 2.
In order to evaluate the working device, the electrodes produced were used for measurement of the potential of different water based solutions of interest. In order to make the calibration of the electrode several solutions of detergents (lauryl sulfate) were prepared with concentrations pX=-log X=3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 and 10; -log X=-log [LS (M)]
By measuring the potentials of these solutions it was possible to establish a calibration of the ISE. The calibration curve for the ISE is set out in FIG. 5 which is a plot of potential in millivolts plotted against -log X. It will be seen that excellent linearity is achieved at detergent concentrations of between -log 3 and -log 7. Any of the foregoing detergent solutions can be used as a control to check the correct reading during the analysis of an unknown.
The ISE exhibited excellent reproducibility with no leakage of nitrobenzene and a useful life in excess of 6 months.
The following example describes a rechargeable ISE made in accordance with the invention and a method of utilizing the rechargeable ISE in a sequential operation, such as a work station where repeated readings are taken or for use with different reference solutions was constructed and operated in accordance with the following. The recharge solution has the same composition as the liquid organic phase of the electrode.
The reference solution phase, liquid organic phase and polymer composite phase of the ISE were prepared as described in Example 1. The ratio of the ion-pair components in the liquid organic phase is LS:CV=4:3. The electrode body was provided with a reservoir as described above in connection with FIG. 3. The recharge solution consisted of 1×10-3 M solution of the ion-pair lauryl sulfate/crystal violet in the mol ratio of LS:CV=4.3.
Reproducibility of 7% for direct concentration reading and no penetration of nitrobenzene during potential measurement with a sensitivity of 1×10-6 M was attained.
The ISE was recharged after the 1st potential measurement according to the following procedure.
1. The ISE was rinsed in distilled water until the potential was stable. Usually this requires from one to three rinsings to reach stable potential. It takes one to two minutes to complete the measurements.
2. 1st solution potential measurement was taken. Instead of one concentration measurement it was found advantageous to take a set of four detergent concentration measurements (1×10-4 M, 1×10-5 M, 1×10-6 M) for one ISE calibration. The calibration can be made for any ion of interest, which is active in the ISE.
3. The rinsing of the ISE in distilled water is the same as in paragraph 1.
4. Following rinsing, the ISE was recharged and the potential of the recharge solution was stablized. Usually the recharge potential of electrode varies in the range from 10 to 5 mV, depending on the condition of the electrode active surface. It takes usually one minute to complete the ISE recharge.
5. The discharge of the ISE in water is carried out as in paragraphs 1 and 2.
6. A 2nd solution potential measurement carried out in the same manner as in paragraph 2. The sequence of measurements from paragraph 1 to paragraph 3 will be the same for the 3rd concentration measurement.
In order to demonstrate the reproducibility of the ISE several sequences of calibration in lauryl sulphate solutions were made. This ISE had very good precision. For most measurements precision was between 2.0 and 5.6% for direct concentration reading. Some measurements had precision less than 1%, and shows the possibility of improving the existing level of precision. This improvement can be done if the ISE is used as a sensor element of the workstation. In this case it is possible to fix every ISE working parameter: to have the same speed and gradients of stirring in every measurement of every sample, to have the same hydrostatic regime in every measurement of every sample and some other technical and service related problems.
The following example describes the construction and operation of a rechargeable ion selective microelectrode. The electrode body is as described in Example 2 and includes a reservoir for the storage of the recharge solution.
The liquid organic phase ratio of components in the liquid organic phase is LS:CV=4:3. The method of preparing the reference solution phase, the liquid organic phase and polymer phase development is described in Example 1. The preparation of recharge solution is as described reference solution of Example 1.
The ISE was greatly decreased in size. The microelectrode is prepared by forming an ion selective adapter using the microfabrication technique set forth below:
1. 1 ml of the liquid organic phase was placed in a disposable glass tube and the tube was closed the tube with cork in order not to have escaping fumes.
2. 200 mg of polyfluoroethylene fine powder was added to the tube.
3. The tube was shaken thoroughly for fifteen minutes to thoroughly mix the contents and to suspend the PFE powder in the organic phase.
4. A disposable polypropelene tip from pipet (Baxter, Scientific Products Cat, diameter 0.3 mm) was placed in the tube and shaken at high speed for two minutes to cause the suspension to penetrate in the tip. The suspension is held in the tip by capillary force. The height of the suspension in the capillary was about 5 mm.
5. The polymer tip was removed from the glass tube and taking care that the suspension remains in the bore of the tip.* The end of the tip to the paper filter and at the same time hold the tip in the vertical position (liquid organic phase part to the bottom). Wait until the part of liquid organic phase will be taken out and absorbed by filter paper. When the height of the capillary will be about 3 mm. In this case some polymer phase layers are already formed inside the capillary.
6. Compression of the suspension within the tip:
a. Fix the tip in the holder in vertical condition. The bottom part of the tip with suspension was placed down.
b. A thin rod having an O.D. smaller than the bore of the tip containing the suspension was used for the compression step. This rod was made of steel 0.3 mm diameter and 15 cm long. The end of the rod was provided with a projection 6×10-2 mm in diameter and a having a length of about 0.1 mm. This kind of projection will create an indentation in the polymer composite phase, which was used as a micro superthin polymer phase. Then the bottom part of suspension in the plastic tip was compressed with the shaft to form the compressed polymer phase. The height of the polymer phase is from 0.3 to 0.5 mm.
c. All traces of the liquid organic phase suspension which were not incorporated in the polymer phase were removed from the electrode body by using an absorbent napkin.
Following preparation of the polymer composite phase, 0.005 ml of the nitrobenzene solution of lauryl sulfate/crystal violet as prepared in Example 1 was introduced over the polymer layer to form the liquid organic phase followed by 0.3 ml of the reference solution of Example 1 to form the reference solution phase of the electrode. The microelectrode ion selective adapter thus produced was connected to an Ag/AgCl as described in Example 1 using a piece of rubber tubing on top part of adaptor and the bottom part of the Ag/AgCl electrode as shown in FIG. 1.
With the microelectrode it is possible to analyze smaller volumes of liquid. The micro ISE is inexpensive to manufacture and it is possible to mass produce it.
The following example illustrates an electrode constructed in accordance with the invention in which the polymer composite phase comprises a solid electrolyte component. The ISE having the solid electrolyte component has been successfully used for detergent analysis.
The ISE electrode was prepared as in Example 1 and consisted of a silver/silver chloride electrode attached to the plastic body of the ISE, which is filled with the reference solution of Example 1. The bottom the plastic body is covered with a solid electrolyte polymer component prepared according to this Example. The solid electrolyte polymer component comprises the polymer composite phase and also serves the function of the liquid organic phase of the ISE of Example 1.
The liquid organic phase solid electrolyte was prepared by using a polypropylene disposable tip 2 ml capacity (B/D Life Science). The length of the tube was 85 mm, outside diameter was 5 mm. The end of the polypropylene tip was melted and the tube was closed. In the tube was added 0.3 ml of liquid organic phase prepared in accordance with Example 1. Then the tube with the liquid organic phase was heated to melt the polymer. The liquid organic phase was dissolved in hot polymer. A drop of melted polymer with liquid organic phase dissolved was set on one end of the plastic tube defining the ISE body and allowed to solidify and to close the end of the tube to define the tip of the ISE. The solid polymer on the tip was abraded to the point when the solid electrolyte electrode became electro-conductive and its potential reading became reproducible (a thickness between 2×10-1 mm and 1×10-1 mm). Reference solution was added to the tube to constitute the reference solution phase of the ISE and the tube was connected to the silver/silver chloride electrode as described in Example 1 and shown in FIG. 1. Calibration of the electrode was carried out in the same manner as in Example 1 by preparing several solutions of detergent (lauryl sulfate) with concentrations pX=-log X=3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 and 10; -log X=-log [LS (M)]. The potentials of these solutions were measured and a plot of potential in millivolts plotted against -log X is shown in FIG. 6.
The electrode has very good response in a detergent concentration range from 1×10-6 to 1×10-3 M with the slope of 65 mV per decade. The time of response is about one minute.
A method to prepare a reference solution for E. coli bioassay is illustrated by this Example.
The composition of reference solution should be close to the composition of liquid organic phase. In preparing the reference solution, the composition of liquid organic phase was a 1×10-3 M solution of an ion-pair in nitrobenzene; the ion-pair having a ratio of components LS:CV=4:3. The composition of the new reference solution is a 1×10-3 M solution of ion-pair in 1×10-2 M aqueous solution of lauryl sulphate and the ion-pair had a ratio of components LS:CV=4:3. The new reference solution is an aqueous high concentration detergent solution of an ion-pair.
The reference solution was modified for use as a reference solution in a biosensor for E. coli. 1/12th part of a lyophilized tablet of E. coli bacteria antibody (purchased from Kirkegaard & Perry Chemical Co.) was dissolved 0.1 mL of 1:1 mixture of Glycerine and water and 0.1 mL of this solution was mixed with 0.5 mL of a detergent ion pair solution described previously. The final concentration of the ion-pair in the biosensor reference solution was 1×10-4 M and the final concentration of the E. coli antibody was 1.38×10-8 M. The antibody in the biosensor reference solution was active for several days.
This example illustrates the construction and use of the ISE for the detection and measurement of antigens. The ISE was constructed in the manner described above in Example 4 using a polyfluoroethylene polymer melted in the presence of the liquid organic phase material of Example 1 to close the tip of the ISE plastic tube and to serve as the polymer composite phase.
0.3 ml of the liquid organic phase of Example 1 was introduced to the ISE tube. The reference solution of Example 5 was used so that the ISE would detect E. coli. The E. coli biosensor is sensitive to 1×104 of the bacteria.
ISE sensitivity is based on the quality of the reference solution, liquid organic phase, liquid crystals and the method of their use. The most important parameter responsible for sensitivity is the affinity constant of antibody antigen interaction. From thermodynamic considerations it was found that in order to analyze low concentrations of antigen solutions in the liquid organic phase there needs to be created a high concentration of antibody 10. For some antigens it is possible to reach 1×10-12 to 1×10-15 M detection limits.
As shown in FIG. 7, the E. coli biosensor had a response to E. coli bacteria from 104 to 109 E. coli bacteria. The millivolt response of the biosensor is from 34 to 92 mV but this response depends on accuracy and precision in microfabrication. The biosensor can be developed not only for E. coli bacteria but for others as well or other antigens depending upon the antibody added to the reference solution phase of the electrode.
Biosensors made in accordance with the invention can be easily manufactured using existing technology. It is possible to make a stable biosensor/liquid organic phase composition and to get a reproducible potential reading. The biosensor does not need to be precalibrated after development and can be easily shipped. The customer can easy calibrate it in his facility. The insertion of biocompounds of interest (antigen) outside the liquid organic phase can be easily done during biosensor calibration or during potential measurement. The biosensor is built out of organic material, all parts of biosensor composition can be easily made in reproducible way. The electronic equipment which was used to read the potential is the simplest pH/ionmeter one of the most inexpensive devices on the market. Each part of biosensor is disposable and can be shipped to the customer separately. The recharge can be very easily done by the customer or lab technician. No advanced education or special training is required to use the biosensor.
Ion selective electrodes constructed in accordance with the invention may be completely or partially disposable. This is particularly desirable for the construction of an ISE having a disposable tip which can be removed and exchanged for a different tip when testing for a different substance or when it is desired to switch from a biosensor to conventional ISE without the need to change the entire electrode setup.
The ion-selective electrode of the invention has particular utility as a sensor for organic and inorganic compounds or as a biosensor for the detection of antigens, antibodies, enzymes, microorganisms, substrates, hormones, receptors, or other bioorganic entities. The method of producing an electrode/biosensor in accordance with the invention is simple and inexpensive in comparison to prior art practices. The method is adapted to the fabrication of miniaturized or disposable electrodes or biosensors which have features generally recognized as being desirable but not hitherto attainable. The ion-selective electrode sensor of the invention has a ten times higher sensitivity compared to presently existing sensors and has several other advantages over existing electrodes: the ISE has no leakage from the organic phase, therefore the organic phase does not pose an environmental hazard; the ISE has better reproducibility and sensitivity; the ISE can be modified for use as a biosensor and both can be built as disposable devices.
As will be understood by those skilled in the art, various arrangements other than those described in detail in the specification will occur to those persons skilled in the art which arrangements lie within the spirit and scope of the invention. It is therefor to be understood that the invention is to be limited only by the claims appended hereto.
|1||*||I. A. Gur ev et al.; Zavodskaja laboratoria, 46, No. 6 497 (1980) ** Incorporated by reference in specification.|
|2||I. A. Gur'ev et al.; Zavodskaja laboratoria, 46, No. 6 497 (1980) ** Incorporated by reference in specification.|
|Citing Patent||Filing date||Publication date||Applicant||Title|
|US6377894||Nov 17, 1999||Apr 23, 2002||Abbott Laboratories||Analyte test instrument having improved calibration and communication processes|
|US6600997||Dec 14, 2001||Jul 29, 2003||Abbott Laboratories||Analyte test instrument having improved calibration and communication processes|
|US6773671||Nov 17, 1999||Aug 10, 2004||Abbott Laboratories||Multichemistry measuring device and test strips|
|US7453573 *||Sep 27, 2007||Nov 18, 2008||Fujifilm Corporation||Apparatus and method for measuring interaction between measurement-target sample substance and bioactive substance|
|US7645373||Jun 18, 2004||Jan 12, 2010||Roche Diagnostic Operations, Inc.||System and method for coding information on a biosensor test strip|
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|US7977112||Dec 9, 2008||Jul 12, 2011||Roche Diagnostics Operations, Inc.||System and method for determining an abused sensor during analyte measurement|
|US8058077||Jun 18, 2004||Nov 15, 2011||Roche Diagnostics Operations, Inc.||Method for coding information on a biosensor test strip|
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|US8083993||Dec 17, 2009||Dec 27, 2011||Riche Diagnostics Operations, Inc.||System and method for coding information on a biosensor test strip|
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|US8293538||Feb 24, 2010||Oct 23, 2012||Roche Diagnostics Operations, Inc.||System and method for coding information on a biosensor test strip|
|US8298828||Mar 13, 2012||Oct 30, 2012||Roche Diagnostics Operations, Inc.||System and method for determining the concentration of an analyte in a sample fluid|
|US8404100||Sep 11, 2006||Mar 26, 2013||Bayer Healthcare Llc||Gated voltammetry|
|US8425757||Dec 19, 2007||Apr 23, 2013||Bayer Healthcare Llc||Gated amperometry|
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|US8859293||Jun 2, 2011||Oct 14, 2014||Roche Diagnostics Operations, Inc.||Method for determining whether a disposable, dry regent, electrochemical test strip is unsuitable for use|
|US8877035||Mar 28, 2013||Nov 4, 2014||Bayer Healthcare Llc||Gated amperometry methods|
|US9110013||Dec 20, 2013||Aug 18, 2015||Bayer Healthcare Llc||Gated voltammetry methods|
|US9410915||Jul 14, 2014||Aug 9, 2016||Roche Operations Ltd.||System and method for quality assurance of a biosensor test strip|
|US9410917||Feb 28, 2014||Aug 9, 2016||Ascensia Diabetes Care Holdings Ag||Method of using a biosensor|
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|U.S. Classification||204/403.01, 204/416, 204/435, 435/817, 204/403.13, 422/82.03|
|Cooperative Classification||Y10S435/817, G01N27/3335|
|Dec 27, 1998||LAPS||Lapse for failure to pay maintenance fees|
|Mar 9, 1999||FP||Expired due to failure to pay maintenance fee|
Effective date: 19981227


