cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Strategic Planning for Research in Pediatric Critical Care.

Objective: To summarize the scientific priorities and potential future research directions for pediatric critical care research discussed by a panel of experts at the inaugural Strategic Planning Conference of the Pediatric Trauma and Critical Illness Branch of the Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development. Data Sources: Expert opinion expressed during the Strategic Planning Conference. Study Selection: Not applicable. Data Extraction: Chaired by an experienced expert from the field, issues relevant to the conduct of pediatric critical care research were discussed and debated by the invited participants. Data Synthesis: Common themes and suggested priorities were identified and coalesced. Conclusions: Of the many pathophysiologic conditions discussed, the multiple organ dysfunction syndrome emerged as a topic in need of more study that is most relevant to the field. Additionally, the experts offered that the interrelationship and impact of critical illness on child development and family functioning are important research priorities. Consequently, long-term outcomes research was encouraged. The expert group also suggested that multidisciplinary conferences are needed to help identify key knowledge gaps to advance and direct research in the field. The Pediatric Critical Care and Trauma Scientist Development National K12 Program and the Collaborative Pediatric Critical Care Research Network were recognized as successful and important programs supported by the branch. The development of core data resources including biorepositories with robust phenotypic data using common data elements was also suggested to foster data sharing among investigators and to enhance disease diagnosis and discovery. Multicenter clinical trials and innovative study designs to address understudied and poorly understood conditions were considered important for field advancement. Finally, the growth of the pediatric critical care research workforce was offered as a priority that could be spawned in many ways including by expanded transdisciplinary and multiprofessional collaboration and diversity representation.
Implementing Multisector Nutrition Programs in Ethiopia and Nepal: Challenges and Opportunities From a Stakeholder Perspective

Effective governance is essential for effective nutrition program implementation. There are additional challenges in launching multisector plans to enhance nutritional status. The present study compares the challenges and opportunities in Ethiopia and Nepal in designing and implementing a multisector plan for nutrition. A semi-quantitative questionnaire with open-ended questions was used to solicit information from senior national-level policy officials and other key stakeholders. The nature of the major nutrition problems in each country was similar; these include malnutrition (particularly stunting), food insecurity, and micronutrient malnutrition. The main challenges identified included the need for more specificity in the roles of agencies/individuals in program implementation, more effective mechanisms for linking national to subnational officials, methods for creating awareness of the plans, and a dedicated line item in the budgets of each agency. The level of enthusiasm was high in both countries. Respondents in both countries highlighted the need to identify a "champion" at the highest level who would keep the momentum for the respective plans alive.
A randomized point-based value iteration POMDP enhanced with a counting process technique for optimal management of multi-state multi-element systems

Abstract Optimal decision-making for systems in the presence of uncertainty poses a significant challenge in many fields of research and for many applications. While Markov Decision Process (MDP) is a capable probabilistic framework to incorporate uncertainties in system behavior, measurement randomness arising from imperfect inspections is disregarded in those models. Additionally, the decision-making problem for multi-state multi-element systems has exponential time complexity with respect to the number of system elements. This paper introduces a new decision-making framework for such systems that incorporates element-level decision variables and their consequences at the system-level of an asset. The framework employs a Partially Observable MDP (POMDP) with a randomized point-based value iteration solution strategy to capture system forecasting uncertainty as well as randomness in inspection measurements. The capability of the framework to handle large-scale optimization problems for element-level decision-making in multi-element systems is considerably enhanced via a counting process state reduction technique that is introduced and integrated into the POMDP model. The application of the proposed framework is demonstrated for long-run decision-making regarding maintenance, rehabilitation, and repair of a bridge system with realistic settings. Based on numerical results, it is concluded that the proposed framework composed of POMDP and the counting process techniques provides an efficient yet accurate approach for the optimal management of multi-state multi-element systems.
Influence of the Oxygen Electrode Open Ratio and Electrolyte Evaporation on the Performance of Li–O2 Batteries

This study experimentally investigates and numerically simulates the influence of the cathode electrode open ratio (ratio of oxygen-opening area to the total electrode surface area) on the performance of Li–O2 batteries at various discharge current densities. At the current density of 0.1 mA/cm2, the maximum discharge capacity is achieved at 25% open ratio among the tested open ratios (0–100%). As the open ratio increases from 25% to 100%, the specific discharge capacity decreases from 995 to 397 mA h/gcarbon. A similar trend is observed at 0.3 mA/cm2, while the maximum discharge capacity is obtained at 3% open ratio among the tested open ratios. The model that assumes the electrode is always fully saturated by the electrolyte does not obtain similar trends with experimental results, while the model that considers electrolyte loss by evaporation and the volume change of the solid obtains the same trend with experimental observations. The open ratio governs not only availability of oxygen but also the evap...
Business Case Critique

