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California is the nation’s primary producer of almonds, pistachios, and walnuts, and an important producer of rice. Because of California’s diverse cropping systems, off-target herbicide drift can be a considerable problem, particularly from aerial applications that are commonly used in flooded rice production systems. Triclopyr is an auxin-mimic type herbicide that has been commonly used in rice for many years for control of broadleaf weeds and the industry is familiar with symptoms of off-target triclopyr drift. Florpyrauxifen-benzyl is a newly registered auxin-mimic herbicide in California rice with activity on key weeds and is being rapidly adopted. Although symptoms typically are similar among auxinic herbicides, it is important to understand subtle differences and risks among these herbicides as stewardship for newly registered products. This research was conducted in 2020 and 2021 to determine the relative sensitivity of almond, pistachio, and walnut trees to simulated drift rates of florpyrauxifen-benzyl and triclopyr as well as characterize and compare symptoms caused by these two herbicides. The fractional herbicide rates tested were 1/200X, 1/100X, 1/33X, and 1/10X of the florpyrauxifen-benzyl use rate of 29.4 g·ha21 a.i. and 1/200X, 1/100X, and 1/33X of the triclopyr use rate of 420.3 g·ha21 a.e. Florpyrauxifen-benzyl and triclopyr herbicides were applied directly to one side of the canopy of 1- to 2-year-old almond, pistachio, and walnut trees. The general symptoms of florpyrauxifen-benzyl and triclopyr were chlorosis, chlorotic spots, leaf curling, leaf narrowing, leaf distortion, leaf malformation, leaf crinkling, shoot curling, stem coloring, stunting, terminal bud death, and twisting. The florpyrauxifen-benzyl and triclopyr injury symptoms were compared at the same fractional rates and found to be similar to each other. The herbicide injury was observed on the entire pistachio canopy, particularly on developing leaves and terminal buds. In contrast, injury symptoms on almond and walnut were more apparent on the side of the canopy to which the herbicides were applied. Symptom severity peaked at 14 days after treatment with the 1/10X florpyrauxifen-benzyl rate, when the visible injury was 16%, 48%, and 78% on almond, walnut, and pistachio, respectively. Although almond and walnut symptoms from the 1/10X florpyrauxifen-benzyl rate remained visible longer than all other treatments, all trees gradually recovered throughout the growing season. In contrast, pistachio trees did not recover fully and had injury symptoms that persisted for the remainder of the treatment year and at leaf-out the following spring. When drift occurs, it is typically at rates below 1/100X up to 1/33X of herbicide use rates. This research suggested that proper herbicide drift management practices and application precautions are likely to minimize the risk of significant injury from florpyrauxifen-benzyl drift to almond and walnut because of low injury symptoms at the typical drift rates. However, extra precautions may be needed if there are nearby pistachio orchards.

With the growing expectations from the field of education, increases the importance of effective school leadership. The school proves its effectiveness depending on various factors; the principal's leadership style is the main one. The purpose of this study was to investigate the influence of the female gender and national culture dimensions on the leadership styles of Emirati female school principals, as educational leaders, and the relationships that exist among the different variables. Explanatory sequential mixed method approach was used in two phases for this study. In the first phase, the quantitative data were collected using the Multifactor Leadership Questionnaire (5X-short) survey and the cultural dimensions survey. In the second phase, the researcher conducted semi-structured interviews and qualitative observations. The findings of the study indicated that Emirati female leaders tend to be more transformational in their leadership styles while they still practice transactional leadership to a certain degree. They were found to be more "androgynous" carrying the qualities of both male and female leaders. In addition, the leadership styles and their elements proved to have a significant relationship to national culture dimensions except for management by exception (active). Future research should include a larger sample size and the perspectives of the followers as well. It is important to conduct the study in different organizational contexts not only in schools to confirm the finding that women use "androgynous" style in the United Arab Emirate and beyond.

