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Fractal dimension (D) can be used to characterise temporal changes of crown architecture of individual trees. Our goal in this study was to analyse seasonal changes in tree crown fractal dimension of two species of deciduous oaks (Quercus castanea and Q. obtusata) coexisting in a natural forest in central Mexico using low cost sampling, and relate these changes to morphological attributes and environmental variables. Every two months, from May 2017 to September 2018, for each oak species, we photographed fixed portions of the crowns of individual trees, measured their trunk diameters, and obtained average temperature and accumulated precipitation data recorded for the sampling date. From the obtained images, we calculated D values by the semivariogram method using three different variability estimators (square increment, isotropic, and transect variation). We identified a positive correlation between D and temperature, and a negative correlation between temperature and crown cover. The fractal dimension (D) of crowns of two deciduous oak species changes according to the tree's phenological stage. D values varied through time in relation to tree crown phenological variation, but not with crown cover dimension. We propose a model of annual D value fluctuation in deciduous trees, characterised by two high complexity peaks and two low complexity valleys, corresponding to the effects on crown cover of annual periods of leaf abscission and development. Keywords Fractal Dimension * Tree Phenology * Canopy * Oak, Introduction The form of the crown determines how trees make use of essential resources like light and carbon dioxide (Ishii & Asano 2010), which makes its study relevant because form [...]

* Context.--Ankylosing spondylitis (AS) is an autoimmune disorder with a strong genetic risk, especially with HLAB27. Clinical testing for HLA-B27 has been used to help diagnose patients with signs and symptoms of AS. Testing methods used by clinical laboratories for HLA-B27 fall into the broad categories of serologic/antibody- or molecular-based methods and have evolved over time. The College of American Pathologists (CAP) offers a proficiency testing survey for HLA-B27. Objective.--To analyze HLA-B27 testing trends and their performance in the past decade, using the proficiency testing survey data submitted to CAP. Design.--We analyzed the HLA-B27 CAP proficiency testing data from 2010 to 2020 for the method used, participant concordance, and error rates. Results from case scenarios to understand evolving scientific data around HLA-B27 risk alleles were also analyzed. Results.--Antibody-based flow cytometry is the most common method, though it has decreased from 60% in 2010 to 52% in 2020, with a corresponding increase in molecular methods. Among the molecular methods, real-time polymerase chain reaction has increased from 2% to 15%. Flow cytometry had the highest error rate (5.33%), and sequence-specific oligonucleotide (0%) is the most accurate (0%). Results of case scenarios demonstrated that most participants understood that allele-level HLA-B27 typing results inform clinical interpretation, for example HLA-B*27:06 is not associated with AS. Conclusions.--These data demonstrated the changing trends for HLA-B27 testing during the past decade. HLAB27 allelic typing provides a better understanding of AS association. This is possible by testing for the second field with methods like next-generation sequencing. (Arch Pathol Lab Med. 2024;148:149-154; doi: 10.5858/arpa.2022-0322-CP), Ankylosing spondylitis (AS) belongs to a group of autoimmune disorders termed spondylarthritis (SpA), which are chronic inflammatory disorders characterized by spinal and peripheral joint as well as extra-articular inflammation. There [...]

El acceso minipterional, ha mostrado ventajas frente al pterional clasico, asi como frente a otros accesos minimamente invasivos. Se describio la variante del acceso minipterional con colgajo interfascial, y su combinacion con tecnicas de la base del craneo, para la resolucion de la patologia aneurismatica no solo de circulacion anterior sino tambien algunos de circulacion posterior, y otras patologias propias de la base del craneo. La terapia microquirurgica en los aneurismas cerebrales es pilar fundamental, demostrando seguridad y eficacia en distintas publicaciones internacionales, asi como algunas ventajas respecto al tratamiento endovascular. Se realizo una tabulacion y analisis de una base de datos prospectiva de los aneurismas cerebrales operados por el autor principal del trabajo en dos centros, entre 2017 y 2022, obteniendo un total de 200 casos; se registro el resultado clinico como favorable o desfavorable en base a la escala de Rankin modificada. En los resultados hubo predominio femenino con 57,5% (115 casos), con edad promedio de 63 anos. 70% (140 pacientes) fueron aneurismas rotos, y 97% de circulacion anterior. El resultado clinico funcional, fue analizado en los dos grupos por separado, aneurismas rotos y no rotos; se aplicaron pruebas estadisticas a los resultados. El crecimiento exponencial del tratamiento endovascular en el tratamiento de los aneurismas cerebrales ha demandado mayores esfuerzos por parte de los neurocirujanos microquirurgicos en busqueda de la minima invasion y la obtencion de buenos resultados. En cuanto al acceso minipterional en patologia aneurismatica, ha demostrado ser versatil y eficaz. La serie muestra el resultado clinico e imagenologico, de acuerdo a la tecnica estandar descrita, para el manejo de aneurismas de circulacion anterior, y algunos pocos de circulacion posterior; evidenciando un adecuado desenlace clinico e imagenologico en gran porcentaje de pacientes, de acuerdo a la escala de Rankin modificada y la neuroimagen, en un seguimiento a mediano plazo, mostrando seguridad y la eficacia del tratamiento llevado a cabo en un centro regional de Chile. Palabras clave: Minipterional, aneurisma cerebral, escala de ranking modificada, cirugia minimamente, aneurismas intracraneales, microcirugia, tratamiento quirurgico. The minipterional access has shown advantages over the classic pterional, as well as other minimally invasive accesses. The variant of the minipterional access with interfascial flap was described, and its combination with skull base techniques, for the resolution of aneurysmal pathologies not only of the anterior circulation but also of the posterior circulation, and other pathologies of the skull base. Microsurgical therapy in cerebral aneurysms is a fundamental pillar, demonstrating safety and efficacy in various international publications, as well as some advantages over endovascular treatment. A tabulation and analysis of a prospective database of cerebral aneurysms operated on by the main author of the work in two centers between 2017 and 2022 was carried out, obtaining a total of 200 cases; the clinical result was obtained as favorable or unfavorable based on the modified Rankin scale. In the results there was a female predominance with 57.5% (115 cases), with an average age of 63 years. 70% (140 patients) were ruptured aneurysms, and 97% anterior circulation. The functional clinical result was analyzed in the two groups separately, ruptured and non-ruptured aneurysms; statistical tests were applied to the results. The exponential growth of endovascular treatment in the treatment of cerebral aneurysms has demanded greater efforts from microsurgical neurosurgeons in search of minimal invasion and obtaining good results. Regarding the minipterional access in aneurysmal pathology, it has proven to be versatile and effective. The series shows the clinical and imaging results, according to the standard technique described, for the management of anterior circulation aneurysms, and a few of posterior circulation; evidencing an adequate clinical and imaging outcome in a large percentage of patients, according to the modified Rankin scale and neuroimaging, in a medium-term follow-up, showing the safety and efficacy of the treatment carried out in a regional center in Chile. Keywords: Cerebral aneurysm, minipterional access, skull base, microsurgical therapy, modified rankin scale., Introduccion El acceso minipterional, descrito en 2005 por Edgard Nathal (1), como variante del acceso pterional clasico, ha demostrado tener varias ventajas frente al mismo pterional asi como a otros [...]

