PhytoOracle: Scalable, modular phenomics data processing pipelines.

As phenomics data volume and dimensionality increase due to advancements in sensor technology, there is an urgent need to develop and implement scalable data processing pipelines. Current phenomics data processing pipelines lack modularity, extensibility, and processing distribution across sensor modalities and phenotyping platforms. To address these challenges, we developed PhytoOracle (PO), a suite of modular, scalable pipelines for processing large volumes of field phenomics RGB, thermal, PSII chlorophyll fluorescence 2D images, and 3D point clouds.

Optical Manipulation along an Optical Axis with a Polarization Sensitive Meta-Lens.

The ability to manipulate small objects with focused laser beams opens a broad spectrum of opportunities in fundamental and applied studies, for which precise control over mechanical path and stability is required. Although conventional optical tweezers are based on refractive optics, the development of compact trapping devices that could be integrated within fluid cells is in high demand. Here, a plasmonic polarization-sensitive metasurface-based lens, embedded within a fluid, is demonstrated to provide several stable trapping centers along the optical axis.

Placental malaria is rare among Zanzibari pregnant women who did not receive intermittent preventive treatment in pregnancy.

Zanzibar has transitioned from malaria control to the pre-elimination phase, and the continued need for intermittent preventive treatment during pregnancy (IPTp) has been questioned. We conducted a prospective observational study to estimate placental malaria positivity rate among women who did not receive IPTp with sulfadoxine-pyrimethamine. A convenience sample of pregnant women was enrolled from six clinics on the day of delivery from August of 2011 to September of 2012.

Efficient separation of conjugated polymers using a water soluble glycoprotein matrix: from fluorescence materials to light emitting devices.

Optically active bio-composite blends of conjugated polymers or oligomers are fabricated by complexing them with bovine submaxilliary mucin (BSM) protein. The BSM matrix is exploited to host hydrophobic extended conjugated π-systems and to prevent undesirable aggregation and render such materials water soluble. This method allows tuning the emission color of solutions and films from the basic colors to the technologically challenging white emission.

Controlled electroluminescence from films composed of mixed bio-composites and nanotubes.

Good things come in threes: A new type of light emitting bio-composites allowing for the nanometric separation of the active components is demonstrated. A protein with large host-guest capacities is used for the encapsulation of a water-soluble composite dye in a nano-sized shell, which efficiently reduces Förster resonance energy transfer and related mechanisms. Blending of this bio-composite with multi-walled nanotubes increases the charge injection efficiency, in the electro-luminescent device.

Bio-inspired synthesis of chiral silver nanoparticles in mucin glycoprotein--the natural choice.

A method of synthesizing stable chiral Ag nanoparticles inside a natural mucin glycoprotein is demonstrated. The reaction is carried out without the help of an external reducing agent, by utilizing the reducing properties of the host mucin. A chiral spectrum is detected in the visible range, indicating the formation of a new type of chiral Ag nanoparticles-containing biomaterial.

High-yield fabrication of molecular vertical junctions.

High-yield fabrication and characterization of a ferrocene-based molecular device is reported. This device, fabricated with the use of modified nanocavity architecture shows very high yield, thus providing a template for exploring the transport properties of molecular junctions. The ferrocene-based devices show multiple negative differential peaks with high reproducibility and temperature stability.

Mucin complexes of nanomaterials: first biochemical encounter.

In recent years, the exposure of biological systems to various nanomaterials has become an issue of great public concern. Although living organisms have arrays of biological defense mechanisms against exposure to exogenous compounds, the biochemical mechanisms allowing various nanomaterials to enter the body are not well understood. A unique example of a typical mucosal glycoprotein capable of binding and solubilizing nanomaterials in physiological solution is provided, suggesting a possible route for entry into biological systems.

Painless electrodiagnostic current perception threshold and pain tolerance threshold values in CRPS subjects and healthy controls: a multicenter study.

The purpose of this study is to evaluate both painless and painful sensory transmission in patients with Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS) using the automated electrodiagnostic sensory Nerve Conduction Threshold (sNCT) test. This test generates reliable, painless Current Perception Threshold (CPT) and atraumatic Pain Tolerance Threshold (PTT) measures. Standardized CPT and PTT measures using constant alternating current sinusoid waveform stimulus at 3 different frequencies 5 Hz, 250 Hz, and 2 kHz (Neurometer CPT/C Neurotron, Inc.