Pyraclonil is a new herbicide to control weeds in California water-seeded rice (Oryza sativa L.). The objectives of this research were to evaluate weed control and rice response from pyraclonil applied alone at different timings and when applied in combinations with other herbicides. In one field study, pyaclonil was applied at 0.3 lbs a.i. ac−1 on pre-seed bare ground, 1-inch flood, 4-inch flood and 3 days after flooding in water-seeded rice. In another study, pyraclonil was applied at 0.3 lbs a.i. ac−1 at day of rice seeding and followed by various registered herbicides. Pyraclonil applications resulted in similar weed control across timings. Pyraclonil provided greater than 92% control of smallflower umbrella sedge (Cyperus difformis L.) and broadleaf weeds but less than 60% control of ricefield bulrush [Schoenoplectus mucronatus (L.) Palla] at 42 days after treatment. Watergrass (Echinochloa spp.) control was achieved with pyraclonil if applied before emergence. Early-season rice injury from pyraclonil was observed; however, rice appeared uninjured later in the season. The addition of other herbicides after a pyraclonil application increased weed control levels across weed species and resulted in grain yields from 6,925 to 8,623 and 9,182 to 10,865 lbs ac−1 in 2019 and 2021, respectively. Pyraclonil provides early-season weed control and, when incorporated with other herbicides, will be a useful herbicide in water-seeded rice.

Assessing the feasibility of 2030 as a target date for global elimination of trachoma, and identification of districts that may require enhanced treatment to meet World Health Organization (WHO) elimination criteria by this date are key challenges in operational planning for trachoma programmes. Here we address these challenges by prospectively evaluating forecasting models of trachomatous inflammation-follicular (TF) prevalence, leveraging ensemble-based approaches. Seven candidate probabilistic models were developed to forecast district-wise TF prevalence in 11 760 districts, trained using district-level data on the population prevalence of TF in children aged 1-9 years from 2004 to 2022. Geographical location, history of mass drug administration treatment, and previously measured prevalence data were included in these models as key predictors. The best-performing models were included in an ensemble, using weights derived from their relative likelihood scores. To incorporate the inherent stochasticity of disease transmission and challenges of population-level surveillance, we forecasted probability distributions for the TF prevalence in each geographic district, rather than predicting a single value. Based on our probabilistic forecasts, 1.46% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.43-1.48%) of all districts in trachoma-endemic countries, equivalent to 172 districts, will exceed the 5% TF control threshold in 2030 with the current interventions. Global elimination of trachoma as a public health problem by 2030 may require enhanced intervention and/or surveillance of high-risk districts.

Within the scope of this study, a psychoeducation program based on multicultural competencies and Berry's acculturation model was developed to improve the adjustment process of international students. In this study, an explanatory sequential design was used. The study group consisted of 34 international students who volunteered for the study. The quantitative results of the study indicated that the Culture-Based Adjustment Program significantly affected the personal and social adjustment of international students. However, it did not significantly affect the adjustment to the university environment, emotional adjustment, dating relationships, and academic adjustment. The qualitative analysis yielded five major categories: (a) expectations, (b) contributions, (c) evaluation of the program, (d) leader, and (e) suggestions. The findings of this study highlight the importance of psychoeducation programs in the adjustment process of international students.

Water-seeded rice (Oryza sativa L.) in California is produced near growing urban centers and a variety of neighboring high-value crops, which make water quality a paramount concern because of potential herbicide residue contamination in downstream surface waters. Pendimethalin is a potential herbicide for use in California water-seeded rice. A study was conducted to characterize pendimethalin's dissipation in water of a water-seeded rice field. A capsule suspension (CS), emulsifiable concentrate (EC), and granule (GR) pendimethalin were applied onto flooded rice plots at 1.1, 2.3, and 3.4 kg ai ha−1 rates. Water samples were collected periodically and analyzed with an high pressure liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry system for residues. Pendimethalin dissipation differed across formulations. The initial sampled concentrations recorded values from 3.0 to 125.6 parts per billion (ppb). First-order dissipation resulted in half-lives for the CS from 2.3 to 3.5 days, the EC from 0.6 to 0.7 days, and the GR from 3.5 to 6.9 days. Pendimethalin use in water-seeded rice is at low risk of contaminating downstream surface waters; however, early sampled residue concentrations could be concerning. The results can assist in generating management tactics like water-holding periods to avoid potential downstream off-target effects and ensure herbicidal activity in the applied area after a pendimethalin application in a water-seeded rice field.