* Context.--Discrete submucosal necrotic nodules may rarely manifest as colon polyps. Objective.--To characterize the clinical and pathologic features of this lesion, which has been under-studied in the literature. Design.--We conducted an international search to compile a series. For each potential case, photomicrographs were centrally reviewed to confirm the diagnosis. We gathered clinical and pathologic information on each confirmed case. Results.--The final cohort included 25 patients, with 23 having 1 lesion and 2 having several (31 lesions total). Mean patient age was 62 years; 13 patients (52%) were male. Symptoms were nonspecific, although 4 patients (16%) had blood in stool; 14 patients were asymptomatic. Patient history and medications appeared noncontributory. Most cases were located in the right colon (n = 18; 58%). Mean lesion size was 0.4 cm (range, 0.1-1.7 cm). Histology typically showed a centrally necrotic nodule with peripheral fibrosis, chronic inflammation, and sometimes palisading granulomatous inflammation. Percent necrosis ranged from 5% to 95% (average, 70%), and percent fibrosis ranged from 3% to 70% (average, 25%). In 3 cases, degenerated parasitic structures consistent with Anisakis could be seen on hematoxylin-eosin and trichrome special stain. No patient experienced disease recurrence. Conclusions.--Submucosal necrotic nodules can present as colon polyps. Most cases are unifocal, and patients do well on follow-up. At least some examples appear to be caused by Anisakis, implicating patient diet. Patients are often asymptomatic, and many cases show no histologic evidence of the causative agent. doi: 10.5858/arpa.2022-0267-OA, Colon polyps are a relatively common finding on colonoscopy and are usually biopsied or excised for pathologic evaluation. (1) Most of these polyps represent epithelial proliferations involving the mucosal surface [...]

Pancreatic [beta] cell dysfunction is a key feature of type 2 diabetes, and novel regulators of insulin secretion are desirable. Here, we report that succinate receptor 1 (SUCNR1) is expressed in [beta] cells and is upregulated in hyperglycemic states in mice and humans. We found that succinate acted as a hormone-like metabolite and stimulated insulin secretion via a SUCNR1-Gq-PKC-dependent mechanism in human [beta] cells. Mice with [beta] cell-specific Sucnrl deficiency exhibited impaired glucose tolerance and insulin secretion on a high-fat diet, indicating that SUCNR1 is essential for preserving insulin secretion in diet-induced insulin resistance. Patients with impaired glucose tolerance showed an enhanced nutrition-related succinate response, which correlates with the potentiation of insulin secretion during intravenous glucose administration. These data demonstrate that the succinate/SUCNR1 axis is activated by high glucose and identify a GPCR- mediated amplifying pathway for insulin secretion relevant to the hyperinsulinemia of prediabetic states., Introduction Insulin secretion by pancreatic [beta] cells is crucial for blood glucose homeostasis and is tightly controlled by a complex network of hormones, nutrients, and neurotransmitters. Impaired [beta] cell function [...]

