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Teacher quality can have a significant impact on students' academic achievement (Hattie, 2023). Prior research has noted a connection between the loss of experienced teachers at a school and declines in student success (Hanushek, et al., 2016; Holme, et al., 2018). Increased use of social media as a connective public platform to share thoughts, feelings, and beliefs may offer researchers an opportunity to explore perspectives on the work environment and attrition described in teachers' own voices. The purpose of this study is to use thematic content analysis to examine conversations and factors most discussed by teachers centering on attrition using the TikTok social media platform. Social media offers teachers a way to connect with others and share their thoughts while maintaining a perceived level of professional distance from their workplace. This research will explore how teachers use social media to provide a window into their classroom, working conditions, and decisions to leave or stay. The study was guided by the following questions: (1) How are current and former teachers using the TikTok social media platform to discuss or express their views on the teacher resignation trend? and (2) How do perceived and expressed attrition factors differ between teachers who leave and those who stay? [The article's title on the cover page is displayed as: "#TeacherQuitTok: A Content Analysis of How Current and Former Teachers Navigate Attrition on TikTok."]

Abstract Circadian regulation of autonomic tone and reflex pathways pairs physiological processes with the daily light cycle. However, the underlying mechanisms mediating these changes on autonomic neurocircuitry are only beginning to be understood. The brainstem nucleus of the solitary tract (NTS) and adjacent nuclei, including the area postrema and dorsal motor nucleus of the vagus, are key candidates for rhythmic control of some aspects of the autonomic nervous system. Recent findings have contributed to a working model of circadian regulation in the brainstem which manifests from the transcriptional, to synaptic, to circuit levels of organization. Vagal afferent neurons and the NTS possess rhythmic clock gene expression, rhythmic action potential firing, and our recent findings demonstrate rhythmic spontaneous glutamate release. In addition, postsynaptic conductances also vary across the day producing subtle changes in membrane depolarization which govern synaptic efficacy. Together these coordinated pre‐ and postsynaptic changes provide nuanced control of synaptic transmission across the day to tune the sensitivity of primary afferent input and likely govern reflex output. Further, given the important role for the brainstem in integrating cues such as feeding, cardiovascular function and temperature, it may also be an underappreciated locus in mediating the effects of such non‐photic entraining cues. This short review focuses on the neurophysiological principles that govern NTS synaptic transmission and how circadian rhythms impacted them across the day.

Growing student populations, accountability policies, and isolation due to remote learning are impacting teacher retention. The present study used narrative inquiry to explore the beliefs, contexts, and experiences that shape principals' perceptions of their role in buffering teacher stress, burnout, and attrition. The researcher worked with school leaders to co-develop individual narratives that described their personal experiences in supporting teacher efficacy and retention in an urban district with high rates of attrition. Principals shared common stress factors including workload, discipline, and accountability. Collegial relationships, autonomy, and mentorship were noted as common supports. Principals felt they made an impact by building relationships, developing support systems, and seeking feedback on individual teacher needs. The narratives shed light on how these principals formed perspectives that framed their leadership approach. The results may serve future leaders as they navigate the issue of teacher support and retention.