Abstract: Rice herbicide drift poses a significant challenge in California, where rice fields are near almond, pistachio, and walnut orchards. This research was conducted as part of a stewardship program for a newly registered rice herbicide and specifically aimed to compare the onset of foliar symptoms resulting from simulated florpyrauxifen-benzyl drift with residues in almond, pistachio, and walnut leaves at several time points after exposure. Treatments were applied to one side of the canopy of 1- and 2-yr-old trees at 1/100X and 1/33X of the florpyrauxifen-benzyl rice field use rate of 29.4 g ai ha–1 in 2020 and 2021. Symptoms were observed 3 d after treatment (DAT) for pistachio and 7 DAT for almond and walnut, with peak severity at approximately 14 DAT. While almond and walnut symptoms gradually dissipated throughout the growing season, pistachio still had symptoms at leaf out in the following spring. Leaf samples were randomly collected from each tree for residue analysis at 7, 14, and 28 DAT. At 7 DAT with the 1/33X rate, almond, pistachio, and walnut leaves had florpyrauxifen-benzyl at 6.06, 5.95, and 13.12 ng g–1 fresh weight (FW) leaf, respectively. By 28 DAT, all samples from all crops treated with the 1/33X drift rate had florpyrauxifen-benzyl at less than 0.25 ng g–1 FW leaf. At the 1/100X rate, pistachio, almond, and walnut residues were 1.78, 2.31, and 3.58 ng g–1 FW leaf at 7 DAT, respectively. At 28 DAT with the 1/100X rate, pistachio and almond samples had florpyrauxifen-benzyl at 0.1 and 0.04 ng g–1 FW leaf, respectively, but walnut leaves did not have detectable residues. Together, these data suggest that residue analysis from leaf samples collected after severe symptoms may substantially underestimate actual exposure due to the relatively rapid dissipation of florpyrauxifen-benzyl in nut tree foliage.

Abstract The rapid growth in consumer-facing mobile and sensor technologies has created tremendous opportunities for patient-driven personalized health management. The diagnosis and management of cardiac arrhythmias are particularly well suited to benefit from these easily accessible consumer health technologies. In particular, smartphone-based and wrist-worn wearable electrocardiogram (ECG) and photoplethysmography (PPG) technology can facilitate relatively inexpensive, long-term rhythm monitoring. Here we review the practical utility of the currently available and emerging mobile health technologies relevant to cardiac arrhythmia care. We discuss the applications of these tools, which vary with respect to diagnostic performance, target populations, and indications. We also highlight that requirements for successful integration into clinical practice require adaptations to regulatory approval, data management, electronic medical record integration, quality oversight, and efforts to minimize the additional burden to health care professionals.

Treacher Collins syndrome is a rare genetic disorder that affects the bone development, resulting in significant craniofacial deformities. The syndrome is characterized by cleft palate, micrognathia, low-set or small ears, and sparse eyelashes. These characteristic symptoms guide for the diagnosis. However, the manifestations may resemble other diseases, which makes the clinical diagnosis difficult. Although the majority of cases are clearly diagnosed at birth, genetic counseling and imaging scans, such as x-ray or computed tomography, may help to confirm the diagnosis. The severity of the disease varies among patients, ranging from mild undiagnosed cases to severe marked deformities. Nevertheless, airway difficulty at birth represents a significant challenge for anesthesiologists since these patients have abnormal development of zygomatic arch, which may result in airway complications. Therefore, proper management requires multidisciplinary departments, including pediatrics, neurosurgery, otolaryngology, audiology, plastic surgery, and genetics. Hence, it can be inherited in an autosomal dominant manner; genetic counseling is also needed.

PURPOSE: Population-based prevalence surveys are essential for decision-making on interventions to achieve trachoma elimination as a public health problem. This paper outlines the methodologies of Tropical Data, which supports work to undertake those surveys. METHODS: Tropical Data is a consortium of partners that supports health ministries worldwide to conduct globally standardised prevalence surveys that conform to World Health Organization recommendations. Founding principles are health ministry ownership, partnership and collaboration, and quality assurance and quality control at every step of the survey process. Support covers survey planning, survey design, training, electronic data collection and fieldwork, and data management, analysis and dissemination. Methods are adapted to meet local context and needs. Customisations, operational research and integration of other diseases into routine trachoma surveys have also been supported. RESULTS: Between 29th February 2016 and 24th April 2023, 3373 trachoma surveys across 50 countries have been supported, resulting in 10,818,502 people being examined for trachoma. CONCLUSION: This health ministry-led, standardised approach, with support from the start to the end of the survey process, has helped all trachoma elimination stakeholders to know where interventions are needed, where interventions can be stopped, and when elimination as a public health problem has been achieved. Flexibility to meet specific country contexts, adaptation to changes in global guidance and adjustments in response to user feedback have facilitated innovation in evidence-based methodologies, and supported health ministries to strive for global disease control targets.

