Global Trends in Urban Agriculture Research: A Pathway toward Urban Resilience and Sustainability

Urban agriculture has been proposed as an important urban element to deal with the challenges of food insecurity and environmental deterioration. In order to track current popular topics and global research trends in urban agriculture, we used bibliometric analysis and visualization mapping to evaluate and analyze the developments in the knowledge of urban agriculture based on 605 papers from the core collection database Web of Science from 2001–2021. The results were as follows. (1) The number of urban agriculture publications increased substantially year by year, indicating that the field is attracting increasing attention. The University of Kassel, Chinese Academy of Sciences, and University of Freiburg are the most productive research institutions in the field of urban agriculture. The top-five most influential countries are the Unites States, Germany, the United Kingdom, Italy, and China, of which the Unites States plays a central role in the cooperative linkage between countries. (2) Research on urban agriculture focuses not only on food production and different styles but also on how to realize the various functions of urban agriculture. In addition, UA-related sustainability and the water-energy-food nexus have become two emerging research topics. (3) Urban agriculture does not necessarily mean a resource-conserving and environmentally friendly food system. To achieve sustainable development, a transition based on technological innovation is needed. How to improve the sustainable development level of the food system while fully considering the resilience, sustainability, and versatility of urban agriculture is the main direction of future research.

Management of GERD in Patients With Obesity

Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) affects an estimated 20% of the population in the Unites States. Lifestyle modifications and proton pump inhibitor therapy are effective for majority of patients, however, some patients cannot tolerate this treatment or find it ineffective requiring endoscopic or surgical management. Obese patients with GERD who pursue surgical management are at increased risk of developing recurrence of symptoms after laparoscopic anti-reflux surgery. Roux en Y gastric bypass remains the surgical procedure of choice for obese patients with GERD. Endoluminal weight loss interventions seek to offer minimally invasive options for obesity management, however, their efficacy for GERD management in patients with obesity remains to be determined.

Culturally Competent Practices and Implications for Special Education Leaders

The over-identification of minorities in special education in the Unites States continues to exist. Such over-representation separates these students from their general education peers to the degree that they may not have access to challenging academic standards and effective instruction. Factors impacting these students include a systemic lack of understanding of cultural frames of reference and curriculum and leadership issues that influence the referral and placement processes in special education. This chapter will address the five culturally competent practices with regard to inclusion and special education. Implications for educational leaders will be discussed.

Characteristics of Competitive Baton Twirling Athletes

Competitive baton twirling is a sport that combines elements of gymnastics, dance and ballet while necessitating cardiovascular endurance, muscular endurance and power, hand-eye coordination, spatial awareness, kinesthetic awareness, timing and choreography. Approximately one million baton twirlers participating in the sport in the United States. Despite considerable participation in competitive baton twirling, little is known about the characteristics of the athletes. This work documents demographic and behavioral characteristics of competitive baton twirlers. Questionnaires were completed by 169 female twirlers from across the Unites States and Canada. Respondents reported a mean (± SD) age of 18.07 yrs. (±6.08) and height of 63.89 in (±6.24), weight 133.56 lbs. (±32.49), BMI (22.92), GPA 3.73 (±0.31), years of competing 8.02 yrs. (±1.81). All (100%) qualified respondents reported experiencing injury due to competing in or training for baton. The extent of the injuries reported varied greatly. A diversity of training, recovery, hydration, and nutrition habits were also reported. These findings indicate that the competitive baton twirlers that participated in this research are adolescent females, diverse in physical profile, of normal BMI, high academic achievers, dedicated athletes, consistently overcome injuries and train by diverse means. Future research may consider the long-term physical effects and an association with mental health competitive baton twirling has on the athletes.

The contra proferentem rule in the reports of the Waitangi Tribunal

<p>This paper examines the Waitangi Tribunal’s application of the contra proferentem rule, a rule developed by United States courts for the interpretation of treaties with Native Americans. The Waitangi Tribunal adopted the Unites States courts’ approach in one of its earliest reports when interpreting the Treaty of Waitangi and has held on to it ever since, even though it is less prominent in the later reports. As a survey of Tribunal reports reveals, the Tribunal has used the contra proferentem rule to different effects. A comparison of the circumstances surrounding the treaties with Native Americans in the United States and the signing of the Treaty of Waitangi however reveals crucial differences that make an interpretation of the Treaty contra proferentem inappropriate. Given that the Treaty is essentially the text in the Māori language, this paper argues, it should be interpreted as a Māori document, that is to say in the Māori oral and cultural context of the Treaty signings. This however is something that the Tribunal only very rarely attempts.</p>