Case writing is extremely strategic, and each case should be developed with the target audience level—graduate, undergraduate, executive education—and learning objectives in mind. This note was written to evaluate a business case study. It was developed for case writing workshops and may be useful for new case writers seeking to appraise their own material. Is the case structured and methodological or less focused and rich on implementation issues? Excerpt UVA-PHA-0068 Apr. 12, 2012 Business Case Critique 1. Read a colleague's case. Case title: Reviewer's name: . . .
Transthoracic echocardiography is adequate for intraprocedural guidance of transcatheter aortic valve implantation

BACKGROUND While transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) has traditionally been supported intraprocedurally by transoesophageal echocardiography (TOE), transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) is increasingly being used. We evaluated echocardiographic imaging characteristics and clinical outcomes in patients who underwent TTE during TAVI (TTE-TAVI). METHODS AND RESULTS A select team of dedicated sonographers and interventional echocardiographers performed TTE-TAVI in 278 patients, all of whom underwent TAVI through transfemoral access. We implanted the Medtronic EVOLUT R valve in 258 patients (92.8%). TTE images were acquired immediately pre-procedure by a dedicated sonographer in the cardiac catheterization laboratory with the patient in the supine position. TTE was then performed post deployment of TAVI. In the procedure, TTE image quality was fair or better in 249 (89.6%) cases. Color-flow Doppler was adequate or better in 275 (98.9%) cases. In 2 cases, paravalvular regurgitation (PVL) could not be assessed confidently by echocardiography due to poor image quality; in those cases, PVL was assessed by fluoroscopy, aortic root injection and invasive hemodynamics. Both TTE and invasive hemodynamics were used in the assessment of need for post-deployment stent ballooning (n = 23, 8.3%). TTE adequately recognized new pericardial effusion in 3 cases. No case required TOE conversion for image quality. There was only 1 case of intraprocedural TTE failing to recognize moderate PVL, without clinical implication. In 99% of patients, TTE-TAVI adequately assessed PVL compared with 24-h and 1-month follow-up TTE. CONCLUSIONS With the current generation of TAVI, TTE-TAVI is adequate intraprocedurally when performed by specialized sonographers and dedicated cardiologists in a highly experienced TAVI center.
Effect of a single dose of i.v. ondansetron on QTc interval in emergency department patients

Purpose Results of a study to determine whether i.v. administration of a single dose of 4 mg of ondansetron was associated with QT interval prolongation in emergency department (ED) patients are reported. Methods In a prospective observational study conducted at an urban academic medical center ED, a convenience sample of adult ED patients treated with ondansetron 4 mg i.v. were enrolled. A 12-lead electrocardiogram (ECG) was obtained immediately before and 5 minutes after ondansetron administration. Measurements of heart rate–corrected QT interval (QTc measurements) provided by ECG machines were evaluated. An electrophysiologist analyzed all ECGs for adverse electrical events and verified the accuracy of QTc values. The primary objective was to measure the QTc change from baseline after ondansetron administration. The secondary objective was to describe adverse electrical cardiac events. Interactions between ondansetron and patients’ home medications or ED-provided medications were analyzed. Results Among patients included in the data analysis ( n = 20), ondansetron administration was associated with a mean QTc increase of 16.2 msec (95% confidence interval, 4.2–28.2 msec; p = 0.01) and a median increase of 12 msec (interquartile range, 5.5–18.0 msec; p Conclusion Significant QTc prolongation occurred in ED patients receiving a single 4-mg i.v. dose of ondansetron. None of the patients had an ondansetron-related cardiac adverse event.
Public perceptions towards oil palm cultivation in Tabasco, Mexico

Abstract National policies and international market demand have spurred a rapid increase in oil palm cultivation for biodiesel feedstock production, which then causes important social impacts. However, little work has investigated local perceptions of oil palm expansion, particularly in areas expected to become key supply regions, like Latin America. This limits our understanding of the social dimension of oil palm-based biodiesel sustainability. To address this oversight, we present findings from a survey of Tabasco, Mexico, that focuses on community perceptions of local oil palm plantations, their impacts, and expansion potential in a major oil palm cultivation region. We found that oil palm expansion-related perceptions were associated with attitudes toward existing oil palm plantations, whether the palm oil was being cultivated for biodiesel export, and oil palm's ecosystem service provision. Our findings highlight the need for policy makers to consider social acceptability when crafting strategies to expand sustainable bioenergy feedstock production.
Effect of Organic Acids on Physical-Mechanical and Antifungicidal Properties of Anchovy Protein Films

The use of active biodegradable films from renewable sources like anchovy, with the incorporation of organic acids, such as sorbic acid (SA) and benzoic acid (BA), is an alternative to decrease env...
Of Promise and Penalties: How Student Racial-Cultural Markers Shape Teacher Perceptions

Scholars document considerable disparities in teacher perceptions of students, yet absent from this literature is an examination of how race, ethnicity, and immigration status intersect to influence teacher ratings. This study extends previous research by examining variation in teachers’ ratings of academic ability across four conventional racial/ethnic groups as well as thirteen racialized subgroups. Using data from the Early Childhood Longitudinal Study—Kindergarten Class of 1998–1999, we find that black first-graders receive lower ratings in language and literacy, a pattern that holds for both black Americans and black immigrants. In contrast, Asian first-graders receive higher ratings in math; however, this is primarily driven by teachers’ much higher ratings of East Asian and Southeast Asian immigrants. These subgroup differences remain even after controlling for a host of background and contextual factors, as well as students’ tested ability and academic growth in math and reading. Teacher perceptions of student academic behavior explain lower language and literacy ratings for black Americans and higher math ratings for Southeast Asian immigrants that are present net background and performance, but higher math ratings for East Asian immigrants remain. We conclude by discussing implications of our approach and findings.
Differential induction of mutant SOD1 misfolding and aggregation by tau and α-synuclein pathology.

