Kent State University, East Liverpool

Cerebral malaria (CM) is a severe infection of the brain caused by the parasite Plasmodium falciparum. It is commonly found as a complication of infection traveling to the brain. CM has a poor prognosis unless promptly identified and treated. This case report describes a 15-year-old girl who suddenly started experiencing a tonic-clonic seizure while playing. At the time of arrival at the emergency department, her vital signs were consistent with shock. She had hepatomegaly on physical examination, a hallmark of malarial infection due to an immune response against the proliferation of the protozoa. Peripheral blood smear for malaria parasites was positive for P. falciparum and P. vivax. The patient was started on intravenous (IV) saline, IV phenytoin, and IV metoclopramide. She was also transfused with two units of packed red blood cells. The patient was subsequently diagnosed with CM. For most patients, the course of treatment includes aggressive therapy with anti-malarial medications. She was started on broad-spectrum antibiotics and anti-malarial medications. Following two weeks of treatment, her condition improved significantly and she was discharged.

The tailor's bunion deformity can be very debilitating for patients considering surgical intervention. Here we describe a minimally invasive surgical approach to correcting this deformity utilizing a new intramedullary fixation system within the fifth metatarsal. We are pleased to describe that this implant offers an immense amount of inherent stability and allows for translation of the fifth metatarsal head both dorsally and medially to account for abnormal plantar and/or lateral pressure secondary to the deformity.

STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) holds a special position in higher education, and data indicated that online teaching may increase the rate of dropout in STEM courses. Meanwhile, much higher percentage of STEM courses require hands-on experience that cannot be satisfied by online teaching and the virtual reality (VR) techniques. Flipping classroom provides a unique approach to utilize the components of online teaching and the advantage of traditional face-to-face classroom teaching. This chapter summarizes the development of flipping classroom and practical examples to explain the general principles to improve the design and conduction of flipping classroom, especially in STEM education.

Acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) is an inflammatory lung disease with a high morbidity and mortality rate, for which no pharmacologic treatment is currently available. Our previous studies discovered that a pivotal step in the disease process is the activation of the nuclear factor of activated T cells (NFAT) c3 in lung macrophages, suggesting that inhibitors against the upstream protein phosphatase calcineurin should be effective for prevention/treatment of ARDS. Herein, we report the development of a highly potent, cell-permeable, and metabolically stable peptidyl inhibitor, CNI103, which selectively blocks the interaction between calcineurin and NFATc3, through computational and medicinal chemistry. CNI103 specifically inhibited calcineurin signaling in vitro and in vivo and exhibited a favorable pharmacokinetic profile, broad tissue distribution following different routes of administration, and minimal toxicity. Our data indicate that CNI103 is a promising novel treatment for ARDS and other inflammatory diseases.

This chapter explores subversive and hegemonic epistemologies in virtual networked learning environments. Based in the conceptual framework of critical theory, the research methodology utilized in this chapter is the practice of articulation to explain changes in epistemologies with symbolic action (externalizing thoughts into communications by emphasizing the gap between the symbols in our society and the experienced reality). It is found that the common ways in which learning and knowing are negotiated in a physical classroom, as compared to a virtual environment, differ significantly on the basis of how time, space, the body and the mind are both controlled and constructed. In the presented definition of networked learning, the differences are found to be centered on subversive ways of “knowing” when contrasted with traditional, hegemonic onsite learning environments. In order to explain those differences, a description of the historical significance of accreditation in monitoring and regulating traditional educational environments is presented in terms of hegemonic power structures. Subversive epistemologies employed in sites of networked learning suggest that there may be a need for a more appropriate ethic. The chapter concludes with an examination of the potential for such an ethic by the establishment of an emancipatory pedagogy for networked learning in virtual environments.

Background Relationships between household air pollution (HAP) and risk of key disease outcomes suggest that low levels may be needed in order to realise the majority of the potential health benefi...

This paper offers a critical review and reflection of the 1991 University of Iowa shootings. Gang Lu, a disgruntled Iowa graduate student, was initially angered over perceived slights he was receiving from his academic department. When he felt that his concerns were left unanswered by the University, he decided to seek revenge on those whom he felt were responsible. In doing so, he murdered five individuals and paralyzed another before taking his own life. This paper seeks to reflect on these shootings twenty years after the occurrence and to offer a discussion of some of the larger societal themes raised by this tragedy.

It was recently hypothesized that indigenous belief systems might have a bearing on attitudes toward HIV/AIDS prevention in Southern Africa. This article comprises the first empirical test of the hypothesis. Participants (n = 407) lived in a remote rural area of KwaZulu Natal, South Africa, and were divided into younger (18-24 years) and older (35-45 years) cohorts. All participants completed a questionnaire measuring Attitudes to AIDS Precautions, indigenous knowledge, indigenous beliefs about ancestral protection, and indigenous beliefs about illness. Indigenous beliefs pertaining to health behavior emerged as multidimensional in both structure and effect. Among older participants, there were significant associations between indigenous belief measures and Attitudes to AIDS Precautions. In this group, a strong belief in ancestral protection was associated with more negative Attitudes to AIDS Precautions, whereas a strong belief in traditional explanations for illness was associated with more positive Attitudes to AIDS Precautions. The indigenous beliefs measures were not associated with Attitudes to AIDS Precautions among younger participants. The data lend modest support to the hypothesis that indigenous beliefs have a measurable association with attitudes to AIDS prevention, although these associations may be diminishing across generations. Further research, exploring a wider range of indigenous beliefs and focusing on actual precautionary behaviors rather than attitudes, seems merited.

Concerns associated with backpack use among today's schoolchildren and adolescents have recently been raised. The presence of back discomfort, negative postural changes, and potential injury associated with the transport of heavy backpacks is now prevalent in increasing proportions. These problems may be a significant factor in the development of mobility problems during a child's adult years. The purpose of this article is to describe the potential dangers associated with backpack use and to discuss useful strategies that may be helpful in the prevention of injury and the promotion of wellness for today's youth.