The increasing development of herbicide resistance in weeds found in rice cropping systems has encouraged researchers to evaluate alternate herbicides to prevent and manage herbicide-resistant weed biotypes. Metribuzin is a photosynthetic-inhibiting herbicide that controls various important grass and broadleaf weeds. Several crops, including soybean, wheat, peas, and potato, have shown differential varietal responses to metribuzin. To determine whether rice has differential varietal responses to metribuzin for potential utilization in a rice breeding program, greenhouse experiments were conducted to evaluate the responses of 142 long-, medium-, and short-grain rice genotypes to the herbicide. Metribuzin was applied at 0, 22, 44, 88, 176, and 352 g ai ha-1 when rice plants were in the 3- to 4-leaf stage. Crop response regarding phytotoxicity, height reduction, and biomass reduction was evaluated. Metribuzin caused significant injury to all rice genotypes tested, but short-grain rice genotypes were, on average, more susceptible than medium- and long-grain rice genotypes. Short-grain rice genotypes generally had greater height reduction and produced less biomass than long-grain or medium-grain rice genotypes. Crop visual injury ratings were correlated with plant height reductions and biomass reductions. The results indicate that the level of metribuzin tolerance in rice is inadequate for commercial use; however, further research is needed to develop higher levels of herbicide resistance by mutagenized rice cultivars.

Objective Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is associated with a high economic burden, which is exacerbated by the high susceptibility to drug-related problems (DRPs) in this patient population. This study aimed to evaluate the cost-benefit ratio of medication reconciliation supplemented with medication review for inpatients with CKD, compared with the absence of this intervention.Design This was a cost-benefit analysis conducted along with a prospective interventional study.Setting The study was conducted at two hospitals in Jordan between February and May 2023.Participants The prospective interventional study included 142 admitted patients with CKD.Interventions Patients received medication reconciliation at admission and discharge as well as medication review throughout admission.Primary and secondary outcome measures The primary outcome measures were the net benefit and the benefit-to-cost ratio of the intervention. A cost-benefit analysis was conducted from the healthcare system perspective by assessing the cost of the service (the pharmacist time required to complete the service per patient) and the economic benefit, including total and per-patient cost savings and cost avoidance.Results The total estimated cost of all DRPs in the absence of interventions (cost avoidance) was $83 052 (average of $585±308 per patient); among which $20 623 was attributed to medication discrepancies. The cost savings were estimated at –$467. The supplemented medication reconciliation service was estimated to cost $714. As a result, the estimated net benefit totalled $81 871, averaging $577 per patient, with a benefit-to-cost ratio of 115.7:1 over the 4-month study period.Conclusions Delivering a supplemented medication reconciliation service by a clinical pharmacist for patients with CKD is cost beneficial from the healthcare perspective in Jordan, an example of a low- and middle-income country. This finding further confirms the pivotal role of clinical pharmacists in multidisciplinary healthcare teams.

Cardiac physiologic pacing (CPP), encompassing cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) and conduction system pacing (CSP), has emerged as a pacing therapy strategy that may mitigate or prevent the development of heart failure (HF) in patients with ventricular dyssynchrony or pacing-induced cardiomyopathy. This clinical practice guideline is intended to provide guidance on indications for CRT for HF therapy and CPP in patients with pacemaker indications or HF, patient selection, pre-procedure evaluation and preparation, implant procedure management, follow-up evaluation and optimization of CPP response, and use in pediatric populations. Gaps in knowledge, pointing to new directions for future research, are also identified.

