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The article discusses the concept of critical data literacy and its importance in advancing social justice and democracy in the U.S. Topics include the role of schools in promoting critical data literacy skills among students through curriculum modules that engage them in analyzing data related to social justice issues; develop interdisciplinary content aligned with learning standards; and follow research-based learning approaches.

Background/Objectives: Retinoblastoma is a common childhood intraocular malignancy, the bilateral form of which most commonly results from a de novogermline pathogenic variant in the RB1gene. Both advanced maternal age and decreasing birth order are known to increase the risk of de novogermline pathogenic variants, while the influence of national wealth is understudied. This cohort study aimed to retrospectively observe whether these factors influence the ratio of bilateral retinoblastoma cases compared to unilateral retinoblastoma, thereby inferring an influence on the development of de novogermline pathogenic variants in RB1. Subjects/Methods: Data from 688 patients from 11 centres in 10 countries were analysed using a series of statistical methods. Results: No associations were found between advanced maternal age, birth order or GDP per capita and the ratio of bilateral to unilateral retinoblastoma cases (pvalues = 0.534, 0.201, 0.067, respectively), indicating that these factors do not contribute to the development of a de novopathogenic variant. Conclusions: Despite a lack of a definitive control group and genetic testing, this study demonstrates that advanced maternal age, birth order or GDP per capita do not influence the risk of developing a bilateral retinoblastoma.

Thunderstorms and their associated severe weather, like lightning, hail, heavy precipitation and strong surface gusty winds, cause immense damage and loss of life throughout India. While many studies explore the large-scale character of thunderstorms over the region, the THUNDER-F Thunderstorm Testbed Project is the first multi-agency coordinated initiative to comprehensively study and model the mesoscale details of these thunderstorms and improve their operational forecasts. The THUNDER-F project is proposed to be situated over the East Indian region comprising of east Jharkhand, south Bengal and north Odisha, where the severity as well as the impact of thunderstorms is highest. The present study provides details of the types and locations of instruments to be installed in the region by 2026. It is expected that the high spatial and temporal resolution observations of the 3-D characteristics of the atmosphere from this project and complementary observations from other research projects in the area such as the Atmospheric and Space Research Facility (ASRF) will significantly improve the understanding of the dynamical–thermodynamical–microphysical–electrical processes associated with the cloud formation, growth and decay. This in turn will improve modelling of these weather systems in mesoscale models thereby improving forecast accuracy and dissemination.

In this article, a research case is presented. This study explores the transition of Parle-G from a traditional mode of marketing communication to a digital mode. The case study reviews Parle-G's marketing communication journey over the past four decades, i.e., 1982 to 2021. The purpose of the case study was to demonstrate how Parle-G has adopted innovative marketing communication strategies to promote its FMCG brand (biscuit) in emerging economies like India. It has been found in the study that Parle-G has focused on digital marketing communication during the period 2016-2021 in order to comply with contemporary marketing communication requirements. A paradigm shift has also been observed in Parle-G's marketing communication model for establishing a digital connection between the consumer and the organisation by using digital marketing.

BackgroundRates of care abandonment for retinoblastoma (RB) demonstrate significant geographical variation; however, other variables that place a patient at risk of abandoning care remain unclear. This study aims to identify the risk factors for care abandonment across a multinational set of patients.MethodsA prospective, observational study of 692 patients from 11 RB centres in 10 countries was conducted from 1 January 2019 to 31 December 2019. Multivariate logistic regression was used to identify risk factors associated with higher rates of care abandonment.ResultsLogistic regression showed a higher risk of abandoning care based on country (high-risk countries include Bangladesh (OR=18.1), Pakistan (OR=45.5) and Peru (OR=9.23), p<0.001), female sex (OR=2.39, p=0.013) and advanced clinical stage (OR=4.22, p<0.001). Enucleation as primary treatment was not associated with a higher risk of care abandonment (OR=0.59, p=0.206).ConclusionCountry, advanced disease and female sex were all associated with higher rates of abandonment. In this analysis, enucleation as the primary treatment was not associated with abandonment. Further research investigating cultural barriers can enable the building of targeted retention strategies unique to each country.

