San Diego Miramar College

SynopsisThe taxonomic composition of the suborder Tylopoda is an ongoing debate. Recently, the internal otic region (petrosal and bony labyrinth) has been intensively studied as a source of additional morphological data, but the morphology of this region in extinct tylopods is not well documented. To remedy this, we used µCT scanning to image and describe the petrosal and bony labyrinth of two oromerycids (Protylopus, Eotylopus), four early camelids (Poebrotherium wilsoni, Poebrotherium eximium, Paratylopus primaevus, Stevenscamelus franki), and the living vicuña (Vicugna vicugna). Several early camelid specimens also preserved the ear ossicles (malleus, incus, stapes), enabling us to describe their morphology for the first time. Our sample allows us to not only compare among taxa, but to also examine variation within taxa and during ontogeny. We found that the morphology of the petrosal is far more variable than that of the bony labyrinth, both within and across taxa. There is no notable ontogenetic variation between the juveniles and adults in our sample. Protylopus has an unusual petrosal morphology, and its bony labyrinth is somewhat reminiscent of early dichobunoid artiodactyls. Conversely, Eotylopus has a transitional morphology that seemingly links it to camelids. Poebrotherium wilsoni and Po. eximium do not noticeably differ in their morphology, but there are identifiable differences in Pa. primaevus and S. franki, suggesting that the petrosal of camelids is diagnostic at a genus level. The early camelids were distinct from the vicuña in petrosal, bony labyrinth, and ossicular chain morphology, highlighting the importance of examining basally branching members to resolve evolutionary relationships.

Introducción: existe preocupación mundial sobre la necesidad de mejorar el desempeño en los procedimientos endoscópicos, y una situación similar de inquietud surge en Latinoamérica. Un estudio de calidad comprende una endoscopia bien indicada, diagnóstico y terapia adecuados, con menores riesgos. El consenso PEnQuIN, realizado por expertos de Norteamérica y Europa, estableció indicadores de calidad estándar endoscópica pediátrica en tres momentos: preprocedimiento, intraprocedimiento y posprocedimiento. El objetivo es elaborar un consenso de expertos sobre los indicadores de calidad de endoscopia digestiva pediátrica en Latinoamérica. Metodología: considerando la evidencia científica disponible, unos enunciados se definieron y sometieron a consenso con el método Delphi en tiempo real. Se finalizaron rondas hasta lograr un acuerdo del 80% de los integrantes y más de 0,8 en alfa de Cronbach. Los 24 gastroenterólogos pediatras se eligieron utilizando el cuestionario modificado similar al usado en las cortes de California. Resultados: de 44 enunciados iniciales, se alcanzó un consenso en 36, los cuales se establecieron como indicadores de calidad en endoscopia digestiva pediátrica. Un acuerdo unánime se logró en ocho indicadores. El alfa de Cronbach alcanzado en este cuestionario Delphi fue de 0,85. Se clasificaron en 13 indicaciones preprocedimiento, 20 indicaciones intraprocedimiento y 3 indicaciones posprocedimiento. Conclusiones: los indicadores de calidad redactados como Consenso Delphi pueden ser utilizados en cualquier unidad de endoscopia pediátrica, son de fácil aplicación y adecuados a las definiciones de calidad en salud y de endoscopia. Estos indicadores pueden medirse y, al emplearlos, se minimizan las diferencias de recursos humanos y materiales de los países.

Abstract An efficient fluorescent sensory platform was designed and synthesized for recognition of copper ion (Cu 2+ ) in presence over other competing ions. The probe DTBPA 1 was displayed fluorescence color change upon addition of Cu 2+ ion which was also characterized by spectroscopic techniques especially the fluorescence and colorimetric methods. The probe showed turn‐off fluorescence response to the Cu 2+ ion. The limit of detection for the probe was found to be 0.789 μM while binding stoichiometry for the probe to metal ion was found to be 2 : 1 tested by Jobs analysis. The binding constant for the probe was found to be 1.13×10 6 M −1 . Further the probe was utilized for detection of trace amount of Cu 2+ ion in real water sample with recoveries 98.24 %~104 %. The molecule was further utilized in test strip application. The calculated fluorescence quantum yield was found to be 3.2. The theoretically Density Functional Theory (DFT) calculations were performed for the probe using Gaussian 16 ab initio /DFT quantum chemical simulation and the DFT calculations were supporting the experimental findings.