Prior studies in C. elegans demonstrated that the expression of aggregation-prone polyglutamine proteins in muscle wall cells compromised the folding of co-expressed temperature-sensitive proteins, prompting interest in whether the accumulation of a misfolded protein in pathologic features of human neurodegenerative disease burdens cellular proteostatic machinery in a manner that impairs the folding of other cellular proteins. Mice expressing high levels of mutant forms of tau and α-synuclein (αSyn), which develop inclusion pathologies of the mutant protein in brain and spinal cord, were crossed to mice expressing low levels of mutant superoxide dismutase 1 fused to yellow fluorescent protein (G85R-SOD1:YFP) for aging and neuropathological evaluation. Mice expressing low levels of G85R-SOD1:YFP, alone, lived normal lifespans and were free of evidence of inclusion pathology, setting the stage to use this protein as a reporter of proteostatic function. We observed robust induction of G85R-SOD1:YFP inclusion pathology in the neuropil of spinal cord and brainstem of bigenic mice that co-express high levels of mutant tau in the spinal axis and develop robust spinal tau pathology (JNPL3 mice). In contrast, in crosses of the G85R-SOD1:YFP mice with mice that model spinal α-synucleinopathy (the M83 model of αSyn pathology), we observed no G85R-SOD1:YFP inclusion formation. Similarly, in crosses of the G85R-SOD1:YFP mice to mice that model cortical tau pathology (rTg4510 mice), we did not observe induction of G85R-SOD1:YFP inclusions. Despite robust burdens of neurodegenerative pathology in M83 and rTg4510 mice, the introduction of the G85R-SOD1:YFP protein was induced to aggregate only in the context of spinal tau pathology present in the JNPL3 model. These findings suggest unexpected specificity, mediated by both the primary protein pathology and cellular context, in the induced “secondary aggregation” of a mutant form of SOD1 that could be viewed as a reporter of proteostatic function.
Optomechanical resonator as a negative dispersion medium for enhancing the sensitivity bandwidth in a gravitational-wave detector

Recently, we proposed an optically pumped five-level gain with electromagnetically induced transparency system, which has a transparency dip superimposed on a gain profile and exhibits a negative dispersion suitable for the white light cavity enhanced interferometric gravitational-wave detector [Phys. Rev. D 92, 082002 (2015)PRVDAQ1550-799810.1103/PhysRevD.92.082002]. Using this system as the negative dispersion medium in the white light cavity signal-recycling scheme, we get an enhancement in the quantum noise limited sensitivity–bandwidth product by a factor of ∼18. We have also shown how to realize such a system in practice using Zeeman sublevels in Rb87 at 795 nm [Opt. Commun. 402, 382 (2017)OPCOB80030-401810.1016/j.optcom.2017.06.036]. However, the Advanced Laser Interferometric Gravitational-Wave Observatory (aLIGO) operates at 1064 nm, and suitable transitions in Rb or other alkali atoms are not available at this wavelength. Therefore, it is necessary to consider a system that is consistent with the operating wavelength of aLIGO. Here, we present the realization of such a negative dispersion medium at 1064 nm with a microresonator, which supports optomechanical interaction. A strong control field is applied at a higher frequency, and, under certain conditions, a probe field at a lower frequency experiences a peak at the center of an absorption profile and a negative dispersion in the transmission. Unlike in the gain with electromagnetically induced transparency case, we use the compound-cavity signal-recycling scheme, in which an auxiliary mirror is inserted in the dark port of the detector, and show that the enhancement factor can be as high as ∼15. However, using the parameters required for the sensitivity enhancement, the optomechanical system enters an instability region where the control field is depleted. We present an observer-based feedback control process used to stabilize the system.
Justice and Charity: The Bulwark of Human Well-Being

Justice and charity have meanings that vary from one person to the next, from a specific time and place to another, and from the secular world to the sacred. Even a cursory review of the literature exposes the reader to a variety of meanings for the same word or term and a variety of words or terms with the same meaning.
Applications: High-Performance Materials and Emerging Areas

The field encompassed by the term “nanomaterials” has changed dramatically over the past 10 years. While it was useful in 2000 to describe nanomaterials on the sole basis of our ability to understand and to control matter at the nanoscale where material properties possess a distinct size-dependence, the field has now grown well beyond that earlier definition. For example, it is evident in 2010 that additional factors beyond constituent nanoparticles (e.g., high surface/interface area, proximity, and novel chemical, physical, and/or biological moieties) are also playing major roles. New work envisioned at the turn of the twenty-first century [1, 2] on organic-inorganic composite materials, multifunctional materials, self-healing materials, and nanoscale sensors has become a reality in the past 10 years, while exploratory ideas about bio-abiotic heterogeneous systems, information-nano-bio integration, ­electronic-neural interfaces, and nano-information-biological-cognitive systems [3] have received increased recognition in the scientific community and funding programs.
Embryoid body test with morphological and molecular endpoints implicates potential developmental toxicity of trans-resveratrol.