DNA can adopt various distinct structural motifs, such as quadruplex, duplex, i-motifs, etc. which have multifarious applications in biomedical therapeutics. Quadruplex-duplex hybrids (QDHs) consist of the juxtaposed quadruplex and duplex motifs and are thermally stable and biologically relevant. Selective binding toward these secondary structures plays an important role in the evaluation of the structure-specific ligands. Herein, several small molecules containing anthraquinone conjugated oligopyrrole, oligoimidazole, and pyrrole-imidazole derivatives have been screened for the binding of the quadruplex-duplex nucleic acid hybrids formed in PIM1sequences through docking and molecular dynamics (MD) simulation studies. The binding interaction of the anthraquinone polypyrrole ligands has also been checked by performing different biophysical experiments. PIM1, being a coactivator of the MYConcogene, can be targeted by these small molecules to control MYCexpression which is overexpressed in the majority of human cancer cells. Accordingly, these cancer cell-specific and blood-compatible anthraquinone conjugated oligopyrrole ligands can be employed for anticancer therapeutic applications. Thus, the structure–activity relationship (SAR) of the screened ligands manifested prudent structural information for designing PIM1QDHs targeting small molecules.

India Meteorological Department (IMD) operationally issues district-level nowcasts for the occurrence of thunderstorms and associated weather for all districts of India round the clock at three-hour intervals since 2018. These impact-based nowcasts are updated in real-time on the IMD website (https://mausam.imd.gov.in/responsive/districtWiseNowcast.php) and are also communicated to various state and national level stakeholders during thunderstorm events. While a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) utilizing climatology, observations from various sources, and direct and derived model products is in place for issuing nowcasts, objective verification of these district-level nowcasts has presented a challenge till date. The current study details a method for automatic verification of these district-level operational nowcasts of thunderstorms w.r.t. observations of lightning as a measure of the occurrence of thunderstorms. The data from the ground-based lightning sensor network of the Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology has been used as the observation dataset. The method is customizable to automatically derive categorical verification scores on a daily, monthly, or seasonal basis or for any arbitrary time period of choice. The verification of the three hourly nowcasts on the monthly scale for the period of April–November of 2022 and 2023 indicates that the all-India Probability of Detection (POD) verification score was in the range of 0.57–0.62, the False Alarm Ratio (FAR) score was about 0.70 to 0.77, the Critical Success Index (CSI) score was in the range of 0.20–0.24 while the Equitable Threat Score (ETS) score was in the range of 0.15–0.20. Verification results for individual districts at a seasonal scale during 2022–2023 indicate that scores were poor during the winter season (<0.2) (except over southeast peninsular India) and improved thereafter during the rest of the year. This may be due to the fact that thunderstorms during the winter season are infrequent, comprise weak cells with short lifetimes over most parts of India (except the southeast peninsula). In non-winter months, the POD score was generally high over the plain regions of the north peninsula, central, and North India, with the best score during the monsoon months (>0.8). However, the FAR score was better (lower values) over peninsular India (0.2 to 0.4). This translated to improved CSI and ETS over peninsular India. FAR score was generally better during the pre-monsoon season compared to other seasons. These district-level nowcast verification results were not confined as per state boundaries but were common across states and parts of multiple states and other years, for each of which a different meteorological centre issues nowcasts. The spatially systematic errors over East India are due to the nature and movement of weather systems over this region. The spatially systematic errors over the western and eastern Himalayan region may be a consequence of the quality of the lightning detection network data used for verification over this region.