State-Based Stimulus Package Initiatives | New South Wales
In addition to the nationwide packages, states and territories have also created local business relief packages. From payroll tax to cleaning and parking, State Government initiatives for New South Wales are outlined below. (Please click on the links below for more information.)
Payroll Tax Waiver
A payroll tax waiver is available for eligible businesses with payrolls up to $10m for Q4 FY2020 (April to June 2020).
Payroll Tax Threshold Increase
An increase to the payroll tax threshold for 2020-2021 from $900,000 to $1m. The increase is available from 1 July 2020 for all businesses which employ staff.
Payroll Tax Deferral
A deferral of 6 months is available for eligible businesses with payrolls greater than $10m, and 3 months for businesses with payrolls of up to $10m.
Specific Small Business Fee Waivers
$80m has been allocated to waive fees and charges for specific small businesses. Eligible businesses include bars, restaurants, trades and cafes.
Funding for Public Infrastructure Cleaners
$250m in funds have been allocated for the employment of public infrastructure cleaners (transport assets, public buildings and schools).
Gaming Tax Deferral
A 6-month deferral of gaming tax obligations for places such as clubs, pubs, hotels and the lotteries tax but conditionally given that the funds are used to retain staff.
Deferral of Parking Space levy
A 6-month deferral of the parking space levy for businesses that own off-street parking spaces and are subject to the parking levy.
Tenant Relief for Government-owed
A 6-month rent relief program has been made available for commercial tenants with less than 20 employees, for businesses with tenancy in Government-owned properties.
More information on NSW initiatives can be found on the below links:
Want to know more?
With the equity markets and Government support packages frequently changing, we are continually updating and creating new tools and information for you. To review the latest materials on COVID-19, please click here. This page will be regularly updated, so please check back in from time to time.
Below are some articles that may interest you:
- JobKeeper Payment: Relief for Employers and Employees
- Are you entitled to the Federal Government Stimulus Package
- Government Stimulus Package for Business
- Government Stimulus Package for Individuals
- Australian Tax Office Relief
Supporting you through the changes. From making the most of the stimulus initiatives, through to managing the risks associated with the impact of the Coronavirus, the Modoras team is here to help you build a resilient business. Make well-informed business decisions; contact us on 1300 888 803 book a catch up with a Modoras professional.
IMPORTANT INFORMATION: This blog has been prepared by Modoras Accounting (SYD) Pty. Ltd. ABN 18 622 475 521. The information and opinions contained in this blog is general information only and is not intended to represent specific personal advice (Accounting, taxation, financial, insurance or credit). No individuals’ personal circumstances have been taken into consideration for the preparation of this material. The information and opinions herein do not constitute any recommendation to purchase, sell or hold any particular financial product. Modoras Accounting (SYD) Pty. Ltd. recommends that no financial product or financial service be acquired or disposed of or financial strategy adopted without you first obtaining professional personal financial advice suitable and appropriate to your own personal needs, objectives, goals and circumstances. Information, forecasts and opinions contained in this blog can change without notice. Modoras Accounting (SYD) Pty. Ltd. does not guarantee the accuracy of the information at any particular time. Although care has been exercised in compiling the information contained within, Modoras Accounting (SYD) Pty. Ltd. does not warrant that the articles within are free from errors, inaccuracies or omissions. To the extent permissible by law, neither Modoras Accounting (SYD) Pty. Ltd. nor its employees, representatives or agents (including associated and affiliated companies) accept liability for loss or damages incurred as a result of a person acting in reliance of this publication. Liability limited by a scheme approved under Professional Standards Legislation.


