Sinoatrial Contracaeciasis in Johnny Darters ( Etheostoma nigrum) and Plains Topminnow ( Fundulus sciadicus ) From the South Platte Drainage, Colorado

ABSTRACT Intra‐sinoatrial nematodes were incidentally recognized in wild‐caught Colorado Johnny Darters ( Etheostoma nigrum , JD) in 2020–2021 and in Colorado Plains Topminnow ( Fundulus sciadicus , PTM) in 2023‐2024. PTM and JD were evaluated histologically. Nematodes dissected from PTM were used for morphologic evaluation and molecular identification. The first and second internal transcribed spacers (ITS1 and ITS2) of ribosomal DNA were sequenced. Sinoatrial nematodes were found in two of 1232 JD (0.2%) and nine of 110 PTM (8.2%). Worms caused dilation or aneurysm of the sinus venosus. One JD had severe sinus venosus phlebitis. Morphologic, histologic and molecular features were diagnostic for Contracaecum spp. This is the first identification of larval Contracaecum in PTM, the first record of an intravascular nematode in this species, and the first documentation of vascular localization of Contracaecum larvae in JD. Vascular pathology could result in increased susceptibility to predation and favour the completion of the nematode life cycle. Parasites could become detrimental to population survival, especially those that are stressed by ecological and anthropogenic factors.

Patterns of water‐extractable soil organic matter in the US Great Plains: Insights from the Haas Soil Archive

Abstract Novel approaches that are fast and sensitive are needed to evaluate soil change and integrate soil ecosystem properties. Carbon (C) and nitrogen (N) extracted from soil with water are associated with plant nutrients and microbial activity but information about change over time in the US Great Plains is sparse. We used cool (20°C) and hot (80°C) water extracts from historic (1947) and contemporary (2018) soil samples collected at Moccasin, MT; Akron, CO; and Big Spring, TX; to examine changes to labile C and N and optical properties after 71 years of dryland cropping. Concentrations of C and N extracted with cool water decreased between 1947 and 2018 in surface (0–15.2 cm) samples from Moccasin, by 52% and 35%, and Big Spring, by 37% and 32%, but remained unchanged at Akron. Conversely, net (hot−cool) extractable C did not change at Moccasin or Big Spring but increased at Akron by 26%. Net extractable N decreased at Moccasin by 22% but did not change elsewhere. Sequential principal component analysis and stepwise discriminant analysis identified three important optical properties. Values of SUVA 254 (where SUVA 254 is the specific ultraviolet absorbance at 254 nm) in extracts did not change at Moccasin between 1947 and 2018 but increased at Akron, indicating increased aromaticity. Conversely, SUVA 254 decreased at Big Spring. Values for Sag 350–400 (where Sag 350–400 is the slope from a nonlinear fit of an exponential function to the absorption spectrum over the wavelength range from 350 to 400 nm), inversely related to extract molecular weight and aromaticity, decreased at Moccasin but not elsewhere. The proportion of recalcitrant to labile compounds, C:T (where C:T is the ratio of fluorescence intensity from Peak C [ex340/em440] to Peak T [ex275/em340]), increased in extracts from all sites but especially at Akron. Together, these methods provided insights into soil change while conserving samples.

Field observations: Photoperiod response and yield of hemp at various latitudes throughout New Mexico

Abstract There has been a rapid increase in research to understand the genetic and agroclimatic interactions of hemp ( Cannabis sativa L.) relative to its economic viability. Initial field trials at New Mexico State University were conducted in 2021 and 2022 at three sites across the state for high‐cannabidiol (CBD), grain, and fiber hemp types. The goal of this work was preliminary evaluation of factors, such as variety choice and production conditions (specifically, water stress and organic management), to highlight topics that should be studied in full variety trials. Even with the limited scope, two important lessons from the studies are expected to be valuable for the developing industry: (a) the majority of available, compliant industrial (grain/fiber) varieties show severely shortened vegetative phases and early reproductive responses at low latitudes; and (b) high‐CBD varieties perform inconsistently in outdoor production, rarely producing flower biomass yields and total CBD content necessary for economic viability. Future work is needed in the southwestern United States to find grain/fiber varieties with genetics suitable to the latitude and to reduce the costs of indoor production of CBD varieties.