Purpose: To describe a minimally invasive technique of harvesting fascia lata, and also to analyze the clinical uses and the outcomeof fascia lata in Ophthalmic Plastic and Reconstructive surgery.Methods: This interventional study was done in three tertiary care eye hospitals in Bangladesh from July 2014 to June 2020. We obtained autologous fascia lata for the correction of congenital ptosis with poor levator function (⩽4 mm), covering the ciliary staphyloma, repair of the extruded implant following anophthalmic socket surgery, and was also used to wrap the orbital implant after enucleation. Preserved FL was used only for children before 6 years of age for the treatment of congenital ptosis.Results: Out of 60 subjects, 38 (63.3%) were male and 22 (36.7%) were female. Autogenous fascia lata was used for frontalis brow suspension (FBS) in 25 (41.67%) patients of congenital ptosis with poor levator function, as patch graft in ciliary staphyloma (11 cases, 18.3%), to wrap orbital implant following enucleation in intraocular malignancies (nine cases, 15%), to repair of implant extrusion following evisceration (five cases, 8.3%), and as fascial sling to correct recurrent paralytic ectropion (one case, 1.67%). Allogeneic or preserved fascia lata was used to correct congenital ptosis in patients less than 6 years of age (nine cases, 15%). Mean follow-up time was 5.32 months.Conclusion: Fascia lata (autogenous and allogeneic preserved) has varied uses in ophthalmic plastic surgery. Harvesting fascia lata (FL) using with minimally invasive method was successful with the least scar on the thigh to correct congenital ptosis, ciliary staphyloma, repair of extruded implant, and in wrapping implant after enucleation to get better cosmesis and motility.

A 60-year-old, South-Asian male patient presented with a dark brown lesion on his left conjunctiva surface near the limbus for 2 years. Examination showed a globular, dark brown-coloured mass near the temporal limbus at 4 to 5 o’clock position, measuring 3 × 3 × 2 mm. There were a few scattered flat pigmented lesions near the mass and also a few prominent vessels. The mass underwent wide local excision, with a clear margin, followed by double freeze cryotherapy of the conjunctival margins along with the application of Mitomycin C. The bare sclera was covered by amniotic membrane. Histology surprisingly revealed a nodular basal cell carcinoma (BCC) containing melanin. The melanin was present in the tumour cell cytoplasm, within melanophages and within dendritic, Melan A-positive melanocytes. The BCC was immunohistochemically positive for BerEP4 and negative for EMA. The clinically observed smaller nodules flanking the main pigmented BCC corresponded histologically to pigmented superficial growth pattern BCC connected to the under surface of the conjunctival epithelium. This is the first report of a pigmented BCC of the conjunctiva, mimicking a conjunctival melanoma. Pigmented BCC should be considered in the differential diagnosis of pigmented tumours of the conjunctiva.

IMPORTANCE: Early diagnosis of retinoblastoma, the most common intraocular cancer, can save both a child’s life and vision. However, anecdotal evidence suggests that many children across the world are diagnosed late. To our knowledge, the clinical presentation of retinoblastoma has never been assessed on a global scale. OBJECTIVES: To report the retinoblastoma stage at diagnosis in patients across the world during a single year, to investigate associations between clinical variables and national income level, and to investigate risk factors for advanced disease at diagnosis. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS: A total of 278 retinoblastoma treatment centers were recruited from June 2017 through December 2018 to participate in a cross-sectional analysis of treatment-naive patients with retinoblastoma who were diagnosed in 2017. MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES: Age at presentation, proportion of familial history of retinoblastoma, and tumor stage and metastasis. RESULTS: The cohort included 4351 new patients from 153 countries; the median age at diagnosis was 30.5 (interquartile range, 18.3-45.9) months, and 1976 patients (45.4%) were female. Most patients (n = 3685 [84.7%]) were from low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). Globally, the most common indication for referral was leukocoria (n = 2638 [62.8%]), followed by strabismus (n = 429 [10.2%]) and proptosis (n = 309 [7.4%]). Patients from high-income countries (HICs) were diagnosed at a median age of 14.1 months, with 656 of 666 (98.5%) patients having intraocular retinoblastoma and 2 (0.3%) having metastasis. Patients from low-income countries were diagnosed at a median age of 30.5 months, with 256 of 521 (49.1%) having extraocular retinoblastoma and 94 of 498 (18.9%) having metastasis. Lower national income level was associated with older presentation age, higher proportion of locally advanced disease and distant metastasis, and smaller proportion of familial history of retinoblastoma. Advanced disease at diagnosis was more common in LMICs even after adjusting for age (odds ratio for low-income countries vs upper-middle–income countries and HICs, 17.92 [95% CI, 12.94-24.80], and for lower-middle–income countries vs upper-middle–income countries and HICs, 5.74 [95% CI, 4.30-7.68]). CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE: This study is estimated to have included more than half of all new retinoblastoma cases worldwide in 2017. Children from LMICs, where the main global retinoblastoma burden lies, presented at an older age with more advanced disease and demonstrated a smaller proportion of familial history of retinoblastoma, likely because many do not reach a childbearing age. Given that retinoblastoma is curable, these data are concerning and mandate intervention at national and international levels. Further studies are needed to investigate factors, other than age at presentation, that may be associated with advanced disease in LMICs.