Abstract Developmental toxicity of compounds, which women of reproductive age are exposed to, should be assessed to minimize the incidence of miscarriage and birth defects. The present study examined the potential developmental toxicity of resveratrol, a dietary supplement widely marketed with various health claims, using the P19C5 embryoid body (EB) morphogenesis assay, which evaluates adverse effects of chemical exposures on tissue growth and axial elongation. Resveratrol (trans isoform) impaired morphogenesis at 4 μM and higher, creating smaller and rounder EBs, whereas cis isoform, and glucuronated and sulfonated metabolites did not. Trans-resveratrol also altered expression levels of developmental regulator genes involved in embryonic patterning, such as Wnt3a, Tbx6, and Cyp26a1. To investigate the mechanisms of trans-resveratrol action, the roles of estrogen receptor, sirtuin 1 (SIRT1), and DNA replication in EB morphogenesis were examined. Neither activators of estrogen receptors (diethylstilbestrol [18 μM] and raloxifene [8 μM]) nor activator of SIRT1 (SRT1720 [2.4–3.2 μM]) caused morphological and molecular alterations that are comparable to trans-resveratrol (10 μM). By contrast, a reduction in the DNA replication rate with aphidicolin (0.4 μM) or hydroxyurea (40 μM) created smaller and rounder EBs and altered the expression levels of Wnt3a, Tbx6, and Cyp26a1 in a manner similar to trans-resveratrol. Consistently, trans-resveratrol significantly reduced the rate of EdU incorporation in P19C5 cells. These results suggest that a reduction in the DNA replication rate is one of the mechanisms by which trans-resveratrol impacts EB development. This study provides mechanistic insight for further investigations on the developmental toxicity of trans-resveratrol.
The 2015 American Thyroid Association Evidence-Based Guidelines for Management of Patients with Thyroid Nodules and Differentiated Thyroid Cancer: Key Recommendations

The 2015 American Thyroid Association (ATA) Evidence-Based Guidelines for Management of Patients with Thyroid Nodules and Differentiated Thyroid Cancer (DTC) have significant changes from the 2006 and 2009 ATA guidelines [1–3]. The recommendations are rated as Strong or Weak based on an adapted grading system from the American College of Physicians [4], citing high-quality, moderate-quality or low-quality evidence. These guidelines generated eight new questions, 21 new recommendations and 21 significantly changed recommendations. That said, 59 of the recommendations from the 2009 guidelines were not substantively changed based on no new evidence or continued evidence supporting the existing recommendation.
Runout evaluation of Oso landslide with the material point method1

Long runout landslides can cause significant damage and represent one of the most important problems in geotechnical engineering. Understanding the mechanics of the landslide runout process is impo...
Laboratory-Scale Microgrid System for Control of Power Distribution in Local Energy Networks – Part II: Implementation and Case Study

In this chapter, we provide the detailed implementation of the proposed microgrid framework in part I. As a case study, a droop-based load sharing algorithm with the capability of controlling the active and reactive power have been implemented. Several load sharing scenarios have been studied to verify the capability of the suggested prototype in performance evaluation and verification of different control strategies in microgrid systems. The performed experiments confirm the capacity of the proposed structure in microgrid research and development (R&D), as well as education.
Incidental Lung Nodule

Incidental lung nodule algorithm depends on the patient’s risk factors as well as the nodule’s characteristics on imaging and change over time. Small (≤8 mm), unsuspicious nodules can be followed by serial CT scans. When the likelihood for cancer increases (bigger nodules, risk factors etc.), a PET/CT scan followed by tissue biopsy is warranted. If primary lung malignancy is confirmed, cancer staging is paramount and will dictate the treatment approach (resection for stage I or II and chemoradiation for advanced disease or poor surgical candidacy).
CHARACTERISTICS AND OUTCOMES OF PATIENTS DIAGNOSED WITH CARDIAC SARCOIDOSIS AT THE TIME OF LVAD OR TRANSPLANT

Although most commonly diagnosed via endomyocardial biopsy, a diagnosis of definite cardiac sarcoidosis (CS) can be achieved through pathologic evaluation of apical cores at LVAD placement or on explanted hearts at cardiac transplantation. However, patients diagnosed at the time of advanced heart
Lipids that directly regulate innate immune signal transduction.

