Estimators for QST and coalescence times.

Comparisons of QST to FST can provide insights into the evolutionary processes that lead to differentiation, or lack thereof, among the phenotypes of different groups (e.g., populations, species), and these comparisons have been performed on a variety of taxa, including humans. Here, I show that for neutrally evolving (i.e., by genetic drift, mutation, and gene flow alone) quantitative characters, the two commonly used QST estimators have somewhat different interpretations in terms of coalescence times, particularly when the number of groups that have been sampled is small. A similar situation occurs for FST estimators. Consequently, when observations come from only a small number of groups, which is not an unusual situation, it is important to match estimators appropriately when comparing QST to FST

Through the Eyes of the Mentor: Understanding the Adolescent Developing Reader

While some teacher candidates may believe reading instruction is the responsibility of English teachers, providing teacher candidates across all content areas with opportunities to develop skills working with developing readers may impact this misconception. Since some teacher candidates have limited experience, confidence, and/or reading strategies to instruct developing readers, this study examines the individual experiences of reading mentors at a midwestern university and the effect of their experience on developing readers. This mentoring experience revealed an impact both for the teacher candidates and developing readers. This opportunity proved to be rewarding while providing a glimpse of the reality of working with developing readers in teacher candidates’ future classrooms

Through the Eyes of the Mentor: Understanding the Adolescent Developing Reader

While some teacher candidates may believe reading instruction is the responsibility of English teachers, providing teacher candidates across all content areas with opportunities to develop skills working with developing readers may impact this misconception. Since some teacher candidates have limited experience, confidence, and/or reading strategies to instruct developing readers, this study examines the individual experiences of reading mentors at a midwestern university and the effect of their experience on developing readers. This mentoring experience revealed an impact both for the teacher candidates and developing readers. This opportunity proved to be rewarding while providing a glimpse of the reality of working with developing readers in teacher candidates’ future classrooms

Socioeconomic Disparities Do Not Affect Outcomes in Acute Limb Ischemia

Objective: The association between socioeconomic status (SES) and outcome after acute limb ischemia (ALI) is largely unknown. We aimed to determine whether SES is associated with worse presentations and outcomes for patients with ALI. Methods: We performed a retrospective review of a prospectively collected database containing all patients who had presented with ALI between April 2016 and October 2020 to a tertiary care center. SES was quantified using individual variables (median household income, level of education, employment) and a composite endpoint, the neighborhood deprivation index (NDI). The NDI is a standardized and reproducible index that uses census tract data, with a higher number indicating lower SES status. The NDI summarizes eight domains of socioeconomic deprivation. ALI severity was categorized using the Rutherford classification. The associations between SES and the severity of ALI at presentation and between SES and the outcomes were analyzed using bivariate analysis of variance, an independent t test, and multivariate logistic regression, as appropriate. Results: During the study period, 278 patients were treated for ALI, of whom 211 had complete SES data available. Their mean age was 64 years; 55% were men and 57% were white. The Rutherford classification of disease severity was grade 1, 2a, 2b, and 3 for 6%, 54%, 32%, and 8%, respectively. Patients with a low SES status using the NDI were more likely to have a history of peripheral arterial disease and chronic kidney disease at presentation (Table). The etiology (thrombotic vs embolic) was not associated with SES. No significant differences were seen between SES and the severity of ALI at presentation ( P = .96) or the treatment modality ( P = .80). We found no association between SES and either 30-day or 1-year limb loss or mortality (Table). Lower SES (higher NDI) was associated with increased 30-day readmissions ( P = .021). This association persisted on multivariate analysis ( P = .023). Conclusions: SES was not associated with the severity of ALI at presentation. Although SES was associated with the presence of peripheral arterial disease and chronic kidney disease at presentation and higher readmission rates for patients with ALI, SES was not a predictor of short-term or 1-year limb loss or mortality. In the present study, ALI presentation and treatment outcome were independent of SES

Providing Hope after Trauma: Educating in a Juvenile Residential Center

The field of integrated language arts is an ideal forum for sharing stories, discussing perspectives, expressing emotions in a healthy way, and challenging the systems that govern and shape our lives. Accomplishing this goal in a traditional classroom can sometimes be difficult, but for a moment, consider the physical space of a classroom within a juvenile residential center (JRC). This space brings many obstacles that traditional classrooms, teachers, and students do not have to address. To thrive, students need to be in a safe environment of trust. Trust is both critical and challenging to build in a space with so many limitations. By centering student agency, identity, and awareness of structural barriers, teachers may be able to make a positive difference in the lives of incarcerated students, especially those impacted by trauma. This could help students gain a new perspective on their own recidivism and cycles underneath a systemic context, hopefully forging a path toward freedom and healing. This qualitative case study focuses on two novice teachers’ journeys as they navigate their instructional decisions and practice within a JRC

An X-ray Mini-survey of Nearby Edge-on Starburst Galaxies II. The Question of Metal Abundance