Purpose:The purpose of our study was to evaluate the role of intralesional bleomycin injection for the treatment of orbital lymphangiomas. Methods:This was a prospective interventional case study. Twelve patients diagnosed with orbital lymphangiomas received intralesional bleomycin injection at a dose of 0.5 mg/kg body weight (maximum 15 mg) along with lignocaine 2%. Those who required retreatment were injected at intervals of 4 weeks. The outcome was reviewed radiologically and using serial photographic comparison. Result:Proptosis and lid swelling were the most frequent presentations. The number of injections ranged from 1 to 3. Fifty percent of our patients showed complete resolution, and the other 50% showed more than 70% resolution as evidenced radiologically and on digital photography. Conclusion:No significant ophthalmic or systemic side effect was noticed in our study group. Therefore, intralesional bleomycin injection can be considered as first-line therapy for treatment of orbital lymphangiomas.

A good understanding of underlying causes of obesity prevalence in the farmworker population is critical in finding effective strategies to fight obesity and related chronic diseases. There is growing evidence that the population of farmworkers fares poorly with regard to health status, but available data on obesity levels and related chronic diseases is scarce or missing. This study examined the prevalence of overweight and obesity among a sample of farmworker population in California. Results of the regression model indicate that along with demographic variables such as age and gender, several lifestyle and behavioral risk factors are associated with obesity of the farmworkers. Results from this study will inform the design of intervention efforts and policies to help improve the health status of the farmworker population at the community level and beyond.

Computer simulators are often used when it is impossible or infeasible to observe actual systems or processes. These simulators can be very complex, requiring many hours or days for a single simulation, and thus, the number of times we may run the code is small. Running such a simulator at a few chosen input settings comprises a computer experiment. Most of the work done in this area focuses on either estimating the unknown complex input-output relationship or optimizing the output. In this article, we consider the problem of percentile estimation in a computer experiments setting and propose the use of sequential-adaptive designs to estimate percentiles, as opposed to fixed designs. For estimating the value and location of the percentile, we present design criteria that can be used to adaptively select the design sites at which to run the simulator. A comparison of results from using sequential-adaptive designs and fixed designs is presented.

The anti-proliferative, cytotoxic and apoptotic activities of Swietenia mahagoni(L.) Jacq. leaf extract (SMLE) was investigated against Ehrlich’s ascites carcinoma (EAC) in mice. SMLE significantly inhibited the growth and the metabolic activity of viable EAC cells in a dose- and time-dependent manner as observed in both in vivo and in vitro studies and also showed characteristic features of apoptosis. Flow cytometric analysis showed appreciable number of cells in early and late apoptotic stages. Cell cycle analysis revealed that treatment with SMLE arrested the EAC cell populations in the G2-M phase of cell cycle. SMLE induced apoptosis is mediated through mitochondrial intrinsic pathway involving the release of cytochrome c into the cytosol and activation of caspase-9 and caspase-3. The two flavonoids, catechin and quercetin-3-O-glucoside isolated from Swietenia mahagoni(L.) Jacq. leaves, which have been found to be the active ingredients responsible for the anti-leukemic activity of SMLE, may be responsible for the activity of SMLE on EAC.

A series of 1,2,3-triazolyl quinolines possessing substituents like –CH2OAr (Ar aryl) moiety on the triazolyl ring were synthesized via a multi-step sequence consisting of copper-catalyzed azide-alkyne cycloaddition (CuAAC) of 3- (azidomethyl)-quinoline derivative with terminal alkynes as a key step. This step was found to be remarkably faster in pure water and completed within 10-45 min. The robustness of this step was demonstrated by synthesizing a large number of compounds some of which showed promising antibacterial activities when tested in vitro. The crystal structure analysis of a representative compound along with hydrogen bonding patterns and molecular arrangement present within the molecule is described.