Background Preclinical studies have demonstrated that tumour cell death can be enhanced 10- to 40-fold when radiotherapy is combined with focussed ultrasound-stimulated microbubble (FUS-MB) treatment. The acoustic exposure of microbubbles (intravascular gas microspheres) within the target volume causes bubble cavitation, which induces perturbation of tumour vasculature and activates endothelial cell apoptotic pathways responsible for the ablative effect of stereotactic body radiotherapy. Subsequent irradiation of a microbubble-sensitised tumour causes rapid increased tumour death. The study here presents the mature safety and efficacy outcomes of magnetic resonance (MR)-guided FUS-MB (MRgFUS-MB) treatment, a radioenhancement therapy for breast cancer. Methods and findings This prospective, single-center, single-arm Phase 1 clinical trial included patients with stages I-IV breast cancer with in situ tumours for whom breast or chest wall radiotherapy was deemed adequate by a multidisciplinary team (clinicaltrials.gov identifier: NCT04431674). Patients were excluded if they had contraindications for contrast-enhanced MR or microbubble administration. Patients underwent 2 to 3 MRgFUS-MB treatments throughout radiotherapy. An MR-coupled focussed ultrasound device operating at 800 kHz and 570 kPa peak negative pressure was used to sonicate intravenously administrated microbubbles within the MR-guided target volume. The primary outcome was acute toxicity per Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events (CTCAE) v5.0. Secondary outcomes were tumour response at 3 months and local control (LC). A total of 21 female patients presenting with 23 primary breast tumours were enrolled and allocated to intervention between August/2020 and November/2022. Three patients subsequently withdrew consent and, therefore, 18 patients with 20 tumours were included in the safety and LC analyses. Two patients died due to progressive metastatic disease before 3 months following treatment completion and were excluded from the tumour response analysis. The prescribed radiation doses were 20 Gy/5 fractions (40%, n = 8/20), 30 to 35 Gy/5 fractions (35%, n = 7/20), 30 to 40 Gy/10 fractions (15%, n = 3/20), and 66 Gy/33 fractions (10%, n = 2/20). The median follow-up was 9 months (range, 0.3 to 29). Radiation dermatitis was the most common acute toxicity (Grade 1 in 16/20, Grade 2 in 1/20, and Grade 3 in 2/20). One patient developed grade 1 allergic reaction possibly related to microbubbles administration. At 3 months, 18 tumours were evaluated for response: 9 exhibited complete response (50%, n = 9/18), 6 partial response (33%, n = 6/18), 2 stable disease (11%, n = 2/18), and 1 progressive disease (6%, n = 1/18). Further follow-up of responses indicated that the 6-, 12-, and 24-month LC rates were 94% (95% confidence interval [CI] [84%, 100%]), 88% (95% CI [75%, 100%]), and 76% (95% CI [54%, 100%]), respectively. The study's limitations include variable tumour sizes and dose fractionation regimens and the anticipated small sample size typical for a Phase 1 clinical trial. Conclusions MRgFUS-MB is an innovative radioenhancement therapy associated with a safe profile, potentially promising responses, and durable LC. These results warrant validation in Phase 2 clinical trials. Trial registration clinicaltrials.gov, identifier NCT04431674., Author(s): Daniel Moore-Palhares 1,2,3, Archya Dasgupta 1,2,3, Murtuza Saifuddin 3, Maria Lourdes Anzola Pena 3, Shopnil Prasla 3, Ling Ho 1, Lin Lu 1, Joseph Kung 1, Evan McNabb 3, [...]

Polymeric films are used in numerous applications in the biomedical area. The incorporation of antimicrobial agents into these materials can prevent their surface from acting as a source of contamination of viruses and bacteria. In the present work, cinnamon and eucalyptus essential oils were incorporated into low-density polyethylene (LDPE) by melt extrusion, as confirmed by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. For the success of incorporation, talc was used as an oil carrier and fixer. Despite high processing temperatures used (up to 175[degrees]C), the oleophilic character of talc was able to minimize oil losses, as proven by thermogravimetry. Good thermal and mechanical properties evaluated by differential scanning calorimetry and tensile tests were confirmed. In addition, antimicrobial tests confirmed film activity against virus SARS-CoV-2 and bacteria Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli. LDPE films incorporated with both oils showed significant antiviral properties against SARS-CoV-2, with viral titers reduction between 95.89% and 100%. Cinnamon oil showed more efficient antibacterial properties than eucalyptus oil, with relative bacterial growths of films next to zero (0.37% for E. coli and 2.07% for S. aureus). To the best of our knowledge, no previous work has developed plastic films incorporated with essential oils with confirmed antiviral properties against SARS-CoV-2. KEYWORDS antimicrobial, antiviral, essential oil, extrusion, plastic film, polyethylene, SARS-CoV-2, 1 | INTRODUCTION Polymer based films can be applied in biomedicine in several areas as bulk materials or coatings, in applications outside the body or intracorporeal. (1-3) Among these applications [...]

Antequera in southern Spain is widely recognised as an outstanding example of the European megalithic phenomenon. One of its remarkable features is the evident relationship between conspicuous natural formations and human-built monuments. Here, the authors report the results of their investigation of a tomb newly discovered at the site of Piedras Blancas at the foot of La Pena de los Enamorados, a limestone massif that dominates the Antequera plain. Excavation and multidisciplinary study, including geological, architectural and archaeoastronomical investigations, have revealed a complex funerary monument that is part natural, part built, part hypogeum, part megalith, The results emphasise that centrality of La Pena in the Neolithic worldview and encourage wider investigation of prehistoric place-making. Keywords: Iberia, Neolithic, Copper Age, Bronze Age, megalithic architecture, geological formations, burial practices, Introduction 'All art is an imitation of nature.' (Seneca) Antequera in Andalusia is one of five European megalithic sites to have been awarded UNESCO World Heritage status, and the only [...]

Clostridioides difficile infection (CDI) is a major cause of illness and death worldwide (1,2). The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) classifies CDI as an urgent public health threat [...]

Given widespread unreported SARS-CoV-2 infections, variable immunologic response based on host immunogenicity, vaccine type, viral strain, timing and sequence of vaccine or viral exposure, and humoral waning, the global SARS-CoV-2 [...]