Case Presentation: 75-year-old female with history of conservatively managed ascending aortic aneurysm with mild Aortic Insufficiency (AI) and a chronic Type B aortic dissection. Due to rapid aneurysmal expansion she underwent surgical ascending aortic aneurysm repair with a 32-mm Gelweave graft, aortic valve commissuroplasty, and 1-vessel aorta-to-right coronary artery bypass graft. She was discharged 15 days post-op in stable condition. However presented 2 weeks later with new onset dyspnea with minimal exertion, orthopnea, peripheral edema, wide arterial pulse pressure (150/50 mmHg), jugular venous distention. Transthoracic and transesophageal echocardiography showed a new and severe AI, with preserved left ventricular ejection fraction. A computed tomography angiogram (CTA) of the chest showed an acute aortic dissection at the proximal and distal segments of the aortic graft (Figure 1). She underwent a transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) with a self-expanding bioprosthesis: 27 mm Portico TM valve (St. Jude Medical, St. Paul, MN, USA) anchored at the annular level (annular area 370 mm 2 , perimeter 69 mm with calculated over sizing of 30%) and at the 32 mm Gelweave graft level (42 mm bioprosthesis aortic outflow dimension) without acute complications (Figure 2). She was discharged and remained clinically well without recent readmission for CHF exacerbation. Conclusions: Patient was deemed a poor surgical candidate due to frailty and recent sternotomy. This case demonstrates TAVI as off-label treatment option for severe AI due to aortic root dissection in poor surgical candidates.

A novel garlic tunic (waste biomaterial) and its composite-based organic green electrical energy generation device are fabricated in this study. This device will eliminate the need of batteries for small electronic/medical devices and the e-waste of used batteries will be reduced, as per the UN’s Sustainable Development Goal 7 (affordable and clean energy). Garlic tunic (GT) is a naturally occurring waste biomaterial that is not edible and thrown away. The electrical energy generation performance of GT is altered by synthesizing its composite with tin oxide(II) (SnO) nanoparticles, and a triboelectric nanogenerator is fabricated from the synthesized composite. GT/SnO-based device performance is also tested with other biomaterials such as egg shell membrane, onion tunic, almond peel, Bombax ceiba fibers, and Calotropis fibers. The formation of SnO nanoparticles in a composite is validated using different characterization techniques. X-ray diffraction analysis confirmed the presence of SnO nanoparticles having a space group of P4/nmm and a crystallite size of 22 nm. Scanning electron microscopy images reflected the growth of spherical-shaped nanoparticles with a particle size of 56 nm. The fabricated device produces power from human motions such as walking, running, and jumping and also from manual tapping to drive 30 green light-emitting diodes and a small digital wrist watch.

More than 700,000 people die due to suicide every year 1 .Over the years, mental health has become a growing concern worldwide, leading to rising demand for therapists in the mental health industry.New treatments for mental health issues, including depression and anxiety, have been developed to meet this growing demand.The present study analyzes Socially Assistive Robots (SARs) supporting young adults with depression and anxiety, specifically the PlantBot and MARCo robots.We conclude that the ideal robot would use both Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Behavioral Activation Therapy (BAT) to support users in performing tasks and reaching goals.With further expansion of the use of socially assistive robots in the mental health field, a weight may lift on the growing demand for therapists.

Abstract This cluster‐randomized pre‐post comparison study examined the effects of using Sesame Workshop's Little Children, Big Challenges: General Resilience (LCBC) digital media toolkit in preschool classrooms over a 12‐week period. Participants included 157 preschool teachers and 766 preschool children from 159 preschool classrooms in 38 Head Start centers, 7 Military Child Development Centers, 2 community‐based preschool agencies, and a public school district. Children's social‐emotional skills, behaviors, and relationship qualities were measured using a combination of direct testing of children and teacher behavioral ratings. Hierarchical linear modeling accounted for classroom‐level nested data and the results indicated that LCBC increased emotion vocabulary, attachment, initiative, self‐control, emotion regulation, and adaptability. The LCBC intervention also significantly reduced teacher conflict, attention problems, and emotion control problems. Additionally, the teacher survey indicated that the intervention was appealing to teachers and students. Reasons for nonsignificant effects on teacher closeness, social problem solving, and social skills are discussed.

