Imaging of Suspected Stroke in Children, From the AJR Special Series on Emergency Radiology.

Pediatric stroke encompasses different causes, clinical presentations, and associated conditions across ages. Although it is relatively uncommon, pediatric stroke presents with poor short- and long-term outcomes in many cases. Because of a wide range of overlapping presenting symptoms between pediatric stroke and other more common conditions, such as migraine and seizures, stroke diagnosis can be challenging or delayed in children. When combined with a comprehensive medical history and physical examination, neuroimaging plays a crucial role in diagnosing stroke and differentiating stroke mimics. This review highlights the current neuroimaging workup for diagnosing pediatric stroke in the emergency department, describes advantages and disadvantages of different imaging modalities, highlights disorders that predispose children to infarct or hemorrhage, and presents an overview of stroke mimics. Key differences in the initial approach to suspected stroke between children and adults are also discussed.

Threat assessment: managing violently inclined situations.

In this article, the author, one of the pioneers in the develop- ment of threat assessment systems, presents the core con- cepts that healthcare security directors will need to under- stand in helping employees who require assistance in dealing with stalking, domestic violence, or other potentially violent situations.

Marketing netcoatings for aquaculture.

Unsustainable harvesting of natural fish stocks is driving an ever growing marine aquaculture industry. Part of the aquaculture support industry is net suppliers who provide producers with nets used in confining fish while they are grown to market size. Biofouling must be addressed in marine environments to ensure maximum product growth by maintaining water flow and waste removal through the nets. Biofouling is managed with copper and organic biocide based net coatings. The aquaculture industry provides a case study for business issues related to entry of improved fouling management technology into the marketplace. Several major hurdles hinder entry of improved novel technologies into the market. The first hurdle is due to the structure of business relationships. Net suppliers can actually cut their business profits dramatically by introducing improved technologies. A second major hurdle is financial costs of registration and demonstration of efficacy and quality product with a new technology. Costs of registration are prohibitive if only the net coatings market is involved. Demonstration of quality product requires collaboration and a team approach between formulators, net suppliers and farmers. An alternative solution is a vertically integrated business model in which the support business and product production business are part of the same company.

Determination of humeral inclination in stemless shoulder arthroplasty using plain radiographs.

Plain radiographs of the shoulder are routinely used to assess implant orientation after shoulder arthroplasty. Recently, humeral inclination has come into focus especially in reverse stemless shoulder arthroplasty. But, in X-ray projections not exactly parallel to the base of the humeral component, the humeral inclination angle cannot be determined precisely. Therefore, we established a mathematical algorithm to calculate the humeral neck shaft angle and counterchecked the formula using plain radiographs of a sawbone model containing a humeral head prosthesis. With increasing angles of retroversion, the base of the humeral component forms an ellipse in plain radiographs. Knowing the width and length of the ellipse as well as the inclination angle in a plain radiograph, the exact inclination angle can be determined using the equation reported below. Thus, independent from the viewing angle or angle of retroversion, the inclination angle of a stemless humeral head implant can be estimated with an accuracy of ±1.5-degree deviation. The algorithm proposed may be the basis for further research on the impact of humeral inclination in stemless shoulder arthroplasty.

The effects of thermal acclimation on lethal temperatures and critical thermal limits in the green vegetable bug, Nezara viridula (L.) (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae).

According to geographical distribution, Nezara viridula (Heteroptera: Pentatomidae) can be found across tropical, subtropical, and temperate regions and this pattern is assumed to reflect differences in thermal adaptation, particularly in cold tolerance. Here the lethal temperature (LT) and critical thermal limits (CTL) (thermal tolerance) are examined for N. viridula. The upper LT for N. viridula at two contrasting climate locations (Breeza and Grafton, New South Wales, Australia) was 40.3°C with 20% survival under the stress of high temperature. The lower LT did not differ between these two populations and was -8.0°C with 20% survival under low temperature stress. Survival of N. viridula increased after acclimation at high temperature for 7 days. In contrast, when acclimated at lower temperatures (10 and 15°C), survival of Breeza and Grafton N. viridula was lower than 20% at -8.0°C. Control-reared N. viridula adults (25°C) had a mean CT(MinOnset) (cold stupor) of 1.3 ± 2.1°C and a mean CT(Max) (heat coma) of 45.9 ± 0.9°C. After 7 days of acclimation at 10, 20, 30, or 35°C, N. viridula adults exhibited a 1°C change in CT(Max) and a ~1.5°C change in CT(MinOnset). CT(Max) and CT(MinOnset) of Breeza and Grafton N. viridula populations did not differ across acclimation temperatures. These results suggest that short-term temperature acclimation is more important than provenance for determining LTs and CTL in N. viridula.