text:
Last week, I discussed the messiness of healthcare. Today I want to discuss some steps towards solutions in thinking about how healthcare is delivered. I recently transitioned back into the private sector to work for a technology startup that delivers pediatric telehealth in the school systems across the country. The model is unique in that it works directly with schools to merge healthcare and educational outcomes. This work was directly in alignment with the work that I had done at Medicaid, so I found it challenging and exciting to think about how to be on the implementation side of a project. As a side note, the importance of this work is highlighted by the impact that education has on healthcare outcomes
I started my new position on the day that the U.S. began to lock down in response to COVID and as we began to restructure the way we considered delivering healthcare. Doctors across the nation whose practices were focused on in-person care were suddenly forced to consider technology options as a means to deliver care. The “normalcy” of healthcare delivery was upended. We saw the sustainability of traditional physician practices threatened as Americans avoided care in the face of the pandemic.
And the use of telehealth shifted upward:
Reflected in those numbers is the fact that telehealth only works for some healthcare visits and is not the overall solution for all healthcare practices.
From my experience, I think telehealth has value in reducing the disparities in accessing care for the poor. Inequality in income begets inequality in healthcare. There is reluctance to create traditional brick and mortar facilities in low income areas, patients often face issues with transportation, experience difficulties getting an appointment with a provider and reimbursement for Medicaid is low. When we begin to consider economic efficiency in delivering healthcare, we can free resources to address other issues that may go unsolved. I previously discussed the need to think of ways to reinvent and change the healthcare system, and this may be one of them. Telehealth and in-person access to care should be available equally to all demographics. When we take a thoughtful approach to how we deliver care, we can create effective and sustainable healthcare system.
What are your thoughts about telehealth? Have you personally used these services? I would love to hear your thoughts below!
3 thoughts on “Healthcare reinvention – telehealth”
Having grown up in a country where education was free, I think health care and education should be birth rights. Thank you for highlighting this topic!
Excellent topic Jodi! I am a huge fan of tele-health. Both of my adult children have utilized it through our insurance company, and both experiences were very positive. In addition, I feel that by using the service, urgent care or ER resources were saved for those who needed it. In both cases, my kids were assured their issues were not emergencies and prescriptions were issued, resolving their concerns. The co-pay was much lower than if they had turned up at the ER, they did not have to leave their homes, and someone truly in need of those in-person services was able to get through the waiting room quicker. I think it’s a win-win!!
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Whether or not we like it, it’s coming. Problems with poor audio/picture will be overcome. Lack of physical exam will be accepted. Good summary!