Students are struggling with virtual learning while isolated at home. At the same time, they are outspoken about the real and lasting consequences of inherent bias in higher education systems and lack of motivation. Virtual Reality (VR) is a tool that could help reduce structural bias within the online classroom to engage a diverse community of students with meaningful interactions as they explore course learning materials. This interactive workshop will include a group discussion about the bias students face in classroom and attendees will participate in a VR class simulation modeling best practices for anonymous equitable learning using The Commons XR experience. Attendees will leave the session with ideas for how to reduce bias in educational experiences and engage students in the course material. Join us to explore the possibilities of a classroom environment that might help out the next generation of students to transcend the norms of today!

In February 2020, CDC issued guidance advising persons and health care providers in areas affected by the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic to adopt social distancing practices, specifically recommending that health care facilities and providers offer clinical services through virtual means such as telehealth.* Telehealth is the use of two-way telecommunications technologies to provide clinical health care through a variety of remote methods.† To examine changes in the frequency of use of telehealth services during the early pandemic period, CDC analyzed deidentified encounter (i.e., visit) data from four of the largest U.S. telehealth providers that offer services in all states.§ Trends in telehealth encounters during January-March 2020 (surveillance weeks 1-13) were compared with encounters occurring during the same weeks in 2019. During the first quarter of 2020, the number of telehealth visits increased by 50%, compared with the same period in 2019, with a 154% increase in visits noted in surveillance week 13 in 2020, compared with the same period in 2019. During January-March 2020, most encounters were from patients seeking care for conditions other than COVID-19. However, the proportion of COVID-19-related encounters significantly increased (from 5.5% to 16.2%; p<0.05) during the last 3 weeks of March 2020 (surveillance weeks 11-13). This marked shift in practice patterns has implications for immediate response efforts and longer-term population health. Continuing telehealth policy changes and regulatory waivers might provide increased access to acute, chronic, primary, and specialty care during and after the pandemic.

This randomized, multicenter, placebo-controlled, phase IV study assessed the efficacy and tolerability of onabotulinumtoxinA in patients with overactive bladder. Patients were randomized 1:1 to onabotulinumtoxinA 100 U or placebo. Assessments over 12 weeks included: change from baseline in urinary incontinence (UI) episodes/day; proportions of patients who achieved 100% and 50% or greater reductions in UI episodes/day; proportion of patients using no incontinence pads in the previous 24 hours; and changes from baseline in micturition frequency, nocturia, urgency UI, Incontinence-Quality of Life, King's Health Questionnaire, International Consultation on Incontinence Questionnaire-UI Short Form scores and time to request retreatment. Significant reductions in UI episodes/day were seen with onabotulinumtoxinA versus placebo within week 1 posttreatment (-2.9 vs -2.0, P = 0.005) through week 12 (coprimary endpoint: -3.5 vs -1.6, P < 0.001). Significantly more onabotulinumtoxinA-treated patients achieved 100% (coprimary endpoint) and 50% or greater reductions in UI episodes/day. Decreases in other urinary symptoms were also seen within 1 week with onabotulinumtoxinA that continued through at least week 12. More onabotulinumtoxinA-treated versus placebo-treated patients required no incontinence pads at weeks 1 to 12, and greater improvements in quality of life measurements were seen. Time to request retreatment was significantly longer with onabotulinumtoxinA versus placebo (30.0 weeks vs 13.1 weeks; P < 0.001). No unexpected safety signals were observed. Urinary tract infection was the most commonly observed adverse event. Urinary symptom and quality of life improvements were observed with onabotulinumtoxinA within 1 week of treatment and were sustained for at least 12 weeks.