Pattern Recognition Receptors (PRRs) detect evidence of infection and tissue damage. The activation of these receptors and their downstream signal transduction pathways initiate a protective immune...
Securities Regulations, Market Efficiency, and the Role of the SEC

The principal federal component of corporate law is the regulation of securities transactions through the requirement to disclose information before selling securities or filing registration statements before issuing new securities. This chapter provides a detailed examination of securities regulations enacted in the past six decades, with emphasis on the Securities Act of 1933 and the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. After the initial examination of these acts, we critique existing disclosure rules in light of recent theoretical developments in market efficiency, asset pricing, and information production technology. This chapter does not involve itself with insider trading, which is covered in detail in the next chapter. The objective here is to provide a general examination of the regulatory environment in its totality and to analyze the evolution of the current regulatory framework that includes sanctions against insider trading. It is our contention that a thorough examination of insider trading is not possible without consideration of securities regulations in total.
The Key Intermediate in Radical S-Adenosyl-methionine Catalysis: Caught in the Act.

A rationally designed non-native substrate enables in situ generation of a central intermediate in radical S-adenosyl-methionine enzymes.
Anaplastic Lymphoma Kinase Gene Rearrangement in Children and Young Adults With Mesothelioma.

Abstract Introduction Children and young adults diagnosed with malignant mesothelioma may have unique genetic characteristics. In this study, we evaluated for the presence of the anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK) translocations in these patients. Methods In a prospective study of mesothelioma natural history ( ClinicalTrials.gov number NCT01950572 ), we assessed for the presence of the ALK translocation in patients younger than 40 years, irrespective of the site of disease. The presence of this translocation was assessed by means of fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH). If the patients tested positive for the ALK translocation, both immunohistochemistry and RNA sequencing were performed on the tumor specimen. Results Between September 2013 and December 2018, 373 patients were enrolled in the mesothelioma natural history study, of which 32 patients were 40 years old or younger at the time of their mesothelioma diagnosis. There were 25 patients with peritoneal mesothelioma, five with pleural mesothelioma, one with pericardial mesothelioma, and one with bicompartmental mesothelioma. Presence of an ALK translocation by FISH was seen in two of the 32 patients (6%) with mesothelioma. Both patients, a 14-year-old female and a 27-year-old male, had peritoneal mesothelioma and had no history of asbestos exposure, prior radiation therapy, or predisposing germline mutations. Neither had detectable ALK expression by immunohistochemistry. RNA sequencing revealed the presence of an STRN fusion partner in the female patient but failed to identify any fusion protein in the male patient. Conclusions Young patients with peritoneal mesothelioma should be evaluated for the presence of ALK translocations. Presence of this translocation should be assessed by FISH and these patients could potentially benefit from tyrosine kinase inhibitors targeting ALK.
Improving Clinical Islet Transplantation Outcomes.

Transplantation of islets purified from donor pancreata is one of only a few clinical strategies that can reverse type 1 diabetes (T1D) and restore glycemic control (1–3). Significant progress has been made by improving transplantation strategies in areas including immune suppressive regimes, islet quality, transplanted β-cell mass and purity, and donor selection (4–6). However, while improved metabolic control and reduced glycemic side effects such as hypoglycemia persist long term in the majority of T1D patients, insulin independence beyond 1 year is only achieved in a minority of cases (2). Early loss of islet mass upon portal vein infusion is believed to have a major negative impact (7). Recurrence of insulitis, the hallmark of T1D immunopathogenesis leading to autoimmune mediated β-cell destruction, and islet allograft rejection pose additional therapeutic hurdles (8,9). Recently, neutrophils were suggested as part of the innate immune system contributing to development of T1D (10). Chemokines produced by distressed islet tissue attract leukocytes to the site of implantation (Fig. 1). The chemokine CXCL8, produced by recruited and resident macrophages, attracts neutrophils carrying its receptors CXCR1/2 to the lesion. In this issue of Diabetes Care , Piemonti and colleagues (11) now report the results of a phase 3 clinical trial assessing whether interference in homing of leukocytes to the implanted islet graft using reparixin, a small molecule that interferes with CXCR1/2 signaling, may improve transplantation outcome. The rationale for this strategy is outstanding. Early studies in mice and humans were very encouraging. Treatment with reparixin prevented and reversed autoimmune diabetes in NOD mice and improved graft survival …
In patients with ASCVD and elevated LDL-C with maximal statin therapy, inclisiran reduced LDL-C levels at 18 months.

SOURCE CITATION Ray KK, Wright RS, Kallend D, et al. Two phase 3 trials of inclisiran in patients with elevated LDL cholesterol. N Engl J Med. 2020;382:1507-19. 32187462.
Direct shoot regeneration from cotyledon, leaf and root of Citrus jambhiri Lush.