Biomass production, weed suppression, and soil water use of cover crops in dryland wheat production systems

Abstract Cover cropping in the fallow phase of winter wheat ( Triticum aestivum L.)–fallow systems of the semiarid Pacific Northwest has been identified as an opportunity to build resilience and enhance farm profitability. Nine fall‐ and spring‐sown cover crops (CCs) grown during the traditional fallow period were evaluated at sites in the low and intermediate precipitation zones of the region in a 2‐year study (2021 and 2022). The fall‐sown CCs included winter pea ( Pisum sativum L.), winter lentil ( Lens culinaris Medik.), and fall species mix; and the spring‐sown CCs included common vetch, yellow mustard, lacy phacelia, tillage radish ( Raphanus sativus L.), spring barley ( Hordeum vulgare L.), and a spring species mix. CCs were evaluated for biomass production and impacts on soil water and weeds. CC growth was dependent on location, year, planting timing, and CC species. Fall‐sown CCs generally produced more biomass than spring‐sown CCs across site‐years, with winter peas and the fall species mix being most productive. Following a year of greater than average precipitation, no negative effects of CCs on fall soil moisture were observed at the intermediate precipitation site, while fall‐sown CCs reduced soil moisture at the low precipitation site. The suppressive effect of CCs on weeds ranged from null to moderate, depending on site, year, and CC seeding time. Fall‐sown CCs more consistently suppressed weeds than spring‐sown CCs. Additionally, fall‐sown CCs were terminated in the spring before weeds set viable seeds, saving a herbicide application and reducing herbicide pressure without exacerbating future weed issues. Overall, select fall‐sown CCs showed promise to enhance ecosystem services during the traditional fallow period.

Supporting Transition Resilience Among Newcomer Groups (STRONG): Examining effectiveness and acceptability in urban public schools

Abstract The Supporting Transition Resilience Of Newcomer Groups (STRONG; Hoover et al., 2019) program was developed to support mental health among newcomer refugee and immigrant students by (1) promoting positive adjustment during resettlement through a trauma‐informed, strengths‐based approach, contextualized to meet the needs of refugee and immigrant youth; and (2) improving access to services through school‐based programming. The purpose of this study was to examine the acceptability and effectiveness of STRONG on the mental health and resilience of refugee and immigrant students using a group randomized waitlist control design. A sample of 64 newcomer students ( M age  = 13.9, SD = 3.11; 41% female) was recruited to participate in the STRONG program, representing 19 different countries of origin and diverse ethnicities (44% Latiné; 34% Asian; 13% Middle Eastern/North African; 8% African/Black). Additionally, teachers or administrators from each participating STRONG school completed interviews, while group facilitators (e.g., clinicians and bilingual teachers) were invited to participate in focus groups. This study provides preliminary evidence that STRONG supports newcomer mental health, with students in the immediate treatment group showing reductions in anxiety/depression and externalizing symptoms compared to the waitlist. Qualitative findings provide additional support for the acceptability and benefits of this intervention. However, coping efficacy unexpectedly decreased, and several interactions with school type (e.g., high school vs. elementary) emerged. Additional research is warranted to further evaluate this promising intervention for newcomer youth.

Using community‐based participatory research to contextualize Latino exposure to community violence: A mixed qualitative and spatial analysis approach

Abstract While the relationship between community violence exposure and maladaptive outcomes has been established, the dynamic between violence exposure and resilience factors in youth is not well understood. The current study utilizes a community‐based participatory research (CBPR) framework and employs a novel mixed‐methods approach integrating quantitative geographic information systems (GIS) data and semi‐structured qualitative focus groups to examine violence exposure, family functioning, and neighborhood characteristics, such as community assets, as experienced and reported by Latino adolescents. Participants ( N  = 40; age 12–18) included Mexican American youth residing in an urban area and were recruited based on their involvement in a youth organization. The youth‐made maps and focus groups revealed that participants identified friends and family, social capital, and community engagement as safe and protective. However, the characterization of schools was more complicated and inconsistent. While schools appear to be sources of refuge and places to process neighborhood stressors for some youth, exposure to violence within and around school made them unsafe for others. Future studies and interventions, especially school safe passage programs, should consider a similar CBPR mixed‐methods approach due to the precision of the GIS data and the youth voice brought by the qualitative methods.

The latest insights into rare blood disorders: Diagnosis and treatment strategies

The impact of post‐remission granulocyte colony‐stimulating factor use in the phase 3 studies of venetoclax combination treatments in patients with newly diagnosed acute myeloid leukemia

Treatment Effectiveness of Venetoclax‐Based Therapy After Bruton Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitors in Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia: An International Real‐World Study

Blastic Plasmocytoid Dendritic Cell Neoplasm With Pseudo‐Lymphoid Morphology Mimicking Lymphoid Malignancy