domain: sociology


text:
A 20MW Suez cement factory solar plant is set for construction in Egypt. This came to light following the signing of an agreement for the implementation of the project.
After receiving the required regulatory approvals, the construction of the solar plant will begin in 2023 and be completed in two years.
Expectations for the 20MW Suez cement factory solar plant
In 2H 2023, the facility will be connected to the public electrical grid. By converting to the usage of renewable energy, the 20MW Suez cement factory solar plant seeks to reduce power prices, while also making a contribution to the reduction of carbon emissions. It will not only supply electricity to the factory until 2043 but also prevent 22,000 tonnes of CO2 emissions annually.
According to Mohamed Hegazy, managing director of Suez Cement Group, renewable energy has numerous economic, social, and environmental advantages. It is abundant and less expensive, and it is a more thoughtful choice for the health of the entire planet. He added, “Without damaging the environment, transitioning to renewable energy lays the groundwork for low-carbon activity and energy security.”
Hegazy also highlighted the company’s goal to reduce net carbon emissions to 400 kg/tonne by 2030. This is equivalent to a reduction of 47% from the base year of 1990. Additionally, he said Suez Cement will continue the process of development in the building materials sector to achieve sustainability.
Suez Cement looking into all options for supplying operations with energy from renewable energy sources
Omar Khorshid, Head of the Technical Sector at Suez Cement Group, said the business is looking into all options for supplying operations with energy from renewable energy sources because cement making is a process that uses a lot of energy.
He emphasized that a key component of the company’s strategy is to increase the usage of clean electricity.

