Evaluating Impacts of Five Years of Beginning Farmer Webinar Training

The Michigan State University Extension Beginning Farmer Webinar Series has been implemented statewide since 2012. For the period 2012–2016, 63 webinars were provided to 607 participants. Regular evaluation efforts capture impact data from participants 6 to 10 months after they complete the series. However, to determine longer range impacts of the program, we developed a follow-up online evaluation and distributed it via email invitation to 2012–2016 participants for whom contact information was available. The evaluation results indicate an encouraging level of impact with regard to knowledge retained, farm practices changed, and positive economic metrics such as new farm start-ups and new jobs

Predicting erythropoietin resistance in hemodialysis patients with type 2 diabetes

<p>Background: Resistance to ESAs (erythropoietin stimulating agents) is highly prevalent in hemodialysis patients with diabetes and associated with an increased mortality. The aim of this study was to identify predictors for ESA resistance and to develop a prediction model for the risk stratification in these patients.</p> <p>Methods: A post-hoc analysis was conducted of the 4D study, including 1015 patients with type 2 diabetes undergoing hemodialysis. Determinants of ESA resistance were identified by univariate logistic regression analyses. Subsequently, multivariate models were performed with stepwise inclusion of significant predictors from clinical parameters, routine laboratory and specific biomarkers.</p> <p>Results: In the model restricted to clinical parameters, male sex, shorter dialysis vintage, lower BMI, history of CHF, use of ACE-inhibitors and a higher heart rate were identified as independent predictors of ESA resistance. In regard to routine laboratory markers, lower albumin, lower iron saturation, higher creatinine and higher potassium levels were independently associated with ESA resistance. With respect to specific biomarkers, higher ADMA and CRP levels as well as lower Osteocalcin levels were predictors of ESA resistance.</p> <p>Conclusions: Easily obtainable clinical parameters and routine laboratory parameters can predict ESA resistance in diabetic hemodialysis patients with good discrimination. Specific biomarkers did not meaningfully further improve the risk prediction of ESA resistance. Routinely assessed data can be used in clinical practice to stratify patients according to the risk of ESA resistance, which may help to assign appropriate treatment strategies.</p&gt

Randomized, Double-Blind, Phase II Trial Comparing Gemcitabine-Cisplatin plus the LTB4 Antagonist LY293111 versus Gemcitabine-Cisplatin plus Placebo in First-Line Non–Small-Cell Lung Cancer

Introduction:In this phase II study, patients with stage IIIB/IV non–small-cell lung cancer were randomly assigned (1:1:1) to receive LY293111 (200 mg twice daily [200 LY293111] or 600 mg twice daily [600 LY293111]) or placebo for 7 days, followed by concurrent cisplatin (75 mg/m2; day 1) and gemcitabine (1250 mg/m2; days 1 and 8), every 21 days.The primary endpoint was progression-free survival, (PFS), with 75% power to detect 33% improvement compared with placebo (5 months).Methods:Of 200 randomized patients, 195 were treated. Demographics were well balanced across treatment arms: 65% of the patients were men; median age was 62 years; 85% had stage IV disease; and patients had an Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status of 0 (36%) or 1 (64%).Results:The most frequent study drug–related toxicities were nausea, vomiting, and fatigue. Response rates were similar across treatment arms (200 LY293111: 20%; 600 LY293111: 25%; placebo: 31%).Conclusions:Median PFS (95% confidence interval) was not significantly different across treatment arms (200 LY293111: 4.6 months [3.2–5.0]; 600 LY293111: 5.6 months [4.1–6.8]; placebo: 6.0 months [5.2–7.5]). LY293111 combined with gemcitabine-cisplatin did not increase median PFS compared with placebo plus gemcitabine-cisplatin in patients with non–small-cell lung cancer

Performance Verification of the FlashCam Prototype Camera for the Cherenkov Telescope Array

The Cherenkov Telescope Array (CTA) is a future gamma-ray observatory that is planned to significantly improve upon the sensitivity and precision of the current generation of Cherenkov telescopes. The observatory will consist of several dozens of telescopes with different sizes and equipped with different types of cameras. Of these, the FlashCam camera system is the first to implement a fully digital signal processing chain which allows for a traceable, configurable trigger scheme and flexible signal reconstruction. As of autumn 2016, a prototype FlashCam camera for the medium-sized telescopes of CTA nears completion. First results of the ongoing system tests demonstrate that the signal chain and the readout system surpass CTA requirements. The stability of the system is shown using long-term temperature cycling.Comment: 5 pages, 13 figures, Proceedings of the 9th International Workshop on Ring Imaging Cherenkov Detectors (RICH 2016), Lake Bled, Sloveni