The INSAT Multispectral Rainfall Algorithm (IMSRA) technique for rainfall estimation, has recently been developed to meet the shortcomings of the Global Precipitation Index (GPI) technique of rainfall estimation from the data of geostationary satellites; especially for accurate short period rainfall estimates. This study evaluates the 3-hourly precipitation estimates by this technique as well as the rainfall estimates by the GPI technique using data of the Kalpana-1 satellite, over the Indian region for the south-west monsoon season of 2010 to understand their relative strengths and weaknesses in estimating short period rainfall. The gridded 3 hourly accumulated TRMM satellite (3B42 V6 product or TMPA product) and surface raingauge data for stations over the Indian region for the same period is used as the standard measure of rainfall estimates. The Method for Object-based Diagnostic Evaluation (MODE) utility of the METv3.0 software, has been used for the evaluation purpose. The results show that the new IMSRA technique is closer to the TMPA rainfall estimate, in terms of areal spread, geometric shape and location of rainfall areas, as compared to the GPI technique. The overlap of matching rainfall areas with respect to TMPA rainfall patches is also higher for the IMSRA estimates as compared to the GPI values. However, both satellite rainfall estimates are observed to be generally higher compared to the TMPA measurements. However, the values for the highest 10% of the rainfall rates in any rainfall patch, is generally higher for rainfall measured by the IMSRA technique, as compared to the estimates by the GPI technique. This may partly be due to the capping maximum limit of 3 mm/hr for rainfall measured by the GPI technique limits the total 3-hour accumulation to 9 mm even during heavy rainfall episodes. This is not so with IMSRA technique, which has no such limiting value. However, this general overestimation of the rainfall amount, measured by both techniques, and the greater error in case of IMSRA estimates, is also validated independently with respect to surface raingauge observations. Hence the observed overestimation by the IMSRA technique for the highest 10th percentile rainfall rates in rainfall episodes, is real. This overestimation by the latter technique may become a significant source of error, if the IMSRA estimate is used for monitoring very heavy rainfall episodes. In all other respects, since the IMSRA method shows significant improvement over the GPI, the rainfall estimates by the IMSRA method may be used for operational short period rainfall estimation.The INSAT Multispectral Rainfall Algorithm (IMSRA) technique for rainfall estimation, has recently been developed to meet the shortcomings of the Global Precipitation Index (GPI) technique of rainfall estimation from the data of geostationary satellites; especially for accurate short period rainfall estimates. This study evaluates the 3-hourly precipitation estimates by this technique as well as the rainfall estimates by the GPI technique using data of the Kalpana-1 satellite, over the Indian region for the south-west monsoon season of 2010 to understand their relative strengths and weaknesses in estimating short period rainfall. The gridded 3 hourly accumulated TRMM satellite (3B42 V6 product or TMPA product) and surface raingauge data for stations over the Indian region for the same period is used as the standard measure of rainfall estimates. The Method for Object-based Diagnostic Evaluation (MODE) utility of the METv3.0 software, has been used for the evaluation purpose. The results show that the new IMSRA technique is closer to the TMPA rainfall estimate, in terms of areal spread, geometric shape and location of rainfall areas, as compared to the GPI technique. The overlap of matching rainfall areas with respect to TMPA rainfall patches is also higher for the IMSRA estimates as compared to the GPI values. However, both satellite rainfall estimates are observed to be generally higher compared to the TMPA measurements. However, the values for the highest 10% of the rainfall rates in any rainfall patch, is generally higher for rainfall measured by the IMSRA technique, as compared to the estimates by the GPI technique. This may partly be due to the capping maximum limit of 3 mm/hr for rainfall measured by the GPI technique limits the total 3-hour accumulation to 9 mm even during heavy rainfall episodes. This is not so with IMSRA technique, which has no such limiting value. However, this general overestimation of the rainfall amount, measured by both techniques, and the greater error in case of IMSRA estimates, is also validated independently with respect to surface raingauge observations. Hence the observed overestimation by the IMSRA technique for the highest 10th percentile rainfall rates in rainfall episodes, is real. This overestimation by the latter technique may become a significant source of error, if the IMSRA estimate is used for monitoring very heavy rainfall episodes. In all other respects, since the IMSRA method shows significant improvement over the GPI, the rainfall estimates by the IMSRA method may be used for operational short period rainfall estimation.

