Abstract Probiotics are live microorganisms that, when administered in adequate amounts, confer a health benefit on the host. They are often used to improve intestinal health. In this study, phenotypic and genotypic methods were used to evaluate the probiotic properties of Bacillus altitudinis 1.4. The isolate was sensitive to all tested antimicrobials and showed a positive result in the hemolysis test. The results also indicated that the spores of B. altitudinis 1.4 were more resistant than the vegetative cells, when evaluated in a simulation of cell viability in the gastrointestinal tract, as well as adhesion to the intestinal mucosa. The isolate was able to self-aggregate and coaggregate with pathogens such as Escherichia coli ATCC 25922 and Salmonella Enteritidis ATCC 13076. Genomic analysis revealed the presence of genes with probiotic characteristics, such as fglA-L, motA, motB, luxS, pgaA-D, exoX, epsG. From this study, it was possible to evaluate the gene expression of pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory cytokines for different treatments. Viable vegetative cells of B. altitudinis 1.4 increased the transcription of pro-inflammatory factors, such as TNFα, NFkβ, TLR2, in addition to also increasing the transcription of IL-10, indicating a tendency to stimulate a pro-inflammatory profile. In view of the results presented, B. altitudinis 1.4 showed the potential to be applied in the incorporation of this microorganism in animal feed, since the spores could tolerate the handling and pelleting processes of the feed.

Many ancient Greek cities are characterised by a regular orthogonal road network. These roads are ideal targets for geophysical investigation mainly due to their extensive geographic extent that makes them challenging to define by excavation. Geophysical mapping of these features will contribute to understanding ancient cities as it can provide considerable information about their geographic extent, spatial arrangement and urban dynamics. Large scale multisensor magnetic and electromagnetic induction methods have been used to map the ancient Greek city of Elis in the Peloponnese (Greece). This work complements other investigations that have been undertaken, employing other methods that include the interpretation of high-resolution satellite imagery (Donati and Sarris forthcoming).

During the 19th century maritime trade and traffic was expanding rapidly along South Australia’s coastline (Parsons, 1983: 5; Griffin & McCaskill, 1986: 20; Jeffery, 1989: 52; Coroneos, 1997: 19). These increases in shipping in combination with the rugged and relatively sparsely populated coastline led to an increase in shipwrecks, cargo loss, and loss of life. As a result, lifesaving stations and shipwreck shelter huts were erected along the coast and on Kangaroo Island in an effort to decrease the effects of these maritime disasters, aid in the recovery of shipwreck survivors and cargo, and prevent further deaths from occurring once individuals made it ashore. Records indicate that as early as 1905, and probably earlier, shipwreck shelter huts were erected on the western end of Kangaroo Island (Thorpe, 1905; Admiralty Chart, 1913; Clare, n.d.; Rocky River Flinders Chase National Park Visitor Centre, n.d.; Hope Cottage National Trust Museum in Kingscote, n.d.). These stations were simply huts built of corrugated metal, wood and stone. There were no individuals stationed at the huts to provide assistance, but they contained enough supplies to sustain shipwreck survivors until further help arrived or until such time as they were well enough to walk for help. Items such as bread, meat, water, blankets and rockets were stored inside. A notice board was posted outside declaring that the supplies were only to be used by shipwreck survivors, indicating the location of the nearest settlement, and providing instructions for opening the stores and for firing rockets. It is uncertain if any shipwrecked people ever used these shelter huts; however, they remain an interesting and integral part of the maritime history of South Australia and Kangaroo Island. This article is the result of a project designed to locate and document the archaeological remains of two early shipwreck shelter huts located at Cape du Couedic and West Bay on Kangaroo Island. The documentation of these shipwreck shelter huts is the beginning of a needed investigation of shore-based lifesaving and shelter hut stations. Much like shipwreck survivor camps (Gibbs, 2003: 128–129), maritime archaeologists have paid little attention to these sites as they are located onshore and are separate from shipwreck events. When these sites have been addressed, they are treated subsidiary to the particular details of a single shipwreck event (Society for Underwater Historical Research [SUHR], 1977; Smith, et al., 2005). Although preliminary, this paper will outline an archaeological survey programme for two shipwreck shelter huts in an effort to establish these as a site type and place them within a larger comparative framework of maritime archaeological sites, including shipwrecks, and other maritime infrastructure.

A novel production process flow is presented here for the manufacture of hollow silicon microneedles using deep reactive-ion etching (DRIE) technology. The patent-pending three-step process flow has been developed to produce multiple arrays of sharp-tipped, hollow microneedles, which facilitate easy insertion and controlled fluid injection into excised skin samples. A bevelled tip and vertical sidewalls for the microneedle have been achieved with good uniformity, despite >45% open etch area. Processing steps and etch challenges are discussed, and preliminary skin testing results are presented, showing effective needle insertion and delivery of fluorescent dye into ex vivo skin from human breast tissue.