ABSTRACT Citrus jambhiri (Rough lemon) is popularly preferred for rootstock for cultivated species of Citrus. Tissue culture is an appreciable technique for mass-multiplication of plant propagules. In this communication direct regeneration of plantlets of Citrus jambhiri Lush. were obtained from cotyledons, roots and leaves. Most of the cotyledon (96%) enlarged on medium supplemented with 50 mg/L of casein hydrolysate. Few of those enlarged cotyledons responded to direct regeneration of shoots. Maximum shoot per responded cotyledon was 32. Conversely, the health of the plantlets were poor with semi-cylindrical leaves. Most of them dried on maintenance medium or on rooting medium ad died. Plantlets regenerated on medium supplemented with IAA in combination with IBA were healthy and they established on maintenance medium and rooted on rooting medium. Direct regeneration was also obtained from leaf on MS medium supplemented with 0.50 mg/L of dicamba. Our finding concluded that tissue culture tools may be used for direct regeneration of plantlets from different explants of C. jambhiri to obtained true-to-type plant propagules.
Musculoskeletal injury symptoms among hired Latinx child farmworkers in North Carolina.

BACKGROUND Although children 10-17 years can be hired to work in agriculture, little research has addressed possible musculoskeletal injuries. Children may be at particular risk for these injuries because of the repetitive and load bearing nature of work tasks. Existing research relies on child workers to self-report musculoskeletal injuries. METHODS In 2017, 202 Latinx child farmworkers ages 10-17 employed across North Carolina completed survey interviews. In 2018, 145 of these children (94 [64.8%] current farmworkers) completed a physical examination and second interview. The examination obtained findings for upper and lower extremity as well as back injuries. RESULTS Positive indicators for musculoskeletal symptoms were few in either current or former child farmworkers. The knee was most common site for positive indicators with 15.4% of children having at least one. Combining all anatomical sites, 29.0% of children had at least one positive indicator, with no significant difference between current and former farmworkers. Overall, boys had significantly more indicators of knee injuries than girls (21.3% vs. 4.1%), indicators of ankle injuries were found only in the youngest workers (9.5% of children 11-13 years), and significantly fewer current farmworkers had indicators of lower back injuries than former farmworkers (6.4% vs. 17.7%). CONCLUSIONS Expectations of injuries come from previous studies using child farmworker self-reports, adult farmworker injury rates, and sports medicine pediatric findings. Hired child farmworkers may not perform activities as repetitious and load-bearing as children in sports training or adult farmworkers. Additional research using physical examination is needed to confirm these findings.
Inter-Patient Atrial Flutter Classification Using FFT-Based Features and a Low-Variance Stacking Classifier.

Objective Atrial Flutter (AFL) is a supraventricular tachyarrhythmia typically arising from a macroreentry circuit that can have variable atrial anatomy. It is often treated by catheter ablation, the success of which depends upon the correct determination of the electroanatomic circuit, generally through invasive electrophysiological (EP) study. We hypothesized that machine learning (ML) methods applied to the diagnostic 12-lead surface electrocardiogram (ECG) could determine the specific circuit prior to any invasive EP study. Methods The 12-lead ECGs were reduced to eight independent leads: I, II, V1 V6. Through an algorithm using ventricular complex cancellation methods, windows of atrial activity in the ECG were uncovered and spectra were generated. Three ML classifier approaches were applied: Support Vector Machine (SVM), Random Forest (RF) and k-Nearest Neighbors (KNN), and their outputs combined using soft voting. Results Ten-second surface ECGs taken from 419 AFL patients prior to invasive EP study and ablation were analyzed retrospectively. Of the 419 patients, 285 had typical cavotricuspid isthmus (CTI)-dependent AFL, 41 had atypical right-atrial AFL and 93 had left-atrial AFL, as determined during the subsequent EP study. Lead V5 was found to be most useful giving a test accuracy of 98\% and f1 score of 0.97. Conclusion We conclude that ML methods have the potential to automatically determine the AFL macroreentry circuit from the surface ECG. Significance The AFL classification method presented in this investigation achieves 95+\% accuracy on an unbalanced inter-patient dataset which has important clinical applications.
Time to get real with qPCR controls: The frequency of sample contamination and the informative power of negative controls in environmental (e)DNA studies

Environmental (e)DNA methods have enabled rapid, sensitive and specific inferences of taxa presence throughout diverse fields of ecological study. However, use of eDNA results for decision-making has been impeded by uncertainties associated with false positive tests putatively caused by sporadic or systemic contamination. Sporadic contamination is a process that is inconsistent across samples and systemic contamination occurs consistently over a group of samples. Here, we used empirical data and laboratory experiments to (i) estimate the sporadic contamination rate for each stage of a common, targeted eDNA workflow employing best practice quality control measures under simulated conditions of rare and common target DNA presence, (ii) determine the rate at which negative controls (i.e., "blanks") detect varying concentrations of systemic contamination, and (iii) estimate the effort that would be required to consistently detect sporadic and systemic contamination. Sporadic contamination rates were very low across all eDNA workflow steps, and, therefore, an intractably high number of negative controls (>100) would be required to determine occurrence of sporadic contamination with any certainty. Contrarily, detection of intentionally introduced systemic contamination was more consistent; therefore, very few negative controls (<5) would be needed to consistently alert to systemic contamination. These results have considerable implications to eDNA study design when resources for sample analyses are constrained.
English Language Learners on the Rise: A Look at Programs Available To Adults in Sonoma County That Support Parent Involvement