domain: news


DIE NEUEN SCHWEDEN are back! Together with the Swedish educational institute SENSUS MUSIC, we are excited to present the third edition of our joint project for young bands DIE NEUEN SCHWEDEN (“The New Swedes”). This year in late August, we will once again invite three Swedish newcomer bands to Berlin in order to take a look behind the thick curtain of the music industry. Together with the young musicians, we will venture on a music industry crawl through the city and present a showcase night at Urban Spree.
To gain insights into Berlin’s music scene, the three bands will visit various music labels & booking agencies, local radio stations & music magazines - in other words, all the makers of this music-obsessed city. Alongside the industry crawl, the bands will participate in our educational workshops, during which we will reveal some tips & tricks on press work and band profiling. The real icing on the cake is DIE NEUEN SCHWEDEN SHOWCASE that will take place on August 30 @ Urban Spree. Join our Facebook event & come along to get to know our New Swedes! This event is free for everyone.
Who are DIE NEUEN SCHWEDEN 2017?
MANY VOICES SPEAK
Many Voices Speak aka Matilda Mård released three singles in a month’s time last fall before dropping her debut EP “Away For All Time” in late October 2016. The EP was written and recorded in the small Swedish industrial town of Borlänge, where Matilda relocated to escape Stockholm’s busier pace. The songs on the EP have an airy freedom and calmness to them, which emanate from the space in which they were created. The single “Video Child” and the cover of the classic “Blue Moon” caught international acclaim from, among others, Stereogum, Noisey, The Line Of Best Fit, DIY and more. The dreamy indie pop and folk influences has been compared with Beach House and Destroyer, yet Matilda really has her own sound and vibe. The live debut took place at the festival Where’s The Music? in February 2017. Many Voices Speak will release a new single in August 2017, and her debut album is coming out later this fall.
Baula is a Swedish/Icelandic duo consisting of Kallo Thunberg and Ísak Ásgeirsson. They are based in Gothenburg and were formed right before Iceland Airwaves 2015, where they played eleven off-venue shows during the week-long festival. Baula released their second single “Just Like Yesterday” in January 2017. The song was reviewed in over 30 music blogs and described as “music that hurts” by the Swedish music magazine GAFFA. Baula will release their third single in August 2017.
Kuda, a Zimbabwean rapper based in Östersund, Sweden, is a name we mostly hear in the very private hallways of hip-hop social media. Kuda has a long love affair with hip-hop and the art of putting rhyme to beat to produce a well-thought-out verse and song. He centers the daily life of the working man, the eye in the street, the voice of reason and making money. He raps in multiple languages on his tracks, including Shona, Ndebele, Setswana, Zulu and English. Kuda has done collaborations with many artists, including Howard Who (RMH), Follow Him To The End Of The Desert and Johan Vuitton & Görda. In April 2017 he released his new EP “Therapy”. The videos for the first single “Intro” as well as the track “Outro” are out now on YouTube.


Glock pistols are fantastic for hidden bring. Their low MSRP makes them easy to hide. Since of their steel sights, they are not undetectable on X-ray devices.
The low MSRP of Glock pistols makes them a popular choice among newbies and experienced shooters. The trigger of a Glock pistol isn ‘t best, it ‘s still perfectly practical for self-defense and hobby shooting.
There are numerous Glock models to pick from, including the Glock 42, Glock 43, and the Glock 43. The Glock 42 is not as slim as the Glock 43, but it is still a pocket-friendly gun.
In addition to their low MSRP, Glock handguns are also understood for their toughness. In contrast, most other striker-fired pistols rely on the recoil spring to cock the striker.
The Glock 19 handgun was initially produced in 1988. It has developed into a number of generations since then. The business ‘s quality-conscious attitude triggered it to make a number of variations of the model. Each brand-new design improved the handgun and its features. The Glock Gen 4 and Gen 5 designs have ended up being popular with civilians and self-defense shooters alike. Do 5th Gen Glock Mags Work In Gen 3.
The Baltimore Police Department, Los Angeles Police Department, Miami Police Department, and Maryland State Police are all understood to utilize the Glock handgun. The Edmonton Police Service, Calgary Police Service, and Ottawa Police Service utilize Glock pistols for their patrols.
Glock produces five different models of its subcompact pistols. These pistols come in a variety of sizes.
Among the benefits of owning a Glock is their simple concealability. They are small sufficient to be hidden, yet large enough to take on full-sized weapons. Additionally, they are small enough not to unconform to smaller sized hands. As a result, Glocks are thought about workhorses by many. Here are a couple of tips to help you carry your Glock in an unobtrusive manner.
Glock pistols come in lots of sizes and models. To find the best one for your needs, check out the Glock handgun comparison guide.
For those who wish to bring hidden, there are two popular Glock designs: the g42 and the g43. Both weapons are little and easy to conceal, and both are popular among hidden carriers. The Glock 43 is and has a slim profile 3.39 inches long. This makes it one of the simplest concealed pistols offered.
Another excellent handgun for concealment is the Glock 48. This single-stack pistol is the perfect size to conceal.
A smaller sized grip, shorter sight radius, and less recoil make concealment simpler. It ‘s a huge advantage, particularly if you plan on hiding the weapon in a hidden carry situation.
The slim-profile G48 and G43x models are ideal for hidden bring. The slim frame and low-profile style make them simple to hide and are both striker-fired. For the most compact Glock, think about the G48.
When deciding in between a polymer or steel sight for your Glock, there are numerous various elements to consider. Of all, metal sights are far more long lasting than polymer sights.
Second, if you ‘re interested in competitors and target shooting, there are a variety of options available. While factory sights are usually decent for self-defense use, they ‘re not as great as those utilized for target or competition shooting. To solve this problem, Glock offers upgraded sights for its handgun models. Most Glock handguns come standard with cheap plastic sights, which are vulnerable to damage. If you ‘re not trying to find a sight for competitors, the basic sights are fine.
If you ‘re going to utilize your Glock during the night, a night sight may be the best choice. The Meprolight Feet Bullseye is a popular night sight for Glocks, and it ‘s an exceptional choice if you ‘re a nighttime shooter.
Do 5th Gen Glock Mags Work In Gen 3
While Glocks do have steel sights, you can also buy a set of night sights. These sights have a matte finish and serrations that minimize glare. These sights are also durable and wear ‘t requirement to be cleaned up with extreme solvents. In addition, they are easy to install and are easy to utilize.
Fiber optic sights are another great choice for Glock handguns. These sights are easy to show the sight and line up in any environment.
Depending upon the model, Glocks have either high or low sights. For 9mm GLOCK pistols, they have a low sight, while the 10mm GLOCKs have high sights. Designs 30S and 36 do not have high sights. The distinction is only in the height of the rear sight.
There are several Glock designs to choose from, including the Glock 42, Glock 43, and the Glock 43. The Glock 42 is not as slim as the Glock 43, however it is still a pocket-friendly weapon. To fix this issue, Glock offers upgraded sights for its pistol models. While Glocks do have steel sights, you can also acquire a pair of night sights. For 9mm GLOCK pistols, they have a low sight, while the 10mm GLOCKs have high sights. Do 5th Gen Glock Mags Work In Gen 3.


