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Plant propagation through cuttings has been practiced for a long time by plant enthusiasts. It is rapid, simple, and cheaper than other asexual or sexual methods (seeds) of plant propagation. One gets greater uniformity (clones) of plants and desired traits are not lost. Also, the plant reaches maturity at an earlier age. Several rooting hormones and media have been tested for effective propagation of plant cuttings. The development of quick roots without infection and necrosis in the plant cuttings is the key to success for propagation. In our experiments, we tested raw, unpasteurized honey and store bought pasteurized honey as growth media to support rooting in different plant specimens. Raw, unpasteurized honey solution proved to be an inexpensive and successful medium to propagate plants from cuttings.

Background Identification of large vessel occlusions (LVO) is important with recent guidelines supporting endovascular therapy in selected acute ischemic stroke patients. Many stroke centers perform CT angiography (CTA) in patients with suspected LVO, however this requires additional time and contrast administration. Non-enhanced CT maximum intensity projection (NECT-MIPs) may offer a rapid alternative to CTA. Methods We retrospectively reviewed acute stroke patients with LVO in the UCSD Stroke Registry, presenting between 6/2014-7/2016. NECT-MIPs were evaluated for presence of LVO. Gold standard comparison was to CTA. Results were stratified by level of training (Faculty, Fellow and Acute Care Practitioners [ACPs]). Inter-rater agreement was assessed using Fleiss' Kappa Coefficient. Results We reviewed 24 patients using NECT-MIPs for the detection of LVO. Faculty had a sensitivity and specificity of 95% & 92% for ICA/M1, 42% & 100% for M2, and 67% & 96% for basilar occlusions. Fellows and ACPs had a sensitivity and specificity of 61% & 94% for ICA/M1, 19% & 83% for M2, and 75% & 95% for basilar occlusions. Inter-rater agreement among Faculty readers was k=0.75 for ICA/M1, k=0.79 for M2 and k=0.14 for basilar occlusions. Among Fellows and ACPs, k=0.57 for ICA/M1, k=0.40 for M2, and k=0.27 for basilar occlusions. Conclusions NECT-MIPs have high sensitivity and specificity for the detection of LVO when compared to CTA. Inter-rater agreement is fair and higher amongst more experienced reviewers. These results suggest that NECT-MIPs may be helpful to streamline the identification of LVO and reduce door to needle and door to intervention times.

Background: Since the introduction of recombinant tissue plasminogen activator (rt-PA) for acute ischemic stroke, rt-PA rate and number of stroke centers have increased. Despite this, studies have shown racial and ethnic disparities in stroke care especially in Black and Hispanic populations. How Hispanic ethnicity affects rt-PA evaluations has to date been unclear. In our patient population, we investigated whether ethnicity is associated with rt-PA use for acute ischemic strokes in the Hispanic population. Methods: We performed a retrospective review of IRB approved, prospectively collected data from the UC San Diego Stroke Registry. Patients were selected based on the presentation and primary diagnosis of Transient Ischemic Attack or Ischemic Stroke. Characteristics including risk factors were compared in Hispanic vs non-Hispanic samples to assess rt-PA treatment rates, process of care intervals for Hispanics vs non-Hispanics and rt-PA vs non-rt-PA patients. Results: We assessed 1489 patients (300 Hispanic vs. 1189 non-Hispanic whites) from July 2004 to July 2016. Comparing Hispanics to non-Hispanics, there was no difference in rt-PA rate (35.3% vs. 33.1%; p=0.49). In a subset evaluation of Hispanics only, comparing rt-PA(-) to rt-PA(+), there was no difference for male sex (56%), Hypertension (71%), Hyperlipidemia (29%), Diabetes (43%), Atrial Fibrillation (23%), and Smoking (20%). There was a noted difference in the Hispanic-only untreated vs treated subset for initial NIHSS (7.24 vs. 13.27; p Conclusions: This study shows the rate of rt-PA treatment and “door to treatment” intervals were not significantly different in Hispanic vs non-Hispanic patients. This data is supportive of current overall treatment decision models. However, the “onset to treatment” interval was significantly longer for Hispanic patients showing that it may take longer for this population to reach the treating hospital. This supports the need to develop culturally relevant education programs to address barriers in this population.

The Anaerobic Digestion Model No. 1 (ADM1) can be used to describe treatment of dairy manure once manure characteristics have been incorporated in the model. In this paper a parameter set is presented that can be used with ADM1 for simulation of dairy manure digester performance. Model results have been verified with bench-scale experiments and reported data from full-scale systems. Model predictions fit experimental data best for biogas composition and digester effluent COD. Simulated biogas productions were inconsistent with measurements from three different digesters. The model overpredicted acetogenesis, resulting in higher simulated than observed acetate concentrations. However, total volatile acid concentrations were simulated reasonably well. The model consistently predicted higher inorganic nitrogen than measured or reported results, indicating a need for further research in that area. The presented model and associated parameter set can be used to simulate and optimize the performance of full-scale dairy manure digesters.

Approximately 350 million tons of manure is produced annually by agriculture in the U.S. Manure disposal at large concentrated animal feeding operations presents a challenge. Anaerobic digestion of livestock manure to reduce odor and produce biogas for energy generation is a profitable waste management option on farms, but out of reach of most farmers because of high capital costs. For operations reusing solids for bedding, reduction of causative agents of mastitis is a concern. Waste management practices that cause reduction of populations of zoonotic pathogens such as Salmonella spp. and Campylobacter spp. may also reduce public health risks following runoff events. Enteric bacterial reduction in agricultural waste is likely dependent upon operational parameters, moisture, temperature, pH, influent substrate composition and type of medium. Thorough analysis to establish correlations between these different parameters has not been conducted. Our hypothesis is that pathogen concentration in samples is dependent upon physical factors (moisture content and volatile solids content), farm processes and sample type. The objective of this research is to determine factors that control pathogen reduction and/or removal during current dairy manure management practices using Real-time q-PCR techniques. Results indicate that processes including anaerobic digestion and composting cause a significant reduction of pathogens. From regression models it was observed that pathogen concentrations are strongly correlated to moisture content, volatile solids content and sample type. These results will help identify processes and operational parameters that yield greater pathogen reduction, allowing better recycling of farm waste solid residuals, increasing economic benefits for dairy farms.