ASXL1 mutation frequently occurs in all forms of myeloid malignancies and is associated with aggressive disease and poor prognosis. ASXL1 recruits Polycomb repressive complex 2 (PRC2) to specific gene loci to repress transcription through trimethylation of histone H3 on lysine 27 (H3K27me3). ASXL1 alterations reduce H3K27me3 levels, which results in leukemogenic gene expression and the development of myeloid malignancies. Standard therapies for myeloid malignancies have limited efficacy when mutated ASXL1 is present. We discovered upregulation of lysine demethylase 6B (KDM6B), a demethylase for H3K27me3, in ASXLI-mutant leukemic cells, which further reduces H3K27me3 levels and facilitates myeloid transformation. Here, we demonstrated that heterozygous deletion of Kdm6b restored H3K27me3 levels and normalized dysregulated gene expression in [Asxl1.sup.Y588X]Tg hematopoietic stem/progenitor cells (HSPCs). Furthermore, heterozygous deletion of Kdm6b decreased the HSPC pool, restored their self-renewal capacity, prevented biased myeloid differentiation, and abrogated progression to myeloid malignancies in [Asxl1.sup.Y588X]Tg mice. Importantly, administration of GSK- J4, a KDM6B inhibitor, not only restored H3K27me3 levels but also reduced the disease burden in NSG mice xenografted with human ASXL1-mutant leukemic cells in vivo. This preclinical finding provides compelling evidence that targeting KDM6B may be a therapeutic strategy for myeloid malignancies with ASXL1 mutations., Introduction Additional sex combs-like 1 (ASXL1) is one of the most frequently mutated genes across the spectrum of myeloid malignancies, including chronic myelomonocytic leukemia (1, 2), myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) (3, [...]

Emerging adult military members face occupational stressors that can lead to mental health issues including anxiety, depression, substance use, and PTSD. Serious mental health issues, including depression, and suicidality are increasing among young veterans. More than half of those experiencing a mental health problem do not seek help and could benefit from therapy. This qualitative study (1) revealed barriers to accessing mental health treatment and (2) provided ways to decrease stigma and encourage help seeking. We conducted semi-structured interviews with 26 emerging adult military members and asked about (1) barriers to mental health treatment and (2) ways to decrease these obstacles. Following a thematic analysis approach, two coders employed rigorous coding procedures using reflexive meetings and debriefings to find patterns using Excel and NVivo. Barriers to accessing mental health treatment exist at the systems, peers and leadership, and self-stigma (i.e., internalized) levels due to hegemonic masculinity tenants in the military. Suggestions to improve and encourage mental health treatment include implementing changes at the structural level in the military, increasing knowledge among the public sector, and improving education and training among helping professionals who are serving emerging adult military populations. Destigmatizing mental health treatment is no easy task but working collaboratively with emerging adult military members to understand their perceptions and attitudes can move us in a positive direction., Author(s): Kelly Lynn Clary [sup.1] , Stephany Pena [sup.2] , Douglas C. Smith [sup.3] Author Affiliations: (1) grid.264772.2, 0000 0001 0682 245X, School of Social Work, Texas State University, , [...]

Purpose: This systematic review provides a comprehensive summary of the diagnostic accuracy of English language sample analysis (LSA) measures for the identification of developmental language disorder. Method: An electronic database search was conducted to identify English publications reporting empirical data on the diagnostic accuracy of English LSA measures for children aged 3 years or older. Results: Twenty-eight studies were reviewed. Studies included between 18 and 676 participants ranging in age from 3;0 to 13;6 (years; months). Analyzed measures targeted multiple linguistic domains, and diagnostic accuracy ranged from less than 25% to greater than 90%. Morphosyntax measures achieved the highest accuracy, especially in combination with length measures, and at least one acceptable measure was identified for each 1-year age band up to 10 years old. Conclusion: Several LSA measures or combinations of measures are clinically useful for the identification of developmental language disorder, although more research is needed to replicate findings using rigorous methods and to explore measures that are informative for adolescents and across diverse varieties of English. Supplemental Material: https://doi.org/10.23641/asha.21183247, Within the field of speech-language pathology, language sample analysis (LSA) is often promoted as the gold standard for assessing language (Miller et al., 2016) and the 'cornerstone of any clinical [...]

* Context.--In human leukocyte antigen (HLA)-mediated alloimmune platelet refractoriness, HLA-incompatible platelets may produce adequate posttransfusion corrected count increment ('permissive transfusion') and increase the donor pool. Objective.--To determine if a lower number of or low-level anti-HLA donor-specific antibodies (DSAs) predict permissive transfusion and could be used to prioritize platelet selection. Design.--We categorized platelets administered from 2016 to 2018 as HLA-compatible or HLA-incompatible based on presence of DSAs against the donor unit. We further divided HLA-incompatible units based on the number of DSAs and the level of DSAs (measured by mean fluorescence intensity [MFI]), where cumulative MFI [greater than or equal to] 6000 defines high-level DSA. We compared posttransfusion corrected count increments (CCIs) and transfusion reactions among these transfusions. Results.--Of 279 HLA-selected units transfused into 26 platelet-refractory patients, we resorted to using 39 HLA-incompatible units (14%). Posttransfusion CCI and transfusion reaction frequency were similar among units targeted by 1 or low-level DSAs and HLA-compatible units. Units targeted by [greater than or equal to] 2 distinct or high-level DSAs produced lower CCIs. Regardless of ABO compatibility, similarly HLA-categorized units yielded comparable CCIs and comparable frequency of transfusion reactions. Conclusions.--HLA-incompatible platelets transfused across 1 or low-level DSAs were commonly permissive, whereas those transfused across [greater than or equal to] 2 DSAs or high levels of DSA (MFI [greater than or equal to] 6000) were nonpermissive. The use of such donor units offers transfusion services alternative platelet units for support of platelet-refractory patients. doi: 10.5858/arpa.2021-0051-OA, Platelet refractoriness (inadequate response to platelet transfusion) affects approximately 28% to 44% of patients receiving platelet transfusions. (1-3) Independent of underlying diagnosis, treatment modality, and patient age, platelet refractoriness is [...]

During May-June 2022, after an alert notification initiated by the United Kingdom (1,2), >4,500 monkeypox cases had been confirmed worldwide, mainly in the European region (3-6). Chains of transmission without [...]