Bush hammering machine for slabs (up to a width of 2200 mm) complete with a motorized conveyor belt under the bridge with length mm. 1500 and 6 hammers for high production.
Flaming machine suitable for slabs equipped with hight pressure washing unit 900 bar. Working width mm. 2000. Including of roller conveyor at the loading and unloading.
Flaming and bush hammering machine suitable for strips, working width mm. 600. Including of conveyor belt, lenght mm. 1000 and a roller conveyors (not motorized) at the loading and unloading . Producer Aerre Service.


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About Tolne GGG
Tolne Gjæstgivergaard is a historic building from 1897 in Tolne, in the middle of Europe’s northernmost beech forest in Vendsyssel, Nordjylland, Denmark, with a train station right in front of it. TolneGGG has served as a meeting and lodging place since, a natural crossing of paths and ways, connecting residents along the old stone age coastline, farmlands, and forests. Tolne Skov Pavilion
As a guest at Tolne Gjæstgivergaard you can enjoy our flower gardens, take a walk in the woods, spend time reading a book in one of the antique chairs, or enroll in a ceramics course. Our seven renovated rooms, feature antique pine and teak furniture from the area. We have some of the best and most diverse kiln firing methods in all of Scandinavia, and guests can watch and learn about our ceramic making process, from throwing on the wheel to firing the kilns. In the summer time, our cafe is open and features locally roasted coffee, and select tea from Sing Tehus.
Guests can explore beautiful sites in Tolne Forest, a natural pearl of Vendsyssel which has been protected since 2000, quaint beach destinations like Lønstrup and Skagen, as well as the nearby Vendsyssel Historic Museum which focuses on the local landscape, Neolithic burial mounds, and historical farming exhibits.
We invite you to take a look at our calendar and see if there’s something that sparks your interest!
Who We Are
Janne Hieck and Gregory Hamilton Miller own Tolne Gjæstgivergaard. Janne is German, a master potter who studied at the ceramic facility in Landshut, Bavaria, and Gregory is an American who lived, worked and studied in Mashiko, Japan. Together they are parents to Quin (1), Iben (5) and Keiran (12), Aidan (15), and Hamilton (18). Janne and Gregory bought the property in July 2012, and have renovated it as their home, ceramic studio, gallery, café, meeting facility, and lodging alternative.
Janne and Gregory have traveled, taught, and exhibited widely around the world. They invite other ceramic artists to come and work, lecture and exhibit with them in Tolne, and both enjoy wood firing and salt/soda glazing. With help from volunteers from all over the world, we are continuously working to bring this dream to a reality. Guests from over 80 different countries have stayed at Tolne Gjæstgivergaard in the last four years.

domain: travel


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I hacked this Kmart wooden planter to make a cute bookbox for the kids, not bad right? Paint for the win.
So you know how I'm like a DIY blogger who hasn't shared a DIY project in for bloody ever. Yeah, sorry about that. Hopefully this wooden planter turned book box will make up for my too-many-free-printables-and-not-enough-crafting-ness. I know you guys love a good Kmart hack so you will be pleased to know that this planter is indeed from Kmart, ten bucks.
I created this book box about a month ago, originally it was supposed to be something to contain the crap pile/kitchen office that accumulates between my microwave and stereo but it looked so cute that I wanted it in the lounge room for the kids books. I took all these great pictures of the process and then lost my SD card.
Luckily I was making another one for my friend (which I filled with nappies and wrapped in cellophane for her baby shower gift) so I took some pictures as I made that one.
Then for some freakish reason THAT SD card decided to wipe itself and I couldn't retrieve them.
What the actual?
I gave up and decided to move on from the tutorial that obviously was never going to happen.
The ironic thing is that if I had used the box for the crap pile I would have realised that the first SD card was in fact happily sitting in said crap pile the whole freakin time. I'm not sure what the moral of the story is, any suggestions?
One wooden box – I used the planter box from Kmart.
Normal acrylic paint
Masking or Washi tape
A paint brush
Use your masking tape to create some sort of funky geometric pattern on the box, I measures and drew lines on it first to make sure that it was centred but whatevs. Now paint away! Next cut your contact into a scallop stencil, stick it onto the box and paint again.
Fill it with books, toys nappies for a new mum or whatever random crap-pile you have in your house.
If you enjoyed this post and want to give me a virtual fist bump you can follow me on Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, Twitter or sign up to my Mailing List. You can also 'pin', 'share', 'tweet' or 'like' this post using the buttons at the bottom of the post, xoxo babs