Abstract: In this paper, we describe offline analysis of Indian Doppler Weather Radar (DWR) data from cyclone Ogni using a suite of radar algorithms as implemented on NEXRAD and the advanced algorithms developed jointly by the National Severe Storms Laboratory (NSSL) and the University of Oklahoma. We demonstrate the applicability of the various algorithms to Indian radar data, the improvement in the quality control and evaluate the benefit of nowcasting capabilities in Indian conditions. New information about the tropical cyclone structure, as derived from application of the algorithms is also discussed in this study. Finally, we suggest improvements that could be made to the Indian data collection strategies, networking and real-time analysis. Since this is the first study of its kind to process and utilize DWR data in a tropical climate, the suggestions on real-time analysis and data collection strategies made in this paper, would in many cases, be beneficial to other countries embarking on DWR network modernization programs.

The durability of aneurysm coil embolization is thought to depend on packing density. The expansile property of hydrogel coating on coils increases volumetric packing per coil length. We describe our experience using hydrogel-coated coils (HydroCoils) compared with inert platinum coils in intracranial aneurysm embolization.

Analysis of affinity‐purified preparations of the fetuin‐binding proteins from elderberry bark and fruits revealed besides the previously reported Neu5Ac(α‐2,6)Gal/GalNAc‐specific type 2 ribosome‐inactivating proteins (RIP) the occurrence of single chain proteins of 22 kDa, which according to their N‐terminal amino acid sequence correspond to the second part of the B chain of the respective type 2 RIP. Both proteins are very similar except that the polypeptides of the fruit lectin are 10 amino acid residues longer than these from the bark lectin. Our findings not only demonstrate the occurrence of carbohydrate‐binding fragments of type 2 RIP but also provide further evidence that type 2 RIP genes give rise to complex mixtures of type 2 RIP/lectins in elderberry.

The major protein of elderberry (Sambucus nigraL.) fruits is a lectin, called Sambucus nigraagglutinin IVf or SNAIVf. This lectin is composed of subunits that strongly resemble the B chain of the type 2 ribosome‐inactivating protein (RIP), called SNAVf, present in the same tissue. To corroborate the possible relationship between both proteins their corresponding cDNAs were cloned and compared. Alignment of the deduced amino acid sequences revealed that the cDNA encoding SNAIVf is almost identical to that of SNAVf except that its A chain is truncated. Northern blot analysis confirmed that the mRNA encoding SNAIVf is about 500 nucleotides shorter than the SNAVf mRNA. In addition, the occurrence of a truncated type 2 RIP gene was unambiguously demonstrated by the analysis of PCR amplified genomic sequences. These results not only demonstrate for the first time that a plant lectin is encoded by a truncated type 2 RIP gene but also address important questions with respect to the molecular evolution of RIP and lectins.

The interactions of intermolecular G-quadruplex RNA and small molecules have been investigated by computational studies. Various anthraquinone, bisbenzimidazole, and carbazole–benzimidazole based ligands have shown a distinct preference to G-quadruplex structures as opposed to the corresponding duplex forms of DNA that were docked with telomeric G-quadruplex RNA. The comparative binding study of such ligands with G-quadruplex (G4) RNA showed higher binding affinities toward carbazole–benzimidazole ligands than those of the anthraquinone and bisbenzimidazole based ligands. A molecular dynamics simulation study was used to examine quadruplex–ligand interactions. Analysis of the binding free energy indicated the formation of the thermodynamically favorable RNA–ligand complex. The formation of several H-bonding interactions and the change of the solvent accessible surface area (SASA) also support the effective binding of the carbazole–benzimidazole ligands with G4 RNA structures. Thus, the library screening approach has assisted in getting a structure–activity relationship for the selected small molecules toward the G-quadruplex RNA binding, which can be applied in the targeting of G-quadruplex RNA medicated anticancer therapeutics.