The global energy demand is rising, driven by population growth, economic development, and industrialization. Shifting towards renewable energy, like solar energy, is gaining momentum worldwide because of ecological concerns and resource depletion. This paper aims to utilize Artificial Neural Networks (ANNs) and multiple linear regression (MLR) modeling techniques to evaluate the productivity of 11 MW photovoltaic (PV) solar power plant currently operational in Jordan. The case study reveals that both models can be used to predict the daily, monthly, and yearly average power produced and system efficiency with reasonable accuracy. The ANN model exhibited promising results, where the best value for the coefficient of determination (R2) and mean absolute percentage error (MAPE) for training were 95.85% and 0.59%, respectively. However, R2 was 93.7%, and MAPE was 1.27% for validation tests. All these results were achieved using a 7-6-1 model, with a sample ratio of 1:1 for the data allocated in training and validation. When using multiple linear regression, the R2 and standard error values were 93.42% and 0.17%. On the other hand, the results showed that the yearly output power for actual and predicted by both models over the year was 24,399 MWh, 24,538 MWh, and 24,401 MWh, respectively. This research showed valuable results in the monthly output power for solar cells at the Anwaralardh PV power system project, contributing to a better understanding of solar energy generation in arid desert climates and emphasizing the potential of solar power plants to play a crucial role in achieving SDG 7 objectives.

Background: Patients with haematological disorders, such as sickle cell anaemia, are at an elevated risk of transient aplastic crisis due to parvovirus B19 infection. The virus targets specific integration sites in the human genome, disrupting cellular division. However, the molecular mechanisms of infection remain poorly understood. Aim: This study aimed to determine the prevalence of human parvovirus B19 among patients with sickle cell anaemia in Khartoum State, Sudan. Methods: Ninety patients (aged 15 years) with sickle cell disease attending Gaafer Ibnouaf Children’s Hospital between November 2016 and February 2017 were recruited. Sera and plasma samples were analyzed. IgG and IgM antibodies were measured using ELISA, and viral DNA was detected in plasma using nested-PCR. Phylogenetic analysis of sequenced B19 strains focused on the overlapping region of the minor (VP1) and major (VP2) capsid protein genes. Results: Anti-parvovirus B19 IgG antibodies were detected in 57 of 90 patients (63.3 %), while IgM antibodies were present in 7 (7.8 %). Viral DNA was identified in 23 (25.5 %) patients. Among the 23 DNA-positive patients, 7 (30 %) were seronegative for both IgG and IgM antibodies, highlighting the importance of molecular diagnostics in identifying active infections, especially in early stages. Children under 5 years of age exhibited a higher nucleic acid detection rate compared to older age groups, suggesting the importance of molecular testing in younger patients particularly in the early detection of Parvovirus B19 during the acute phase of infection, before the body has developed detectable antibodies and also in immunocompromised children, who may not mount an antibody response detectable by serological methods. Phylogenetic analysis revealed two distinct Sudanese clusters: one (50 % of sequences) formed a unique clade with low similarity to existing genotypes, while the other (50 %) closely resembled genotype 1 A sequences from Iraq, Iran, and Tanzania. Conclusion: Parvovirus B19 antibodies and DNA were detected at high prevalence among Sudanese children with sickle cell anaemia. Screening for parvovirus B19 is critical for patients requiring blood transfusions, particularly those with haematological disorders. This study provides the first report of parvovirus B19 detection, sequencing, and characterization among Sudanese patients with sickle cell anaemia.

Background The WHO recommendation against the use of macrolides reflects the little low-quality evidence about the effect of azithromycin (AZ) on influenza A infection. Considering recent reports about AZ use despite the WHO’s unfavorable recommendations, we aimed to test the evidence for the usage of AZ in the treatment of influenza A infection. Methods Various online databases were searched till August 2023 and thorough text and evidence evaluation resulted in selecting 7 studies. Results The selected reports included randomized control trials (two), cohort (three), case/control (one) studies, and one case report. Pooling of the results was unattainable due to the variability among studies in patient criteria, study outcomes, and study designs. Based on the limited reports with insufficient evidence, a recommendation for the use of AZ in the treatment regimen was not possible despite the associated reduction in inflammatory cytokines by AZ administration and the absence of significant adverse effects or mortality in hospital-admitted or ICU patients. While these findings support the current guidelines for the treatment of influenza A infection, the evidence behind these guidelines and treatment characteristics were illustrated. Conclusion AZ shows a potential symptom improvement and pro-inflammatory laboratory indices in influenza A patients. Another positive aspect is the absence of complications associated with AZ administration to critically ill patients and acceptable prognosis. However, it is crucial to have more quality research on this matter that focuses on the indication of the use of AZ, and the timing of initiation, dosage, and duration of treatment while monitoring adverse events.