domain: design


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BlackBerry Cloud Service for Office 365 Available
Research In Motion today announced general availability of free cloud services for using and managing BlackBerry devices with the Microsoft Office 365 suite.
The struggling business smartphone manufacturer released a beta of the service in October and had promised to make it available in January.
Formally titled the BlackBerry Business Cloud Services for Microsoft Office 365, the main feature of the service allows for wireless synchronization between a BlackBerry device and Microsoft Exchange.
Another key end user feature is self-service security access that allows employees to reset their passwords and remotely lock or wipe their devices in case of loss or theft.
Some other features of the service should present opportunities to channel companies. "Managed service providers, systems integrators, carriers, resellers and other partners can also use the cloud service to manage BlackBerry deployments on behalf of their customers," RIM said in a statement.
The main administrative features is a Web-based console for provisioning, managing and securing BlackBerry devices.
An element aimed at both end user and IT audiences is BlackBerry Balance, a technology RIM describes as presenting a unified view of work and personal content on a BlackBerry while keeping the content separate and secure.
A similar BlackBerry service for Office 365's precursor, the Business Productivity Online Suite, originally cost $10. But RIM made the service free for BPOS a year ago and committed to making an Office 365 version free, as well, when it shipped.
In an interview with RCP last month, Tom Rizzo called BlackBerry support one of the most common customer requests for Office 365.
Posted by Scott Bekker on January 30, 2012


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Do s And Don ts Of Dental Crowns
A dental crown is the consist of or Fingertrip Pulse Oximeter cap that a dentist puts in excess of a cracked tooth. It is achieved to restore the tooth to its standard appear and perform. It is a person individual of the most widespread processes utilized in beauty dentistry. Porcelain crowns are the to begin with issue that most consumers inquire when on the lookout for elegance dentistry answers. It is a single of the most efficient and minimally invasive way of smile restoration. If you are also contemplating a dental crown procedure for smile restoration, you very first require to know the dos and don'ts of dental crowns. How about checking the very similar as beneath. nnnExamine out the Dos of Dental CrownsnUse Chunk Guard nnnnIt is generally a wonderful thought to put on custom created geared up mouth or chunk guard even though you cleanse or bite any foodstuff products with your tooth or if you are actively participating in any sport. This unit can aid in safeguarding your enamel and the crown as properly. As for every scientific checks, tooth clenching/grinding are amid the frequent aspects why dental crowns are impacted and therefore weakened. nnContinually Brush and FlossnnBrushing is nevertheless a should to-do with or without dental crowns. But the great importance is multiplied by manifolds just right after just one specific has dental crowns. As crowns are place on your tooth, the dentists normally counsel to brush your enamel on a every day foundation two periods a doing work working day. Not only brush your tooth 2 times a day but also do it correct is very important. With brushing flossing should to also concluded often. nnFrequent Dental VisitsnnYour dentist would continue on to keep a check out on your crown just to be selected that they are not dislodging your tooth enamel. For checking the ailment of your crown, it is frequently a fantastic plan to check out your dentist regularly. All as a result of your plan checkup, the dentist can effortlessly readjust (if thought of crucial) the crowns, devoid of any risk of receiving them weakened. nnnCheck out out out the Don'ts of Dental CrownsnMo Additional Chewing Tricky Substances nnWhile possessing dental crowns, it is generally advisable to purchase therapy of them in the most efficient attainable way. When the crown is equipped in your mouth then chewing a particularly truly tricky item is a substantial no - no. For that reason steer apparent of putting your finger nails, and tough items like your pen caps in your mouth and chew them. Also, if you have a terrible habits of opening foodstuff merchandise provides with your mouth, make absolutely sure you get rid of this on an fast impact. By performing all these points, you can be assured about the reality that your crown would last for a prolonged operate. nnnnNo Sticky Foods As EffectivelynnConsuming sticky foods stuff or tricky forms like ice can be a risky affair, specially when you have crowns on your tooth. Make confident you maintain absent from all the foodstuff like gummy candies to think about care of your crown in the most effective possible way. nnUsually the day to day living of dental crown is 15 yrs and a great deal extra. But this is doable only if you obtain fantastic procedure. Hope you will retain in intellect the formerly pointed out dos and don'ts as properly as assure regular visits to the dental clinic visits for retaining your crown for a extended time period. nnnnnnnnnnnnnClove Dental, the most considerable chain of multi-specialty dental clinics with 870+ capable specialists and 325+ clinics all much more than India featuring a comprehensive established of oral wellness therapy firms like root cannal, tooth whitening,bridges and dental crowns, cosmetic dentistry, youngsters dentistry and so forth.

domain: medical


Mayor Rawlings signs pledge to protect the Monarch butterfly in North Texas
Mayor Mike Rawlings and the City of Dallas are pledging to help conserve the endangered Monarch butterfly habitat by creating a migration highway throughout north Texas. The butterfly is one of the most recognizable pollinators in the world, but its numbers have declined by nearly 90 percent over the past 20 years.
The pledge commits the City to these initiatives to help the butterfly’s survival:
- Launch a public effort to plant Monarch gardens across the city
- Communicate with garden groups and citizens to urge them to plant native milkweed, the only plant where Monarchs will lay their eggs.
- Hold meetings with gardening leaders to discuss partnerships
- Support milkweed seed collection and planting effort
- Plant a Monarch-friendly garden at City Hall
- Create a Monarch neighborhood challenge
- Plant milkweed and nectar-producing plants in community gardens
- Allow for native prairie and plants
- Direct City staff to consider native milkweed and nectar plants at City properties
- Include Monarch conservation in long-range plans, including the City’s Sustainability Plan.
A number of factors have contributed to the decline in the Monarch butterfly population, including habitat loss from illegal logging during their winter migration, conversion of natural habitat to cropland, use of herbicides and pesticides, and drought.


Nice to meet you on Audiko.net! It’s easy to download a free DJ Cheb I Sabbah ringtones for your iPhone or mobile. Take your favorite snippet from your favorite audio track - Maheshvara Yogi, Rupa Tujhe Deva, Violin Solo, or any other track. It’s possible to receive your tone both in the MP3 and m4a formats, played by both mobile phones and iPhones. Just select a track, and choose free DJ Cheb I Sabbah ringtones download option.