Diverse SARS-CoV-2 variants have arisen during the pandemic. As of May 4, 2022, there had been 2 recognized variants of concern (VOC), Delta and Omicron, in addition to earlier emerging [...]

Purpose: The differential diagnosis of developmental language disorder (DLD) in bilingual children represents a unique challenge due to their distributed language exposure and knowledge. The current evidence indicates that dual-language testing yields the most accurate classification of DLD among bilinguals, but there are limited personnel and resources to support this practice. The purpose of this study was therefore to determine the feasibility of dual-language automatic speech recognition (ASR) for identifying DLD in bilingual children. Method: Eighty-four Spanish-English bilingual second graders with (n = 25) and without (n = 59) confirmed diagnoses of DLD completed the Bilingual English-Spanish Assessment-Middle Extension Morphosyntax in both languages. Their responses on a subset of items were scored manually by human examiners and programmatically by a researcher-developed ASR application employing a commercial speech-to-text algorithm. Results: Results demonstrated moderate overall item-by-item scoring agreement (k = .54) and similar classification accuracy values (human = 92%, ASR = 88%) between the two methods using the best-language score. Classification accuracy of the ASR method increased to 94% of cases correctly classified when test items with poorer discrimination in the ASR condition were eliminated. Conclusion: This study provides preliminary support for the technical feasibility of ASR as a bilingual expressive language assessment tool. Supplemental Material: https://doi.org/10.23641/asha.20249994, There is a critical need for valid language measures for the 12 million bilingual children in the United States (U.S. Census Bureau, 2019). Bilingual and other linguistically diverse children are [...]

OLDER SCHOOLCHILDREN typically perform better on academic achievement tests than younger students in the same classes. Time and again, studies looking at an array of countries, grade spans, and subjects [...]

Background/Objectives The purpose of this study was to explore the postpartum experiences of publicly-insured women of color, and identify how postpartum care can be improved to reduce hospital emergency department usage after delivery. Methods We conducted four focus groups with 18 publicly-insured women who primarily self-identified as Black and/or Latina and gave birth between June 1, 2019 and May 1, 2020. We used inductive qualitative analysis to identify prominent themes from focus group discussions. Results We identified four domains: (1) lack of access to and communication with a medical team; (2) lack of preparation; (3) value of social support; and (4) participant-identified opportunities for improvement. Conclusions for Practice This study describes the postpartum experiences of publicly-insured women of color with the objective of identifying areas for intervention to reduce postpartum emergency department usage. Our findings suggest that focused efforts on enhancing continuity of care to increase healthcare access, strengthening patient-provider communication by training providers to recognize unconscious bias, increasing postpartum preparation by adapting teaching materials to an online format, and engaging women's caregivers throughout the pregnancy course to bolster social support, may be beneficial., Author(s): Taylor Harrell [sup.1] , Elizabeth A. Howell [sup.2] , Amy Balbierz [sup.3] [sup.4] [sup.5] , Luz Guel [sup.6] , Juan Pena [sup.7] , Teresa Janevic [sup.3] [sup.4] [sup.7] , [...]

This paper studies the forward premium as a liquidity premium in electricity futures markets as determined by producers and retailers' demand for immediacy. Demand for immediacy by a buyer (seller) means the willingness to buy (sell) at the current market price rather than wait until a better price appears. An imbalance between the supply and demand of futures contracts creates a demand for immediacy. Market makers satisfy this demand by offsetting the imbalance at the current market price and require a liquidity premium until the imbalance disappears. The liquidity premium is negative (positive) when market makers sell (buy) futures contracts. The empirical application to the French, German, Spanish, and Nordic futures electricity markets in 2008-2017, finds several periods with a negative liquidity premium in the first three markets, suggesting that retailers wanted to offload a higher amount of price risk than the producers. The premium decreases when the number of market makers increases. Keywords: Electricity markets; Futures markets; Liquidity premium; Forward premium; Immediacy; Market makers, 1. INTRODUCTION Electricity futures trading offers benefits to electricity producers, retailers, and consumers, such as price discovery (Steinert and Ziel, 2019), a hedge against spot price market risk (Dupuis et [...]

Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever (CCHF) is a tickborne zoonotic disease causing severe illness, considered by the World Health Organization to be 1 of the 7 highest-priority epidemic-prone diseases. CCHF is considered [...]

El comportamiento pseudotumoral del infarto de cerebelo, es debido al edema secundario que produce compresión de tronco e hidrocefalia aguda obstructiva secundaria a la compresión del 4to ventrículo. El principal síntoma es la disminución del nivel de conciencia, y puede aparecer oftalmoparesia además de alteraciones cardiovasculares. El infarto de cerebelo puede ser difícil de diagnosticar especialmente cuando se puede presentar con síntomas tan inespecíficos como náuseas, vómitos y mareos. Especial atención se debe tener sobre los movimientos oculares, el habla, coordinación y ataxia. La TC y la RM cerebral siguen siendo las técnicas imagenológicas más útiles para su diagnóstico, aunque el TC inicial puede ser normal en hasta 25% de los pacientes. El peak del edema y el deterioro clínico se produce entre las 72-120 h. La craniectomía descompresiva suboccipital de fosa posterior (CDS) en la evolución pseudotumoral del infarto cerebeloso es mucho menos frecuente que la hemicraniectomía descompresiva en los infartos malignos de la circulación anterior. La evolución de cada individuo es idiosincrática. Reportamos dos casos en nuestro centro durante los últimos 3 años. Palabras clave: Cerebelo, craniectomía descompresiva, edema cerebral, hidrocefalia. Cerebellum infarction can be difficult to diagnose especially when symptoms are nonspecific such as nausea, vomiting, and dizziness. Special attention should be paid to eye movements, speech, coordination, and ataxia. Cerebellum infarction with pseudotumor evolution is characterized by edema that produces compression of the brain stem and acute hydrocephalus secondary to the compression of the 4 (th) ventricle, and often both. The main symptom is the decreased level of consciousness, ophthalmosparesis and cardiovascular alterations may appear. Brain CT and MRI are still the most useful techniques for diagnosis, although initial CT can be normal in up to 25% of patients. The peak of edema and clinical deterioration occurs between 72-120 h. Decompressive craniectomy in cerebellar infarction with pseudotumor evolution is much less frequent than in malignant infarctions of the anterior circulation. The evolution of each individual is idiosyncratic. We reported two cases in our center during the last three years. Key words: Cerebellum, descompressive craniectomy, brain edema, stroke., Introducción El accidente cerebrovascular (ACV) tipo isquémico se define como la necrosis de la unidad neurovascular (neurona, glia y endotelio) debido a una falta de irrigación de una zona del [...]