How can parents of English Language Learners (ELL) support their children to be successful in school? The importance of involved parents at home is even more imperative today, as schools continue to try to balance the need of English speaking students with the need of ELL’s. This project was designed to gain a better understanding of how parental involvement impacts the academic achievement level of English Language Learners. Research began by looking at the parent involvement programs currently available in Sonoma County, and how schools work to integrate these programs. By examining parent involvement, stressors that influence parent involvement, and the roles that parents of English Language Learners (ELL) take in their children’s education, the programs and schools can gain a better understanding of the successes and opportunities of these programs.
Fish Oil Lipid Emulsion-Associated Sea-Blue Histiocyte Syndrome in a Pediatric Patient

A syndrome of hepatosplenomegaly, thrombocytopenia, and anemia and the presence of sea-blue histiocytes in bone marrow has been associated with parenteral soybean oil administration in patients receiving long-term total parenteral nutrition (TPN). A case is described here where this syndrome was observed in a pediatric patient who received long-term parenteral fish oil nutrition.
Electromagnetic analysis and measurement of high-speed air isolated connector

In this paper, the finite edge element method (FEEM) is introduced for electromagnetic analysis of a new high-speed air isolated connector in frequency domain. The general procedure of transmission characteristic S parameters obtained from FEEM is presented from vector wave equations. We employ the boundary conditions of the first kind (Dirichlet), the third kind and the absorbing boundary conditions (ABC) for analysis. A new electromagnetic model coplanar wave-guide (CPW) without substrate is configured and calculated. The S parameters, including the reflection and transmission coefficients, are evaluated and the desired circuit parameters, C, L, are computed from network theory. These parameters are directly applicable in SPICE software packages. The obtained results S parameters are validated well through comparison with finite integral time domain (FITD) method and measurement results.
Apoptosis and the Gastrointestinal System

Publisher Summary Induction of apoptosis has now become a major therapeutic strategy for the treatment of human malignancies, whereas failure of apoptosis has been implicated as a mechanism contributing to oncogenesis. However, the quantitative role of apoptosis in most diseases in gastroenterology remains unclear. This chapter reviews what is known about apoptosis in the biology and pathobiology of the GI epithelium. The chapter focuses primarily on pathologic processes and highlight potential therapeutic strategies wherever feasible. Because the cellular mechanisms of apoptosis in GI epithelium remain largely unknown, it reviews information predominantly on whether apoptosis occurs in a disease process. Potential future areas of fruitful investigation are also highlighted. The potential importance of apoptosis in diseases of the GI tract is reviewed in an organ-specific manner in sections on the liver, pancreas, small and large intestine, and the esophagus, stomach, and duodenum. Because more is known about apoptosis in the liver than in the other tissues of the GI tract, the chapter reviews in greater detail the role of apoptosis in disease processes of the liver, and what is known about apoptosis in liver physiology and in diseases because of alcohol, cholestasis, viruses, immune-mediated processes, and neoplasia.
On the Limits of Standard Quantitative Genetic Modeling of Inter‐Individual Variation

This chapter has two distinct purposes. First, a review is given of work exploring the boundaries of the standard genetic factor model underlying much of applied quantitative genetic modeling. This review includes aspects of longitudinal genetic modeling, testing for interactions between genetic and environmental factors, and genetic decomposition of mean differences. It summarizes innovative work in which I have been involved before my perspective on standard quantitative genetic modeling changed substantially when I discovered the fundamental implications of a general mathematical theorem about stochastic processes – the so-called individual ergodic theorem of Birkhoff (1931). These implications invalidate the quantitative genetic analysis based on inter-individual variation of a large class of phenotypic processes, the so-called non-ergodic processes. Instead it is necessary to base quantitative genetic modeling of non-ergodic phenotypic processes on intra-individual variation (time series analysis). In the second part of this chapter the implications of the individual ergodic theorem will be explained at some length, including an excursion to relevant results of mathematical modeling of nonlinear epigenetic processes and possible solutions to arrive at valid quantitative genetic analyses of non-ergodic processes. The discussion of these solutions will touch upon an entirely innovative approach to carry out quantitative genetic modeling at the level of individual twin pairs.
Past Tense Production in Children With and Without Specific Language Impairment Across Germanic Languages: A Meta-Analysis

Purpose This study examined the extent to which children with specific language impairment (SLI) across Germanic languages differ from their typically developing (TD) peers in the use of past tense morphology. Method A systematic literature search identified empirical studies examining regular and/or irregular past tense production by English and non-English Germanic-speaking children with SLI and their TD peers. Data from qualifying studies were extracted and converted to Hedges's g effect sizes. Results Seventeen English and 8 non-English Germanic studies met inclusionary criteria. Comparing children with SLI and their TD age-matched (TDA) peers resulted in large combined effect sizes for English and non-English Germanic regular and irregular past tense production. Comparisons between children with SLI and their TD younger (TDY) peers also revealed large combined effect sizes for English and non-English Germanic regular past tense production. Effect sizes for studies comparing SLI and TDY irregular past...
Expansion of Activated Peripheral Blood Memory B Cells in Rheumatoid Arthritis, Impact of B Cell Depletion Therapy, and Biomarkers of Response.