The contra proferentem rule in the reports of the Waitangi Tribunal

<p>This paper examines the Waitangi Tribunal’s application of the contra proferentem rule, a rule developed by United States courts for the interpretation of treaties with Native Americans. The Waitangi Tribunal adopted the Unites States courts’ approach in one of its earliest reports when interpreting the Treaty of Waitangi and has held on to it ever since, even though it is less prominent in the later reports. As a survey of Tribunal reports reveals, the Tribunal has used the contra proferentem rule to different effects. A comparison of the circumstances surrounding the treaties with Native Americans in the United States and the signing of the Treaty of Waitangi however reveals crucial differences that make an interpretation of the Treaty contra proferentem inappropriate. Given that the Treaty is essentially the text in the Māori language, this paper argues, it should be interpreted as a Māori document, that is to say in the Māori oral and cultural context of the Treaty signings. This however is something that the Tribunal only very rarely attempts.</p>

Collection Age and Seed Mass Influence Germination and Seedling Growth in Midwestern White Spruce Accessions

Stored tree seed collections are essential resources for seedling production and conserving unique germplasm. As stored seeds age, however, seed viability and seedling vigor can decline. This study tests how age and seed mass correspond to germination dynamics and seedling vigor in four white spruce collections from the upper midwestern Unites States. Using two seedling growth experiments, this study demonstrates that white spruce seeds stored for &gt;30 years have low seed viability and slower seedling growth rates compared with seeds from more recent (≤10 years) white spruce collections. Seed mass also predicted seedling growth rate regardless of collection age, suggesting larger seeds from older collections generate faster growing seedlings. Study Implications: Efficient use of stored tree seeds saves nursery managers time and resources. White spruce is a collection priority, but management needs to know how seed viability and seedling vigor decline during storage. Diminished germination and seedling growth after &gt;30 years in storage suggests older collections are most appropriate for germplasm conservation and underscore the importance of testing stored seed prior to nursery production. For collections stored &lt;10 years, larger seeds germinate more readily than smaller seeds and produce faster growing seedlings. For older collections, seed mass does not correspond with germination, but seedling growth rate positively correlated with seed mass.

706. Effect of the Covid-19 Pandemic on Rates of Recurrent Clostridiodes difficile Infection in the Veterans Affairs System

Background Clostridiodes difficile infection (CDI) is common and classified as an urgent threat by the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Recurrence (rCDI) occurs in 30% of cases and increases with subsequent episodes. As part of a trial of fecal microbiota transplantation vs. placebo for the prevention of rCDI, rCDI is identified using a case-finding algorithm that screens for potential cases across all Veterans Affairs facilities, a key component of which is a stool test confirming the presence of C. difficile. With the emergence of Covid-19 in the Unites States in early 2020, study personnel observed a decreasing number of rCDI cases. We hypothesized that Covid restrictions and fear of transmission prevented patients from coming to a VA facility to submit a confirmatory stool sample, the standard method of diagnosing rCDI. Accordingly, the algorithm was modified to also identify cases where rCDI was empirically treated, without confirmatory testing. Here we report on the prevalence of empiric treatment of rCDI during the Covid pandemic and changes in lab-conformed cases over time. Methods Cases of potentially rCDI are identified by a weekly query of VA data, using an algorithm that includes laboratory testing results, diagnostic codes, and prescriptions. The ource database is updated daily from every VA facility, encompassing over 8 million Veterans. Potential cases are reviewed by research coordinators using the medical record to determine study eligibility. Beginning June 2020, the algorithm was adjusted to also identify patients with lab confirmation of their first CDI episode but none for their recurrence and identified those who were prescribed treatment for rCDI. Results We observed a reduction in both the number of weekly cases (22.2 vs. 17.4; P &lt; 0.001) which is a 22% decrease after the Covid-19 emergency declaration (figure). Post-declaration, empiric treatment was prescribed to 159 Veterans (mean, 3.3/week). Potential cases of rCDI/week pre- and post Covid-19 pandemic declaration Conclusion There was a significant drop in laboratory-confirmed rCDI associated with Covid-19. Recurrent CDI was frequently empirically treated during the Covid-19 pandemic, potentially exposing many patients with non-CDI diarrhea to unnecessary antimicrobial use and its attendant risks. Disclosures All Authors: No reported disclosures

Taxpayers' Rights

This Article addresses the challenges, trends, and evolution of Taxpayers’ Rights both in the Unites States and in Latin America, particularly by comparing the U.S. Taxpayers’ Bill of Rights and the recently adopted Taxpayers’ Rights Letter from the Latin American Institute of Tax Law (ILADT). Furthermore, although in Latin American this is a relatively more recent topic, nonetheless, in the United States it is not, and the Article also addresses the evolution of taxpayers’ rights both from the point of view of the U.S. Constitution as well as iconic decisions from the U.S. Supreme Court.