Objective: Assess university students' SARS-CoV-2 antibody seroprevalence and mitigation behaviors over time. Participants: Randomly selected college students (N = 344) in a predominantly rural Southern state. Methods: Participants provided blood samples and completed self-administered questionnaires at three timepoints over the academic year. Adjusted odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals were estimated from logistic regression analyses. Results: SARS-CoV-2 antibody seroprevalence was 18.2% in September 2020, 13.1% in December, and 45.5% in March 2021 (21% for those with no vaccination history). SARS-CoV-2 antibody seroprevalence was associated with large social gatherings, staying local during the summer break, symptoms of fatigue or rhinitis, Greek affiliation, attending Greek events, employment, and using social media as the primary COVID-19 information source. In March 2021, seroprevalence was associated with receiving at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccination. Conclusion: SARS-CoV-2 seroprevalence was higher in this population of college students than previous studies. Results can assist leaders in making informed decisions as new variants threaten college campuses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Students in geographic information systems and science (GIS) require significant experience outside of spatial analysis, cartography, and other traditional geographic topics. Computer science knowledge, skills, and practices exist as essential components of GIS practice, but coursework in this area is not universally offered in geography or GIS degrees. To support those interested in developing such courses, this paper describes the design and implementation of a server-focused course in WebGIS at Texas A&M University. We provide an in-depth discussion of the equipment and resources required to build and operate an on-premise CyberGIS server infrastructure suitable for supporting such classes, providing comparisons with an equivalent solution built on Amazon Web Services (AWS). We consider the comparative costs of these systems, including benefits and drawbacks of each. In comparing these deployment options, we outline the technical expertise, monetary investments, operational expenses, and organizational strategies necessary to run server-based CyberGIS courses. Finally, we reflect on assignments and feedback from students and consider their experiences in a course of this nature. This article provides a resource for GIS instructors, academic departments, or other academic units to consider during infrastructure investment, curriculum redesign, the addition of courses in degree plans, or for the development of CyberGIS components.

Gammaherpesviruses are oncogenic pathogens that establish lifelong infections. There are no FDA-approved vaccines against Epstein–Barr virus or Kaposi sarcoma herpesvirus. Murine gammaherpesvirus-68 (MHV68) infection of mice provides a system for investigating gammaherpesvirus pathogenesis and testing vaccine strategies. Prime-boost vaccination with a replication-dead virus (RDV) that does not express the essential replication and transactivator protein (RTA) encoded by ORF50 (RDV-50.stop) protected against WT virus replication and reduced latency in C57BL/6 mice, and prevented lethal disease in Ifnar1−/− mice. To further improve the RDV vaccine and more closely model KSHV vaccine design, we generated an RDV lacking the unique M1-M4 genes and the non-coding tRNA-miRNA-encoded RNAs (TMERs) 6, 7, and 8 that collectively promote latency of MHV68 in vivo. Prime-boost vaccination of mice with RDV-50.stop∆M1-M4 elicited neutralizing antibodies and virus-specific CD8 T-cell responses in the lungs and spleens, the respective sites of acute replication and latency, that were comparable to RDV-50.stop vaccination. When challenged with WT MHV68, vaccinated mice exhibited a near-complete block of lytic replication and a reduction in latency and reactivation. We conclude that the unique M1-M4 genes and TMERs 6, 7, and 8, which are major determinants of WT MHV68 pathogenesis, are not required for eliciting protective immunity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Circadian regulation of autonomic tone and reflex pathways pairs physiological processes with the daily light cycle. However, the underlying mechanisms mediating these changes on autonomic neurocircuitry are only beginning to be understood. The brainstem nucleus of the solitary tract (NTS) and adjacent nuclei, including the area postrema and dorsal motor nucleus of the vagus, are key candidates for rhythmic control of some aspects of the autonomic nervous system. Recent findings have contributed to a working model of circadian regulation in the brainstem which manifests from the transcriptional, to synaptic, to circuit levels of organization. Vagal afferent neurons and the NTS possess rhythmic clock gene expression, rhythmic action potential firing, and our recent findings demonstrate rhythmic spontaneous glutamate release. In addition, postsynaptic conductances also vary across the day producing subtle changes in membrane depolarization which govern synaptic efficacy. Together these coordinated pre‐ and postsynaptic changes provide nuanced control of synaptic transmission across the day to tune the sensitivity of primary afferent input and likely govern reflex output. Further, given the important role for the brainstem in integrating cues such as feeding, cardiovascular function and temperature, it may also be an underappreciated locus in mediating the effects of such non‐photic entraining cues. This short review focuses on the neurophysiological principles that govern NTS synaptic transmission and how circadian rhythms impacted them across the day. What is the topic of this review?Synaptic encoding of brainstem circadian rhythms.What advances does it highlight?Rhythmic changes in fast neurotransmission span the time frames between transcription/translation and physiological/behavioural responses. Coordinated pre‐ and postsynaptic neurophysiological changes provide nuanced circadian control to synaptic throughput. Spontaneous vesicle release is a unique cellular mechanism for encoding circadian changes to synaptic and circuit function. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article "Teaching Cyber Literacy: Deploying Lessons from the Hour of Cyberinfrastructure in the Classroom" discusses the integration of cyberinfrastructure (CI) training into geography education. The Hour of Cyberinfrastructure (Hour of CI) project offers 17 lessons that aim to introduce learners to CI concepts through geospatially based topics. The lessons are structured as interactive online modules and are designed to enhance cyberliteracy across various disciplines, providing support for both learners and instructors. The project has received positive feedback from pilot testers, indicating its effectiveness in promoting cyberliteracy and computational skills. [Extracted from the article]

