Measuring autism spectrum disorder: associated features and diagnostic criteria

The overall aim of this thesis is to use the distinctive “spectrum” approach uniquely offered by the Diagnostic Interview for Social and Communication Disorders (DISCO) to explore the different descriptions of Autism Spectrum Disorder across four parts of the thesis. Part 1 introduces the concept of an “autism spectrum” and evaluates how this is continually developing. In Part 2, the focus is on the associated behaviours of ASD, that is, the behaviours not used to make a diagnosis. Sensory behaviours were found to be related to the core features of ASD, to maladaptive behaviours and were found to mediate the relationship between maladaptive behaviours and the core features of ASD, implicating sensory behaviours as having a particularly influential role in the behavioural manifestation of ASD. Further work addressed the lack of research on adults and found high-functioning adults with ASD reported significantly more sensory behaviours than IQ matched typically developing adults. Part 3 explored the measurement characteristics of two definitions of ASD: Wing and Gould (1979) and the new Diagnostic and Statistical Manual for Mental Disorders (DSM-5). A new diagnostic algorithm for DSM-5 criteria using DISCO data was designed and tested. Results showed that when the DSM-5 behaviours were mapped accurately onto a tool that is capable of measuring the spectrum, the DSM-5 criteria were found to have both good sensitivity and specificity. An advantage of the DISCO is the range of behaviours included. Comparison with Wing and Gould’s measure revealed a strong overlap in spectrum concepts and one single element “quality of social interaction” had excellent diagnostic accuracy alone. Finally, in Part 4 the findings from Part 2 and 3 are brought together and discussed and a revised definition of the “autism spectrum” is proposed with regards to a continuum of reciprocal social interaction, which proposes that the pattern of behaviours seen in ASD need to be considered in combination

Size-Dependent Deposition, Translocation, and Microglial Activation of Inhaled Silver Nanoparticles in the Rodent Nose and Brain.

BackgroundSilver nanoparticles (AgNP) are present in personal, commercial, and industrial products, which are often aerosolized. Current understanding of the deposition, translocation, and health-related impacts of AgNP inhalation is limited.ObjectivesWe determined a) the deposition and retention of inhaled Ag in the nasal cavity from nose-only exposure; b) the timing for Ag translocation to and retention/clearance in the olfactory bulb (OB); and c) whether the presence of Ag in the OB affects microglial activity.MethodsMale Sprague-Dawley rats were exposed nose-only to citrate-buffered 20- or 110-nm AgNP (C20 or C110, respectively) or citrate buffer alone for 6 hr. The nasal cavity and OB were examined for the presence of Ag and for biological responses up to 56 days post-exposure (8 weeks).ResultsThe highest nasal Ag deposition was observed on Day 0 for both AgNP sizes. Inhalation of aerosolized C20 resulted in rapid translocation of Ag to the OB and in microglial activation at Days 0, 1, and 7. In contrast, inhalation of C110 resulted in a gradual but progressive transport of Ag to and retention in the OB, with a trend for microglial activation to variably be above control.ConclusionsThe results of this study show that after rats experienced a 6-hr inhalation exposure to 20- and 110-nm AgNP at a single point in time, Ag deposition in the nose, the rate of translocation to the brain, and subsequent microglial activation in the OB differed depending on AgNP size and time since exposure. Citation: Patchin ES, Anderson DS, Silva RM, Uyeminami DL, Scott GM, Guo T, Van Winkle LS, Pinkerton KE. 2016. Size-dependent deposition, translocation, and microglial activation of inhaled silver nanoparticles in the rodent nose and brain. Environ Health Perspect 124:1870-1875; http://dx.doi.org/10.1289/EHP234

Comparison of an Antioxidant Source and Antioxidant Plus BCAA on Athletic Performance and Post Exercise Recovery of Horses