Overlooked diagnoses in chronic pain: analysis of survivors of electric shock and lightning strike.

Objective: Patients who survive lightning strikes are rarely seen in clinical practice and patients with electrical injury are seen infrequently. This article reports the most commonly overlooked diagnoses so that physicians can improve their evaluations.

Methods: A total of 19 patients who survived a lightning strike and 53 patients who survived electrical shock had a partial or complete multidisciplinary evaluation at Mensana Clinic.

COL11A2 mutation associated with autosomal recessive Weissenbacher-Zweymuller syndrome: molecular and clinical overlap with otospondylomegaepiphyseal dysplasia (OSMED).

Autosomal recessive Weissenbacher-Zweymuller syndrome (WZS) is a skeletal dysplasia characterized by rhizomelic dwarfism and severe hearing loss. Mutations in the COL11A2 gene have been implicated in causing the autosomal dominant form of this syndrome as well as non-ocular Stickler syndrome and the autosomal recessive syndrome otospondylomegaepiphyseal dysplasia (OSMED). In a consanguineous Bedouin tribe living in Southern Israel, five individuals affected by autosomal recessive WZS were available for genetic analysis.

CHX10 mutations cause non-syndromic microphthalmia/ anophthalmia in Arab and Jewish kindreds.

Microphthalmia/anophthalmia is a clinically heterogeneous disorder of eye formation, ranging from small size of a single eye to complete bilateral absence of ocular tissues. The genetic defect underlying isolated autosomal recessive microphthalmia/anophthalmia is yet unclear. We studied four families (two of Arab origin, one of Bedouin origin, and one of Persian-Jewish origin) with autosomal recessive microphthalmia/anophthalmia and no associated eye anomalies, and one Syrian-Jewish family with associated colobomas.

Complex Regional Pain Syndromes: guidelines for therapy.

This report aims to present an orderly approach to the treatment of Chronic Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS) types I and II through an algorithm. The central theme is functional restoration: a coordinated but progressive approach that introduces each of the treatment modalities needed to achieve both remission and rehabilitation. Reaching objective and measurable rehabilitation goals is an essential element.

Overlooked physical diagnoses in chronic pain patients involved in litigation, Part 2. The addition of MRI, nerve blocks, 3-D CT, and qualitative flow meter.

This study followed 120 chronic pain patients referred to a multidisciplinary pain center. The referral diagnosis for many patients, such as "chronic pain," "psychogenic pain," or "lumbar strain," was frequently found to be incomplete or inaccurate (40%) following a multidisciplinary evaluation that used appropriate diagnostic studies, including magnetic resonance imaging, computed tomography, nerve blocks, and qualitative flowmeter. Significant abnormalities were discovered in 76% of the diagnostic tests.

Divalproex sodium and other medications for headache following craniotomy for acoustic neuroma.

Multiple pharmacologic agents were used in attempt to relieve a constant and severe headache in a 47-year-old patient following craniotomy for removal of an acoustic neuroma. Possible etiologies for the unremitting headache are presented. Response to various pharmacologic agents are listed and discussed.

Perceptions of asthma severity: the role of negative affectivity.

The role of negative affectivity on patients' perceptions of and behavior during asthma attacks was explored among 47 asthmatic subjects. Patients completed 17 to 30 daily questionnaires assessing negative affect, asthma perception, additional drug intake, search for medical assistance, and peak-flow measures of respiratory distress. Asthma perceptions were correlated with negative affect and educational level; the perception of the asthma severity, but not negative affect, did predict behavior during an attack.

Overlooked physical diagnoses in chronic pain patients involved in litigation.

This study followed the course of 60 chronic pain patients, from referral to a pain diagnostic center through the formulation of complete discharge diagnoses. The most common referral "diagnoses" were really descriptions or vague explanations, such as "chronic pain," "psychogenic pain," "cervical strain," or "lumbar strain." The most commonly missed diagnoses were 1) myofascial disease, 2) facet disease, 3) peripheral nerve entrapment, 4) radiculopathy, and 5) thoracic outlet syndrome.

Shift from left to right axis deviation during ischemia.

A case report of a patient with persistent left anterior hemiblock admitted with acute ischemic heart disease is described. At effort during follow-up evaluation, the patient complained of retrosternal pain when the heart rate was 124 beats/min. No pathological ST-T changes were demonstrated at this time.