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O'Malley: New Hampshire-Style Campaigning Will Pay Off
Democrat Martin O’Malley is campaigning in New Hampshire’s North Country this morning, meeting with a group of Democrats in Berlin.
The former Maryland Governor says while he polls at just five percent in New Hampshire in a new NBC News/Marist College survey, he says that’s up from the one percent he had when he launched his campaign. “It’s my hope that if we continue to meet more and more people and make our case for an economy that works again for all of us, where wages go up instead of down, we’ll garner another five percent in the next forty days,” O'Malley says.
O’Malley says he plans to continue what he called traditional New Hampshire campaigning, such as house party events, to boost his profile and win support.
Another Democratic candidate, former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, is set to return to New Hampshire on Tuesday.


Dynamic CNC press brakes provides high repeated accuracy of sheet component bending with high work output.
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- bending length: 2600 mm or 3100 mm


Wide range of radial and mixed flow centrifugal electric multistage pumps . Wide range of horizontal centrifugal pumps designed for waste water, slurry,.
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Submersible sludge pumps JS and XJS are excellent for pumping dirty water and water mixed with solids. The slim design makes the pump easy to move and.
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It will play in repertory with the European premiere of Harley Granville Barker’s Farewell to the Theatre, beginning performances Sept. 22, prior to press performances for both productions Oct. 5, for a run through Oct. 30.
In the second production, Asher will play Dorothy, an actress who is at the height of her powers but decides to stop acting and turn her attention to more serious pursuits. Asher previously starred at the Rose Theatre, Kingston in Peter Hall’s production of Bedroom Farce. In an extensive stage career that has stretched from the National and Royal Court to the West End, she has also appeared on Broadway 40 years ago when Christopher Hampton’s The Philanthropist transferred to New York.
Other cast members include Kirsty Besterman, Bruce Mackinnon and Jenny Rainsford. Full cast to be announced soon. Both productions will be directed by the Rose’s artistic director Stephen Unwin, whose recent productions include As You Like It, Hay Fever, Miss Julie and The Winslow Boy.
To book tickets, contact the box office on 08444 821 556, or visit www.rosetheatrekingston.org.

domain: entertainment


text:
Find the lodge you’ve been looking for in Ruidoso with Booking.com. We have the best inns and cottages in Ruidoso, good availability, and great rates. Whether you’re out to see something special or just exploring the area, you can select motor lodges or country lodges all over Ruidoso. Choose Booking.com for the lodge or inn for your Ruidoso vacation.
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Very cozy and clean and romantic.
Latest booking: 15 hours ago
Just 17 miles from Ski Apache, this hotel is 3 miles from of Inn of the Mountain Gods Casino and Ruidoso Downs Race Track. A continental breakfast with homemade muffins and free Wi-Fi is available.


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Frank Seddio had a pretty good night.
The former judge became Brooklyn’s new Democratic Party Chairman in an anticlimactic 36-2-3 vote in which he was the only candidate (Charles and Inez Barron voted no, and Jo Anne Simon, Chris Owens, and Mabel Brown abstained). The county committee meeting that preceded the vote at Kingsborough Community College in Manhattan Beach was a veritable lovefest among Brooklyn’s disparate factions. And his scandal-plagued predecessor, Assemblyman Vito Lopez, didn’t even bother to show up.
The only thing missing was a pillar of white smoke emanating from the roof of the college’s Performing Arts Center.
“It’s a new day in Brooklyn,” said Seddio, adding, “We are all united, and the change that we do makes us feel positive abou the direction of the party.”
Seddio had broad support among the county’s traditional power brokers in southern and central Brooklyn, including rank-and-file members of the influential Thomas Jefferson Club, where he remains its president. Assemblyman Alan Maisel, who has known Seddio for 35 years, was excited his friend will get the chance to lead the party.
“He’s going to work with everyone and he’s going to bring people together,” he said. “He’s a very kind and generous person.”
In the past week, Seddio reached out to Brownstone Brooklyn and North Brooklyn’s political reform groups, including the New Kings Democrats, who had felt excluded from the party’s decisions. He already began dismantling several of the policies Lopez introduced in recent years, including the elimination of at-large district leaders, and offered one of his rivals, District Leader Jo Anne Simon, a position to co-chair the Rules Committee. Simon dropped her challenge to the party chairmanship and abstained from the final vote.
“[The reforms] are overdue and an essential step in the right direction,” she said. “I am confident we will carry out these changes and the rules committee will be fair and balanced.”
Not everyone was pleased by the results.
Councilman Charles Barron warned that district leaders would regret their decision and suggested that the rules be changed to allow the county’s committee members to pick the party’s leader.
“This is going to be a sequel to Vito Lopez,” he said. “This committee has made several mistakes selecting the county leader and this is about to be another one. We need integrity and respectability.”
But Councilman Lew Fidler, a vociferous Lopez critic who manages to earn Lopez’s respect, was optimistic that Seddio would bring changes to the party.
“We’re going to pass reforms that would have been unthinkable under Vito, and with unanimous support,” said Fidler, who chastised Lopez for adding at-large members at a county committee meeting two years ago. “We have Republicans to beat in this county. We have to stop beating each other up.”
Updated to include more information about the vote.


Welcome to the official channel for Pakistan Super League, a professional Twenty20 cricket league with six teams: Karachi Kings, Islamabad United, Multan Sultans, Lahore Qalandars, Peshawar Zalmi and Quetta Gladiators. Join us we bring you exclusive content, behind the scenes footage, interviews, highlights and more from the biggest sporting event in the country. Pakistan Super League’s YouTube channel is managed by Dot Republic Media. All Copyright Rights Reserved. Subscribe to our YouTube channel: https://bit.ly/SubscribeNowPSLT20 Like us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thePSL/ Follow us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/thepslt20 Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thepsl/ Join us on Tiktok: https://tiktok.com/@thepsl Visit our website: https://www.psl-t20.com/ Follow us on: https://www.dailymotion.com/pakistansuperleagueoffical
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