Antioxidant supplementation decreases postexercise oxidative stress but could also decrease muscle pro- tein synthesis. This study compared the effects of three diets: low antioxidant (control, CON), high an- tioxidant (AO), and branched-chain amino acid high antioxidant (BCAO) supplementation on postexercise protein synthesis and oxidative stress. We hypothesized that supplementing antioxidants with branched- chain amino acids(BCAA) would reduce oxidative stress without hindering muscle protein synthesis. Eigh- teen mixed-breed polo horses (11 mares and 7 geldings, with age range between 5 and 18 years, were on CON diet for 30 days (from day -45 until day 0) and then were assigned to one of the treatments after the first lactate threshold test (day 0, LT). LT were also conducted on days 15 and 30 of supplemenation. Ox- idative stress was assessed by measuring blood glutathione peroxidase, superoxide dismutase, and mal- ondialdehyde concentrations before 2 and 4 hours after each LT. Muscle biopsies were taken before and 4 hours after each LT and analyzed for gene expression of protein synthesis by RTqPCR. Data were analyzed by ANOVA and compared by least-square means. A reduction in oxidative stress occurred over time ( P \u3c .05), from day 0 to day 30. An up-regulation in the abundance of muscle protein mRNA transcripts was found for CD36, CPT1, PDK4, MYF5, and MYOG ( P \u3c .05) after all lactate threshold tests, without a treat- ment effect. A treatment-by-exercise effect was observed for MYOD1 ( P = .0041). Transcript abundance was upregulated in AO samples post exercise compared to other treatments. MYF6 exhibited a time-by- treatment effect ( P = .045), where abundance increased more in AO samples from day 0 to day 15 and 30 compared to other treatments. Transcript abundance for metabolic and myogenic genes was upreg- ulated in post exercise muscle samples with no advantage from supplementation of antioxidants with branched-chain amino acids compared to antioxidants alone

Pattern of joint damage in persons with knee osteoarthritis and concomitant ACL tears.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the morphological changes of the lateral meniscus in end-stage lateral compartment osteoarthritis (OA) of the knee. METHODS: One hundred fifty-eight knee joints from 133 patients that subsequently underwent total knee joint arthroplasty from January 2008 to December 2009 were enrolled. There were 26 men and 107 women. Their ages ranged from 56 to 81 (mean 67.4 + 6.5 years). All study participants had complete obliteration of the lateral joint space identified by weight-bearing radiography. Meniscal position was assessed by measuring meniscal subluxation and meniscal height. The meniscal morphology was assessed using a modification of the whole-organ magnetic resonance imaging score (WORMS). The frequency of different meniscal morphology and their respective positions was calculated. RESULTS: The predominant type (42.4%, 53.8% and 52.5% in the anterior horn, mid-body and posterior horn, respectively) of abnormal meniscal morphology was a complete maceration/destruction or complete resection. The anterior horn of non-macerated lateral meniscus was more subluxed than that of the non-macerated medial meniscus in patients with lateral OA. CONCLUSION: This study suggests that the lateral meniscus in persons with end-stage lateral OA are mostly macerated or destroyed. Also, unlike isolated end-staged medial compartment OA, the anterior horn of the lateral meniscus in isolated end-stage lateral OA is commonly affected. Copyright 2011 Osteoarthritis Research Society International. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved

Comparison of Hermetic Storage of Wheat with Traditional Storage Methods in India

India is among the countries experiencing high postharvest losses. Four hermetic bags, two metallic bins, and two gunny bag (also known as jute or burlap bag) piles each containing 1 tonne of wheat were instrumented with temperature, relative humidity, and carbon dioxide sensors. Representative samples from each structure were collected each month and tests for moisture, germination, insect-damaged grain, and milling yield were performed. After nine months, wheat stored in hermetic bags had higher germination (87%) and lower insect-damaged grain percentages (0% to 0.33% with a mean value of 0.2%). Hermetic bags with deliberately introduced Rhyzopertha dominica successfully eliminated the pests. Gunny bag piles had infestations; metallic bins also were infested. Wheat moisture content in all structures varied depending upon ambient conditions; moisture variation was largest in gunny bag piles. Milling yields were lowest for gunny bag piles. Hermetic bags can be an effective and environmentally friendly solution for reducing storage losses of wheat in India

Prevention of lacerations at time of operative delivery: An evaluation of quality improvement interventions