This paper reports 2 cases of female carriers of the FMR1 premutation for developing spontaneous coronary artery dissection (SCAD). These women had classical presentations of premutation symptoms, including anxiety, depression, and connective tissue problems, all of which can contribute to SCAD. These cases suggest a possible connection between the fragile X premutation and a predisposition to SCAD. (Level of Difficulty: Intermediate.)

Reduced peripheral microvascular reactivity is associated with an increased risk for major adverse cardiac events (MACEs). Tools for noninvasive assessment of peripheral microvascular function are limited, and existing technology is poorly validated in both healthy populations and patients with cardiovascular disease (CVD). Here, we used a handheld incident dark-field imaging tool (CytoCam) to test the hypothesis that, compared with healthy individuals (no risk factors for CVD), subjects formally diagnosed with coronary artery disease (CAD) or those with ≥2 risk factors for CAD (at risk) would exhibit impaired peripheral microvascular reactivity. A total of 17 participants (11 healthy, 6 at risk) were included in this pilot study. CytoCam was used to measure sublingual microvascular total vessel density (TVD), perfused vessel density (PVD), and microvascular flow index (MFI) in response to the topical application of acetylcholine (ACh) and sublingual administration of nitroglycerin (NTG). Baseline MFI and PVD were significantly reduced in the at-risk cohort compared with healthy individuals. Surprisingly, following the application of acetylcholine and nitroglycerin, both groups showed a significant improvement in all three microvascular perfusion parameters. These results suggest that, despite baseline reductions in both microvascular density and perfusion, human in vivo peripheral microvascular reactivity to both endothelial-dependent and -independent vasoactive agents remains intact in individuals with CAD or multiple risk factors for disease. NEW & NOTEWORTHY: To our knowledge, this is the first study to comprehensively characterize in vivo sublingual microvascular structure and function (endothelium-dependent and -independent) in healthy patients and those with CVD. Importantly, we used an easy-to-use handheld device that can be easily translated to clinical settings. Our results indicate that baseline microvascular impairments in structure and function can be detected using the CytoCam technology, although reactivity to acetylcholine may be maintained even during disease in the peripheral microcirculation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Natural Hazards Engineering Research Infrastructure (NHERI) experimental facility at the University of Florida provides a diverse suite of experimental resources to support wind hazard research. The 40-m long Boundary Layer Wind Tunnel (BLWT) simulates boundary layer flows to characterize wind loading on rigid structural models and assess the response of aeroelastic structures. The use of experimental automation tools provides researchers unparalleled flexibility in their test configurations while supporting high throughput testing and data collection. The Terraformer, an array of 1116 roughness elements, can be rapidly reconfigured to generate terrain conditions in less than 90 s, the test section turntable can move automatically through a range of wind approach angles, and the instrumentation gantry can traverse preset paths to collect wind field measurements anywhere in the tunnel cross-section. These test automation tools, along with mechatronic structural models and real-time data transfer and processing, provide new opportunities in experimental wind tunnel testing. Recent cyber-physical wind tunnel testing projects highlight the benefits of these experimental automation tools. This paper will also discuss the most recent addition to the BLWT, the Flow Field Modulator (FFM). It consists of a 2D array of 319 individually controlled ducted fans driven by electronic speed controllers. The FFM expands the BLWT capabilities by supporting the simulation of non-monotonic profiles and non-stationary events such as gust fronts and downbursts, where mean velocity and turbulence distributions change over short spatial scales. The ability to simulate these flow conditions in a wind tunnel enables the investigation of a wide range of damaging conditions and the solutions for mitigating their impact on structures.