Purpose: This study examined the use of African American English (AAE) among a group of young Latinx bilingual children and the accuracy of the English Morphosyntax subtest of the Bilingual English-Spanish Assessment (BESA) in classifying these children with and without developmental language disorder (DLD). Method: Children (N = 81) between the ages of 4;0 and 7;1 (years;months) completed a narrative task and the BESA Morphosyntax subtest. We identified DLD based on four reference measures. We compared specific dialectal features used by children with DLD and their typically developing peers. We also conducted an overall analysis of the BESA subtest and subsequent item-level analyses to determine if particular items were more likely to contribute to the correct classification of the participants. Results: Children with DLD used three AAE forms in their narrative samples (subject-verb agreement, zero copula/ auxiliary, or zero past tense) more frequently than their typically developing peers. Area-under-the-curve estimates for the cloze, sentence repetition, and composite scores of the BESA indicated that the assessment identified children with DLD in the sample with good sensitivity. Item analysis indicated that the majority of items (84%) significantly differentiated typically developing children and children with DLD. Conclusions: The BESA English Morphosyntax subtest appears to be a valid tool for the identification of DLD in children exposed to AAE and Spanish. We provide practical implications and suggestions for future research addressing the identification of DLD among children from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds., The intersections of race, ethnicity, health, education, and language are at a pivotal moment in the history of our country. Stakeholders acknowledge the need to be better prepared to provide [...]

Meatpacking America: How Migration, Work, and Faith Work to Divide the Heartland. By Kristy Nabhan-Warren. (Chapel Hill: University of North Carolina Press, 2021. Pp. xxii, 280. $19.95. ISBN: 978-1-469-66349-4.) In [...]

In Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie's novel Half of a Yellow Sun, Richard is a British expatriate and the only non-Nigerian living through the Biafran War. His experiences throughout the novel force him to abandon modern literary and historical features to adopt the anxieties of postcolonialism, or so i argue in this paper. I start by analyzing how literature vaguely addresses the presence and purpose of modern discourse in postcolonial narratives. Then I examine how Richard relates to the rest of the characters. I conclude that Richard represents the modern status quo that should necessarily transfer its power to the impossibilities and frustrations of postcolonial literature. A modern identity, therefore, proves to be futile in a postcolonial world., Richard Churchill, the only non-Nigerian character in Adichie's Half of a Yellow Sun, cheats on Kainene with her sister, Olanna. This is a catastrophic burden for the rest of the [...]

CONTEXT: The COVID-19 pandemic highlights the importance of strong public health (PH) and primary health care (PHC) systems to respond nimbly and effectively during times of crisis. Both play a crucial role in triage and prevention, management, vaccination, and communication. PH and PHC systems, however, often act in parallel streams, but rarely together. OBJECTIVE: This study aims to describe PH and PHC collaboration during the COVID-19 pandemic in eight high-income countries. METHODS: In-depth case study reports were generated for each country or jurisdiction. Reports searched both peer-review publications and grey literature on five dimensions identified by the World Health Organization regarding COVID-19 management. Reports included country-specific health system descriptions, PH and PHC actions during the pandemic, and an evaluation of strengths and weaknesses. Expert validation was conducted by internal country stakeholders prior to cross-jurisdiction analyses. ANALYSIS: Thematic content analysis was conducted on all reports to develop a coding framework. Codes were identified that were relevant to the research questions. The study team discussed and reconciled discrepancies in themes until consensus was reached. RESULTS: Data was collected from eight high-income countries (Belgium, Canada, Germany, Italy, Japan, the Netherlands, Norway, and Spain) from March 2020 to July 2021. Four key themes were identified along with respective strengths/weaknesses. 1) Health information systems: this played a critical role for disease containment and management when designed for efficient data management and cross-sectoral data-sharing. 2) Communication: In countries where PHC was engaged early on, PH messages were amplified; in other countries, a lack of cohesion in communication resulted in poor or delayed community-level responses. 3) Human resource capacity: Health human resources were overwhelmed, with many staff redeployed and undertrained. 4) Professional training: Health professionals who received dual training in PH and PHC acted as strong community champions and may be a bridge for future pandemics. CONCLUSION: Health system needs shifted dramatically throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. Our findings highlight four key lessons regarding PH and PHC collaboration from eight high-income countries. Future pandemic preparedness should focus on health information systems and data management, PH communication, health human resources, and education and training., Presenters Jane Zhao, MSc, Carnelle Lawes, MPH, BSW, Dorien Vanden Bossche, Sara Willems, PhD, Ayu Pinky Hapsari, MSc, Sara Ares Blanco, Maria Pilar Astier Pena, MD, PhD, Peter Decat, Naoki [...]