Although B cell depletion therapy (BCDT) is effective in a subset of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients, both mechanisms and biomarkers of response are poorly defined. Here we characterized abnormalities in B cell populations in RA and the impact of BCDT in order to elucidate B cell roles in the disease and response biomarkers. In active RA patients both CD27+IgD- switched memory (SM) and CD27-IgD- double negative memory (DN) peripheral blood B cells contained significantly higher fractions of CD95+ and CD21- activated cells compared to healthy controls. After BCD the predominant B cell populations were memory, and residual memory B cells displayed a high fraction of CD21- and CD95+ compared to pre-depletion indicating some resistance of these activated populations to anti-CD20. The residual memory populations also expressed more Ki-67 compared to pre-treatment, suggesting homeostatic proliferation in the B cell depleted state. Biomarkers of clinical response included lower CD95+ activated memory B cells at depletion time points and a higher ratio of transitional B cells to memory at reconstitution. B cell function in terms of cytokine secretion was dependent on B cell subset and changed with BCD. Thus, SM B cells produced pro-inflammatory (TNF) over regulatory (IL10) cytokines as compared to naive/transitional. Notably, B cell TNF production decreased after BCDT and reconstitution compared to untreated RA. Our results support the hypothesis that the clinical and immunological outcome of BCDT depends on the relative balance of protective and pathogenic B cell subsets established after B cell depletion and repopulation.
Lyα Radiative Transfer in Cosmological Simulations and Application to a z ≃ 8 Lyα Emitter

We develop an Lyα radiative transfer (RT) Monte Carlo code for cosmological simulations. High resolution, along with appropriately treated cooling, can result in simulated environments with very high optical depths. Thus, solving the Lyα RT problem in cosmological simulations can take an unrealistically long time. For this reason, we develop methods to speed up the Lyα RT. With these accelerating methods, along with the parallelization of the code, we make the problem of Lyα RT in the complex environments of cosmological simulations tractable. We test the RT code against simple Lyα emitter models, and then we apply it to the brightest Lyα emitter of a gasdynamics+N-body adaptive refinement tree (ART) simulation at z 8. We find that recombination rather than cooling radiation Lyα photons is the dominant contribution to the intrinsic Lyα luminosity of the emitter, which is 4.8 × 1043 ergs s-1. The size of the emitter is pretty small, making it unresolved for currently available instruments. Its spectrum before adding the Lyα Gunn-Peterson absorption (GPA) resembles that of static media, despite some net inward radial peculiar motion. This is because for such high optical depths as those in ART simulations, velocities of order some hundreds of kilometers per second are not important. We add the GPA in two ways: (1) we assume no damping wing, corresponding to the situation where the emitter lies within the H II region of a very bright quasar, and (2) we allow for the damping wing. Including the damping wing leads to a maximum line brightness suppression by roughly a factor of ~62. The line fluxes, even though quite faint for current ground-based telescopes, should be within reach for JWST.
Utilizing Geo-Referenced Mobile Game Technology for Universally Accessible Virtual Geology Field Trips.

Declining interest and low persistence is well documented among undergraduate students in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math in the United States. For geoscience, field trips are important attractors to students, however with high enrollment courses and increasing costs they are becoming rare. We propose in this concept paper that the contextualized learning and engagement of field trips can be simulated by virtual field trips for smart mobile devices. Our focus is on utilizing the geo-referencing capabilities of smart devices within spatially scaled educational games. This technology is increasingly ubiquitous amongst undergraduate students, and consequently is an untapped pedagogical resource. The objective of our games is to give students real-world experience in selected fundamental principles of geology. Set in Grand Canyon, each module features images of exceptional geologic sites illustrating these principles. Students navigate “downstream” using their devices’ GPS and complete at least one interactive activity per location to progress to the next point. Student response to a pilot game suggests that this indeed is a viable method for making geoscience instruction engaging and enjoyable, and hopefully will result in greater motivation to pursue the geosciences.
Numerical simulation of flow over urban-like topographies and evaluation of turbulence temporal attributes

We have used large-eddy simulation with an immersed boundary method to study turbulent flows over distributions of uniform height, staggered cubes. The computational domains were designed such that both the roughness sublayer and a region of the inertial layer are resolved. With this, we record vertical profiles of time series of fluctuating streamwise and vertical velocity at different locations throughout the domain. Contour images of these fluctuating quantities shown relative to elevation and time are studied; contour images of Reynolds shear stresses owing to ‘sweeps’ and ‘ejections’ are also studied. These images show that periods of momentum excess (deficit) in the inertial-layer precede excitation (subdual) of cube-scale coherent vortices in the roughness sublayer. We compute this time lag (termed advective lag) and demonstrate that it scales linearly with wall-normal elevation. The advective lag is attributed to coherent, low- and high-momentum regions in the aloft inertial layer. Vortex identifi...