Background The Rwanda Human Resources for Health Program (HRH Program) is a 7-year (2012-2019) health professional training initiative led by the Government of Rwanda with the goals of training a large, diverse, and competent health workforce and strengthening the capacity of academic institutions in Rwanda. Methods The data for this organizational case study was collected through official reports from the Rwanda Ministry of Health (MoH) and 22 participating US academic institutions, databases from the MoH and the College of Medicine and Health Sciences (CMHS) in Rwanda, and surveys completed by the co-authors. Results In the first 5 years of the HRH Program, a consortium of US academic institutions has deployed an average of 99 visiting faculty per year to support 22 training programs, which are on track to graduate almost 4600 students by 2019. The HRH Program has also built capacity within the CMHS by promoting the recruitment of Rwandan faculty and the establishment of additional partnerships and collaborations with the US academic institutions. Conclusion The milestones achieved by the HRH Program have been substantial although some challenges persist. These challenges include adequately supporting the visiting faculty; pairing them with Rwandan faculty (twinning); ensuring strong communication and coordination among stakeholders; addressing mismatches in priorities between donors and implementers; the execution of a sustainability strategy; and the decision by one of the donors not to renew funding beyond March 2017. Over the next 2 academic years, it is critical for the sustainability of the 22 training programs supported by the HRH Program that the health-related Schools at the CMHS significantly scale up recruitment of new Rwandan faculty. The HRH Program can serve as a model for other training initiatives implemented in countries affected by a severe shortage of health professionals.

We make explicit a theorem of Fromm and Goldmakher, which states that one can improve Burgess’ bound for short character sums simply by improving the leading constant in the Pólya–Vinogradov inequality. Towards achieving this, we establish explicit versions of several estimates related to the mean values of real multiplicative functions and the Dickman function. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper presents a generalized approach for predicting (i.e., interpolating) the magnitude and distribution of roof pressures near separated flow regions on a low-rise structure based on freestream turbulent flow conditions. A feed-forward multilayer artificial neural network (ANN) using a backpropagation (BP) training algorithm is employed to predict the mean, root-mean-square (RMS), and peak pressure coefficients on three geometrically scaled (1:50, 1:30, and 1:20) low-rise building models for a family of upwind approach flow conditions. A comprehensive dataset of recently published boundary layer wind tunnel (BLWT) pressure measurements was utilized for training, validation, and evaluation of the ANN model. On average, predicted ANN peak pressure coefficients for a group of pressure taps located near the roof corner were within 5.1, 6.9, and 7.7% of BLWT observations for the 1:50, 1:30, and 1:20 models, respectively. Further, very good agreement was found between predicted ANN mean and RMS pressure coefficients and BLWT data.

This paper presents the experimental design and subsequent findings from a series of experiments in a large boundary layer wind tunnel to investigate the variation of surface pressures with increasing upwind terrain roughness on low-rise buildings. Geometrically scaled models of the Wind Engineering Research Field Laboratory experimental building were subjected to a wide range of turbulent boundary layer flows, through precise adjustment of a computer control terrain generator called the Terraformer. The study offers an in-depth examination of the effects of freestream turbulence on extreme pressures under the separation “bubble” for the case of the wind traveling perpendicular to wall surfaces, independently confirming previous findings that the spatial distribution of the peaks is heavily influenced by the mean reattachment length. Further, the study shows that the observed peak pressures collapse if data are normalized by the mean reattachment length and a non-Gaussian estimator for peak velocity pressure.