Cajander larch (Larix cajanderi Mayr.) forests of the Siberian Arctic are experiencing increased wildfire activity in conjunction with climate warming. These shifts could affect postfire variation in the density and arrangement of trees and understory plant communities. To better understand how understory plant composition, abundance, and diversity vary with tree density, we surveyed understory plant communities and stand characteristics (e.g., canopy cover, active layer depth, and soil organic layer depth) within 25 stands representing a density gradient of similarly-aged larch trees that established following a 1940 fire near Cherskiy, Russia. Understory plant diversity and mean total plant abundance decreased with increased canopy cover. Canopy cover was also the most important variable affecting individual species' abundances. In general, tall shrubs (e.g., Betula nana subsp. exilis) were more abundant in low-density stands with high light availability, and mosses (e.g., Sanionia spp.) were more abundant in high-density stands with low light availability. These results provide evidence that postfire variation in tree recruitment affects understory plant community composition and diversity as stands mature. Therefore, projected increases in wildfire activity in the Siberian Arctic could have cascading impacts on forest structure and composition in both overstory and understory plant communities. Key words: Cajander larch, Larix cajanderi, Betula nana subsp. exilis, wildfire, disturbance. Les forets de meleze cajander (Larix cajanderi Mayr.) de l'Arctique siberien connaissent une augmentation de l'activite des feux de foret conjointement avec le rechauffement climatique. Ces changements pourraient avoir un impact sur la variation apres feu de la densite et de la composition des arbres ainsi que des communautes vegetales du sous-bois. Dans le but de mieux comprendre de quelle facon la composition, l'abondance et la diversite des plantes de sous-bois varient en fonction de la densite des arbres, nous avons inventorie les communautes vegetales du sous-bois et les caracteristiques du peuplement (par example, couvert forestier, profondeur de la strate active et profondeur de l'horizon organique du sol) dans 25 peuplements representant un gradient de densite de melezes d'age similaire qui se sont etablis a la suite de l'incendie de 1940 pres de Cherskiy, en Russie. La diversite des plantes de sous-bois et l'abondance totale moyenne des plantes diminuaient avec l'augmentation du couvert forestier, lequel etait aussi la plus importante variable ayant un impact sur l'abondance des especes prises individuellement. En general, les grands arbustes (p. ex., Betula nana subsp. exilis) etaient plus abondants dans les peuplements avec une faible densite et une grande disponibilite de lumiere, et les mousses (p. ex., Sanionia spp.) etaient plus abondantes dans les peuplements avec une densite elevee et une faible disponibilite de lumiere. Ces resultats fournissent la preuve que la variation apres feu dans le recrutement des arbres a un impact sur la composition et la diversite de la communaute vegetale du sous-bois a mesure que les peuplements deviennent matures. Par consequent, les augmentations prevues de l'activite des feux de foret dans l'Arctique siberien pourraient avoir des repercussions en cascade sur la structure et la composition de la foret parmi les communautes vegetales du sous-bois et de l'etage dominant. [Traduit par la Redaction] Mots-cles : meleze cajander, Larix cajanderi, Betula nana subsp. exilis, feu de foret, perturbation., Introduction Rapid rates of global change make boreal forests particularly susceptible to forest loss and (or) transition to novel forest conditions (Johnstone et al. 2010; Scheffer et al. 2012). Boreal [...]

The Community Readiness Model (CRM) developed and validated by the Tri-Ethnic Center was adapted to identify at-risk communities in six rural Texas counties. Five to six key informants per county were recruited from a variety of community sectors to participate in phone interviews. Paired scorers independently analyzed individual interview responses to the questions assessing the Tri-Ethnic instrument's five community dimensions of readiness. On a scale of 1-9, transcripts were scored across five community dimensions of readiness. Thirty-one interviews were conducted. The overall mean community readiness score for all six counties was 2.5 (SD = 0.5), which is between two stages of denial/resistance and vague awareness. A thematic assessment illustrated the contextual factors impacting community readiness to promote prevention. Keywords: prescription drug misuse, rural communities, adolescents, prevention, community readiness model, INTRODUCTION Prescription drug misuse among adolescents is a major health concern. Fourteen percent of U.S. high school students reported that they had taken a prescription pain medication without a doctor's [...]