Objective: To test the ability of a targeted intervention to decrease rates of vaginal or perineal lacerations occurring at the time of operative delivery. We used available evidence to implement an educational and clinical support program to promote operative delivery simulation and teaching. We hypothesized our quality improvement intervention supporting increased frequency of operative delivery simulation and training would show a decrease in the occurrence of lacerations following operative delivery.Methods: We are conducting a retrospective cohort study following the implementation of our quality improvement initiative promoting more frequent operative delivery simulations and training to assess the association with a decrease in vaginal or perineal lacerations at the time of operative delivery. This quality improvement initiative was instituted at our academic care center in 2018. The program included a needs assessment, simulation of operative delivery, online educational material as well as expanded core outcome documentation following operative deliveries. We analyzed rates and types of operative vaginal delivery birth in pregnancies at or beyond 35 weeks of gestation without a contraindication to operative delivery. We also analyzed rates of vaginal or perineal lacerations occurring after operative vaginal delivery using both vacuum and forceps instrumentation.Aim Statement: "To evaluate if increasing the frequency of operative delivery simulations of both forceps and vacuum delivery along with education to prevent perineal lacerations will show an associated decrease in vaginal or perineal lacerations during the time of operative delivery."Conclusions: We aim to prove an intervention that included systematic promotion and support of increased frequency of operative delivery simulation training/simulation is associated with an decrease in the rate of vaginal or perineal laceration at the time of operative delivery

Georgia College & State University Nursing Program

In order to evaluate the effectiveness of the Georgia College & State University (GC&SU) Nursing Program, a non-experimental, survey research study was conducted by senior nursing students in the Nursing Research class. The survey evaluated the teaching and learning strategies used in the program, the students\u27 perceptions of preparedness for nursing after graduation, and the students\u27 perceptions of the strengths and weaknesses of the GC&SU nursing curriculum. Each participant signed an informed consent form. Forty-five out of a possible 142 nursing students responded to the survey. A statistical analysis of the responses was conducted and comparisons of answers were analyzed across the different nursing cohorts. Implications and recommendations for changes for the GC&SU Nursing Program were stated. As demand for registered nurses continues to increase, nursing programs in the United States are rising to meet this need by educating clinically proficient nurses. GC&SU nursing program graduates approximately 80 nursing students per year. In May 2003, 94% of the nursing graduates passed the licensure exam, helping fill the need in healthcare settings. Nursing faculty realize that they must prepare nurses who are adept at performing essential nursing skills including assessment, safe medication administration, nursing care for ill clients and health teaching

Sustainability as corporate culture of a brand for superior performance

This is the post-print version of the final paper published in the Journal of World Business. The published article is available from the link below. Changes resulting from the publishing process, such as peer review, editing, corrections, structural formatting, and other quality control mechanisms may not be reflected in this document. Changes may have been made to this work since it was submitted for publication. Copyright @ 2012 Elsevier B.V.Sustainability research highlights new challenges and opportunities for businesses. This paper reviews the literature to understand the ability of sustainable green initiatives when practiced as a corporate culture to individually create new opportunities for operations, management and marketing. According to current research, business opportunities exclusively available to different functions of a firm can drive its performance. The role of marketing in the achievement of superior performance by virtue of sustainability practices is also explained by the existing literature. Branding literature, however, fails to explain the influence of a brand on sustainability-driven opportunities available to a firm for superior performance. The objective of this study is to explore if a brand can strengthen the ability of sustainability-based green initiatives of managers to drive opportunities available to a firm for superior performance. A conceptual framework grounded in the triple bottom line theory is presented based on the assumption that brand as a stimulating factor can accelerate the conversion of opportunities available to a business into superior performance. Academic and managerial perspectives have been used to draw upon the implications of the model. Both practitioners and academic researchers will benefit from future research on this topic

Satori 2018

The Satori is a student literary publication that expresses the artistic spirit of the students of Winona State University. Student poetry, prose, and graphic art are published in the Satori every spring since 1970. The Satori 2018 editors are Sajda Omar (Editor-in-Chief), Kylie Hoff, Keyanna Hultman, Audrey Sitte, Elyse Hoffmann. Art Director and Designer by Elyse Hoffmann. The 2018 Faculty advisor is Dr. Elizabeth Oness, Professor of English.https://openriver.winona.edu/satori/1012/thumbnail.jp