(abbreviated) We have undertaken an X-ray survey of a far-infrared flux limited sample of seven nearby edge-on starburst galaxies. Here, we examine the two X-ray-brightest sample members NGC 253 and M 82 in a self-consistent manner, taking account of the spatial distribution of the X-ray emission in choosing our spectral models. There is significant X-ray absorption in the disk of NGC 253. When this is accounted for we find that multi-temperature thermal plasma models with significant underlying soft X-ray absorption are more consistent with the imaging data than single-temperature models with highly subsolar abundances or models with minimal absorption and non-equilibrium thermal ionization conditions. Our models do not require absolute abundances that are inconsistent with solar values or unusually supersolar ratios of the alpha-burning elements with respect to Fe (as claimed previously). We conclude that with current data, the technique of measuring abundances in starburst galaxies via X-ray spectral modeling is highly uncertain. Based on the point-like nature of much of the X-ray emission in the PSPC hard-band image of NGC 253, we suggest that a significant fraction of the ``extended'' X-ray emission in the 3-10 keV band seen along the disk of the galaxy with ASCA and BeppoSAX (Cappi et al.) is comprised of discrete sources in the disk, as opposed to purely diffuse, hot gas. This could explain the low Fe abundances of ~1/4 solar derived for pure thermal models.Comment: (accepted for publication in the Astrophysical Journal

Impact Of Preoperative Hemoglobina1c In Patients Undergoing Open Distal Vascular Procedures

Objective: The purpose of this study was to evaluate if preoperative hemoglobin (Hb) A1c levels was associated with worse outcomes in patients undergoing open lower extremity (LE) revascularization. Methods: A retrospective review of a statewide vascular surgery registry was queried for all patients who underwent open infrainguinal bypass or open LE thrombectomy procedures between January 2014 and June 2021. Patients were categorized into four groups depending on whether their plasma HbA1c was ≤6%, \u3e6% to ≤8%, \u3e8% to ≤10%, and \u3e10%. Regression models were used to evaluate the association between preoperative HbA1c and postoperative major adverse limb events (MALE), major adverse cardiac events (MACE), mortality, and length of stay (LOS). Results: A total of 5388 patients were included in the study. The average age was 66 years. Sixty-six percent of the cohort were male, and 78% were white. Demographics and comorbidities were associated with the HbA1c level. Mean LOS was 7 days for HbA1c \u3c6% and 10 days for HbA1c \u3e10% (P \u3c.001). No significant association was found when looking at perioperative MALE, MACE, 30-day mortality, or 1-year mortality. On multivariate analysis, only LOS remained significantly associated with the level of HbA1c (P \u3c.001) (Table). Conclusions: Suboptimal preoperative glycemic control in patients undergoing open LE vascular procedures for ischemia is associated with an increased risk of LOS. HbA1c level was not predictive of worse perioperative MACE, MALE, or mortality in this cohort. The increased in LOS could be explained by unmeasured complications, frailty, or increased hospitalization time needed to optimize glycemic control before discharge. [Formula presented

ASCA Observations of the Starburst-Driven Superwind Galaxy NGC 2146: Broad Band (0.6 - 9 keV) Spectral Properties

We report ASCA GIS and SIS observations of the nearby (D = 11.6 Mpc), nearly edge-on, starburst galaxy NGC 2146. These X-ray spectral data complement ROSAT PSPC and HRI imaging discussed by Armus et al., 1995. The broad band (0.6-9 keV) X-ray spectrum of NGC 2146 is best described by a two component model: the soft X-ray emission with a Raymond-Smith thermal plasma model having a temperature of kT $\sim 0.8$ keV; the hard X-ray emission with a thermal plasma model having kT $\sim 8$ keV or a power-law model having a photon index of $\sim 1.7$. We do not find compelling evidence of substantial excess absorption above the Galactic value. The soft (hard) thermal component provides about 30% (70%) of the total luminosity in the 0.5 - 2.0 keV energy band, while in the 2-10 keV energy range only the hard component plays a major role. The spectral results allow us to set tighter constraints on the starburst-driven superwind model, which we show can satisfactorily account for the luminosity, mass, and energy content represented by the soft X-ray spectral component. We estimate that the mass outflow rate ($\sim$ 9 M$_{\odot}$ per year) is about an order of magnitude greater than the predicted rate at which supernovae and stellar winds return mass into the interstellar medium and, therefore, argue that the flow is strongly "mass-loaded" with material in and around the starburst. The estimated outflow velocity of the hot gas is close to the escape velocity from the galaxy, so the fate of the gas is not clear. We suggest that the hard X-ray spectral component is due to the combined emission of X-ray binaries and/or young supernovae remnants associated with the starburst.Comment: 26 pages plus 4 figures, LaTex manuscript, Accepted for publication in the Astrophysical Journa

Very Extended X-ray and H-alpha Emission in M82: Implications for the Superwind Phenomenon

We discuss the properties and implications of a 3.7x0.9 kpc region of spatially-coincident X-ray and H-alpha emission about 11.6 kpc to the north of the galaxy M82 previously discussed by Devine and Bally (1999). The PSPC X-ray spectrum is fit by thermal plasma (kT=0.80+-0.17 keV) absorbed by only the Galactic foreground column density. We evaluate the relationship of the X-ray/H-alpha ridge to the M82 superwind. The main properties of the X-ray emission can all be explained as being due to shock-heating driven as the superwind encounters a massive ionized cloud in the halo of M82. This encounter drives a slow shock into the cloud, which contributes to the excitation of the observed H-alpha emission. At the same time, a fast bow-shock develops in the superwind just upstream of the cloud, and this produces the observed X-ray emission. This interpretation would imply that the superwind has an outflow speed of roughly 800 km/s, consistent with indirect estimates based on its general X-ray properties and the kinematics of the inner kpc-scale region of H-alpha filaments. The gas in the M82 ridge is roughly two orders-of-magnitude hotter than the minimum "escape temperature" at this radius, so this gas will not be retained by M82. (abridged)Comment: 24 pages (latex), 3 figures (2 gif files and one postscript), accepted for publication in Part 1 of The Astrophysical Journa