The Effects of Warm-up Duration on Cycling Time Trial Performance in Trained Cyclists

. The purpose of this study was to assess the effects of three different warm-up condi-tions on a 5K cycling time trial (TT). Sixteen trained cyclists completed the study. At the first testing session, participants completed a maximal graded exercise test to assess maximal oxygen consumption (VO2max) and a familiarization of the TT. At three subse-quent visits, the participants completed the TT after no warm up, short warm-up of three minutes at 60% VO2max, or long warm-up of ten minutes at 60% VO2max. The warm-up was assigned in randomized order. VO2, heart rate (HR), lactate, power, and speed were assessed after the warm-up, 1K, and completion of the 5K TT. There was no dif-ference between type of warm-up for time, power, cadence, speed, VO2, HR, or lactate levels at the end of the TT. There was no significant difference between type of warm-up for time, VO2 or HR at the end of the 1K split. Warm-up length was not impactful on 5K TT performance or during the first km of the TT in trained cyclists. These results con-flict with previous evidence indicating that a warm-up in endurance events primarily improved VO2 kinetics at the onset of the exercise

Proof-of-principle validation of a novel intraluminal optical sensor for dynamic monitoring of intestinal anastomosis: An in vivo animal model case study

Intestinal resections are commonly performed to treat different colorectal conditions, including colorectal cancer. A successful primary anastomosis is the desired optimal outcome after intestinal resection. Maintaining adequate blood flow across the anastomosis is paramount for reducing anastomotic failure. Currently, there are no clinical devices capable of continuously assessing blood flow and blood perfusion at an anastomosis during and after surgery. The aim of this study was to develop an indwelling optical sensor for the monitoring of perfusion biomarkers using photoplethysmography and near-infrared spectroscopy principles. In an animal in-vivo proof-of-principle study, it was found that the developed sensor performed appropriately for the assessment of blood flow and perfusion in an anastomosis, showing changes in the assessed parameters after gradual devascularization of the transected bowel

Underground railroads: citizen entitlements and unauthorized mobility in the antebellum period and today

In recent years, some scholars and prominent political figures have advocated the deepening of North American integration on roughly the European Union model, including the creation of new political institutions and the free movement of workers across borders. The construction of such a North American Union, if it included even a very thin trans-state citizenship regime, could represent the most significant expansion of individual entitlements in the region since citizenship was extended to former slaves in the United States. With such a possibility as its starting point, this article explores some striking parallels between the mass, legally prohibited movement across boundaries by fugitive slaves in the pre-Civil War period, and that by current unauthorized migrants to the United States. Both were, or are, met on their journeys by historically parallel groups of would-be helpers and hinderers. Their unauthorized movements in both periods serve as important signals of incomplete entitlements or institutional protections. Most crucially, moral arguments for extending fuller entitlements to both groups are shown here to be less distinct than may be prima facie evident, reinforcing the case for expanding and deepening the regional membership regime

Population differentiation of zander (Sander lucioperca) across native and newly colonized ranges suggests increasing admixture in the course of an invasion

In addition to ecological factors, evolutionary processes can determine the invasion success of a species. In particular, genetic admixture has the potential to induce rapid evolutionary change, which can result from natural or humanassisted secondary contact between differentiated populations. We studied the recent range expansion of zander in Germany focusing on the interplay between invasion and genetic admixture. Historically, the rivers Elbe and Danube harboured the most north-western source populations from which a north-westward range expansion occurred. This was initiated by introducing zander outside its native range into rivers and lakes, and was fostered by migration through artificial canals and stocking from various sources. We analysed zander populations of the native and invaded ranges using nuclear and mitochondrial genetic markers. Three genetic lineages were identified, which were traced to ancestral ranges. Increased genetic diversity and admixture in the invaded region highlighted asymmetric gene flow towards this area. We suppose that the adaptive potential of the invading populations was promoted by genetic admixture, whereas competitive exclusion in the native areas provided a buffer against introgression by novel genotypes. These explanations would be in line with evidence that hybridization can drive evolutionary change under conditions when new niches can be exploited