This paper explores the use of a cyber-physical systems (CPS) “loop-in-the-model” approach to optimally design the envelope and structural system of low-rise buildings subject to wind loads. Both the components and cladding (C&C) and the main wind force resisting system (MWFRS) are considered through multi-objective optimization. The CPS approach combines the physical accuracy of wind tunnel testing and efficiency of numerical optimization algorithms to obtain an optimal design. The approach is autonomous: experiments are executed in a boundary layer wind tunnel (BLWT), sensor feedback is monitored and analyzed by a computer, and optimization algorithms dictate physical changes to the structural model in the BLWT through actuators. To explore a CPS approach to multi-objective optimization, a low-rise building with a parapet wall of variable height is considered. In the BLWT, servo-motors are used to adjust the parapet to a particular height. Parapet walls alter the location of the roof corner vortices, reducing suction loads on the windward facing roof corners and edges, a C&C design load. At the same time, parapet walls increase the surface area of the building, leading to an increase in demand on the MWFRS. A combination of non-stochastic and stochastic optimization algorithms were implemented to minimize the magnitude of suction and positive pressures on the roof of a low-rise building model, followed by stochastic multi-objective optimization to simultaneously minimize the magnitude of suction pressures and base shear. Experiments were conducted at the University of Florida Experimental Facility (UFEF) of the National Science Foundation’s (NSF) Natural Hazard Engineering Research Infrastructure (NHERI) program.

This case study surveyed students in geography courses at the University of Idaho, investigating perceptions of geography's role in their daily lives, relevance to careers or academics, and parts of their geographic skill. Primarily, white, younger than 20, gender-balanced students in Introduction to Physical Geography and Human Geography courses comprised the study sample. A sample of 265 students formed the pre-course survey and 82 students formed the post-course survey. Pre-course, men held a more positive sense of geographic skill, while women viewed more positively geography's relevance to careers and academics. Post-course, women's agreement concerning geography's role significantly increased, outpacing men's agreement.

In the brainstem nucleus of the solitary tract (NTS), primary vagal afferent neurons express the transient receptor potential vanilloid subfamily member 1 (TRPV1) at their central terminals where it contributes to quantal forms of glutamate release. The endogenous membrane lipid anandamide (AEA) is a putative TRPV1 agonist in the brain, yet the extent to which AEA activation of TRPV1 has a neurophysiological consequence is not well established. We investigated the ability of AEA to activate TRPV1 in vagal afferent neurons in comparison to capsaicin (CAP). Using ratiometric calcium imaging and whole-cell patch clamp recordings we confirmed that AEA excitatory activity requires TRPV1, binds competitively at the CAP binding site, and has low relative affinity. While AEA-induced increases in peak cytosolic calcium were similar to CAP, AEA-induced membrane currents were significantly smaller. Removal of bath calcium increased the AEA current with no change in peak CAP currents revealing a calcium sensitive difference in specific ligand activation of TRPV1. Both CAP- and AEA-activated TRPV1 currents maintained identical reversal potentials, arguing against a major difference in ion selectivity to resolve the AEA differences in signaling. In contrast with CAP, AEA did not alter spontaneous glutamate release at NTS synapses. We conclude: (1) AEA activation of TRPV1 is markedly different from CAP and produces different magnitudes of calcium influx from whole-cell current; and (2) exogenous AEA does not alter spontaneous glutamate release onto NTS neurons. As such, AEA may convey modulatory changes to calcium-dependent processes, but does not directly facilitate glutamate release.

This paper describes a new full-scale (FS) testing apparatus for conducting performance evaluations of FS building envelope systems. The simulator can generate spatially uniform, time-varying pressure conditions associated with Saffir–Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale Category 5 winds while compensating for large air leakage through the specimen and also operate a high-speed wind tunnel, both with dynamic control. This paper presents system details, operating characteristics, and an early case study on the performance of large sectional door systems under wind pressure loading. Failure mechanisms are discussed, and finite element modeling is validated for two specimens. It demonstrates successful dynamic load control for large component and cladding systems, as well as simulation of flows near the building surface. These capabilities serve to complement other FS wind tunnel facilities by offering tools to generate ultimate load conditions on portions of the building. Further, the paper successfully demonstrates the utility of combining physical testing and computational analysis as a matter of routine, which underscores the potential of evolving FS testing to encompass cyber–physical approaches.