The reproductive biology of tropical hummingbirds has been documented and studied in only a small fraction of species relative to the great diversity of this group. Little has been written about breeding biology of hummingbirds at the Northern Andes Eastern Cordillera in Colombia. We present detailed information on the dates, nesting locations, construction materials, measurements of nests and eggs, and gonad development of adult specimens to augment the scant reproductive data available of 2 widely distributed highland hummingbirds, the Tyrian Metaltail (Metallura tyrianthina) and the Glowing Puffleg (Eriocnemis vestita). These data were obtained during multi-taxa collection expeditions in the high-elevation region of the Department of Boyaca, Colombia. We found 2 Tyrian Metaltail nests in February and May, and adults with enlarged gonads in August. The single Glowing Puffleg nest was found in October, adults with enlarged gonads in May and October, and a chick mortality event (possibly due to frost) in November. Nesting sites for both species were in banks where they built 2-layered cup nests. Although nest locations and construction materials were similar to what has been reported before for hummingbirds in these genera, we identified the plants of these nests' microhabitats, as well as the families and genera of liverworts, mosses, and others used as nest construction materials. The evidence of active nests and enlarged gonads of specimens collected in this study, together with observations made by previous authors, suggest that these 2 hummingbird species breed throughout most of the year at the northeastern Andes. Our data contributes to the understanding of the reproductive biology of these hummingbirds in this region. Received 29 November 2019. Accepted 18 May 2021. Key words: Boyaca, breeding biology, gonads, high-Andean forest. Neotropics, paramo, specimens. La biologia reproductiva de los colibrics tropicales ha sido documentada y estudiada solo en una pequena fraccion de especies en relacion con la gran diversidad de este grupo. Poco se ha escrito sobre la biologia reproductiva de los colibries en la Cordillera Oriental de los Andes del norte en Colombia. Presentamos informacion detallada de las fechas, sitios de anidacion, materiales de construccion, medidas de nidos y huevos, y desarrollo de gonadas de especimenes adultos para aumentar los escasos datos reproductivos disponibles de dos colibrics de tierras altas ampliamente distribuidos. el metalura tiria (Metallura tyrianthina) y el calzadito reluciente (Eriocnemis vestita). Obtuvimos estos datos durante expediciones de recolecta multitaxa en regiones de tierras altas del Departamento de Boyaca, Colombia. Encontramos dos nidos de metalura tiria en febrero y mayo, y adultos con gonadas elongadas en agosto. El unico nido del calzadito reluciente fue encontrado en octubre, adultos con gonadas agrandadas en mayo y octubre, y un evento de mortalidad de polluelo (posiblemente debido a congclacion) en noviembre. Los sitios de anidacion para ambas especies fueron barrancos en donde construyeron nidos de copas de dos capas. Aunque la ubicacion de los nidos y los materiales de construccion fueron similares a los que han sido reportados antes para estos colibries en el genero, identificamos especies de plantas en los microhabitats del nido. asi como las familias y generos de hepaticas, musgos y otros, utilizados como material de construccion de nidos. La evidencia de nidos activos y gonadas agrandadas de especimenes recolectados en este estudio, junto con observaciones hechas por autores anteriores, sugieren que estas 2 especies de colibries pueden reproducirse durante todo el ano en el noreste de los Andes. Nuestros datos contribuyen a la comprension de la biologia reproductiva de estos colibries en esta region. Palabras clave: biologia reproductiva, bosque altoandino, Boyaca, especimenes, gonadas. Neotropico, paramo., The reproductive biology of tropical hummingbirds has been documented and studied in a small fraction of the species relative to the great diversity of this group (Fierro-Calderon and Martin 2007). [...]

Senescent cells (SnCs) are implicated in the pathogenesis of age-related diseases including osteoarthritis (OA), in part via expression of a senescence-associated secretory phenotype (SASP) that includes immunologically relevant factors and cytokines. In a model of posttraumatic OA (PTOA), anterior cruciate ligament transection (ACLT) induced a type 17 immune response in the articular compartment and draining inguinal lymph nodes (LNs) that paralleled expression of the senescence marker [p16.sup.INK4a] (Cdkn2a) and p21 (Cdkn1a). Innate lymphoid cells, [gamma][delta].sup.+] T cells, and [CD4.sup.+] T ells contributed to IL-17 expression. Intra-articular injection of IL-17-neutralizing antibody reduced joint degeneration and decreased expression of the senescence marker Cdkn1a. Local and systemic senolysis was required to attenuate tissue damage in aged animals and was associated with decreased IL-17 and increased IL-4 expression in the articular joint and draining LNs. In vitro, we found that Th17 cells induced senescence in fibroblasts and that SnCs skewed naive T cells toward Th17 or Th1, depending on the presence of TGF-[beta]. The SASP profile of the inflammation-induced SnCs included altered Wnt signaling, tissue remodeling, and cell-cycle pathways not previously implicated in senescence. These findings provide molecular targets and mechanisms for senescence induction and therapeutic strategies to support tissue healing in an aged environment., Introduction Regenerative medicine strategies aim to promote new tissue development but are often limited by systemic and environmental inhibitory factors such as aging or infection. Cellular senescence is associated with [...]

Candida auris is an emerging, multidrug-resistant, healthcare-associated fungal pathogen that was first reported in Japan in 2009 and has now been isolated on 6 continents (1-9). C. auris has been [...]

Purpose: Using a blocked cyclic picture-naming task, we compared accuracy and error patterns across languages for Spanish-English bilingual children with and without developmental language disorder (DLD). Method: Pictured stimuli were manipulated for semantic similarity across two (Same and Mixed) category contexts. Children's productions were scored off-line for accuracy, error frequency, and error type. Results: Typically developing children were more accurate and produced fewer errors than their peers with DLD; however, this was moderated by task language and semantic context. Children were generally more accurate when naming pictures in English compared to Spanish and in the Mixed-category context compared to the Same-category context. Analyses of error types further showed that children with less English language exposure specifically produced more nonresponses in English than in Spanish. Children with DLD produced more of each error type than their typically developing peers, particularly in Spanish. Conclusions: Regardless of language ability, bilingual children demonstrated greater difficulty with lexical retrieval for pictured items in the semantically related context than in the unrelated context. However, bilingual children with DLD produced more errors of all types than is typical for children developing more than one language. Their greater error rates are not secondary to limited second language exposure but instead reflect deficits inherent to the nature of language impairment. Results from this study are discussed using a framework of semantic constraint, where we propose that because bilingual children with DLD have impoverished semantic networks, and this knowledge insufficiently constrains activation for lexical selection, thereby increasing error production., When asked to name a picture of a strawberry, why might a child say 'cherry'? Error production during naming tasks provides a glimpse of lexical organization and processing and demonstrates [...]

RIPM Jazz Periodicals. [Baltimore, MD]: RIPM Consortium, [2019-]. https://ripmjazz.org/ (Accessed 20 September 2019). [Requires a Web browser and an Internet connection. Annual institutional subscription, based on FTE: $1260-$3523 for unlimited [...]

ABSTRACT A major winter storm took place over Mexico during 7 to 11 March 2016, impacting 28 states and leaving four million families without power. Extensive agricultural damage and livestock [...]