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This article addresses misconceptions related to what makes an unfair game fair and describes from a personal perspective the process of discovering for oneself when a particular mathematical method works. (Contains 3 figures and 2 tables.)

This article describes four hands-on activities that can be used to develop probabilistic and statistical thinking in the middle grades. (Contains 3 figures and 1 table.)

Compares the problem of social maladjustment addressed during the child guidance movement in the 1920s-30s with the issue of minority overrepresentation beginning in the 1960s. Both exhibit similarities as discourses of educational risk shaping the conception of problems facing youth and influencing professional intervention. The paper examines contrast in the directional fate of each. (Contains references.) (SM)

Examines three cases in which changed political or other circumstances caused the Cooperative Extension Service to change its way of providing local leaders with accountability information. Suggests the establishment of ongoing accountability systems to ensure organizational protection when political or other situational changes occur. (Author/JOW)

Examines the use of concise success stories to communicate program effects to identified audiences who need accountability information from the North Carolina Extension System. Describes the web-based reporting system and provides examples of success stories. (JOW)

A fax satellite center is used in North Carolina to deliver extension information to farmers. The system is used to respond to requests and to disseminate information on a timely basis. (JOW)

A questionnaire completed by 48 beef producers and 40 county government personnel in North Carolina found that beef producers depended significantly more on extension education and information. Preferred delivery methods and information sources were also different for the two groups.(JOW)

Patients with multiple myeloma (MM) were among the groups impacted more severely by the COVID-19 pandemic, with higher rates of severe disease and COVID-19-related mortality. MM and COVID-19, plus post-acute sequelae of SARS-CoV-2 infection, are associated with endothelial dysfunction and injury, with overlapping inflammatory pathways and coagulopathies. Existing treatment options for MM, notably high-dose therapy with autologous stem cell transplantation and novel chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cell therapies and bispecific T-cell engaging antibodies, are also associated with endothelial cell injury and mechanism-related toxicities. These pathologies include cytokine release syndrome (CRS) and neurotoxicity that may be exacerbated by underlying endotheliopathies. In the context of these overlapping risks, prophylaxis and treatment approaches mitigating the inflammatory and pro-coagulant effects of endothelial injury are important considerations for patient management, including cytokine receptor antagonists, thromboprophylaxis with low-molecular-weight heparin and direct oral anticoagulants, and direct endothelial protection with defibrotide in the appropriate clinical settings. • Multiple myeloma (MM)/coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) are associated with underlying endotheliopathies. • COVID-19/post-acute sequelae of SARS-CoV-2 infection (PASC) remain a significant cause of morbidity and mortality in MM. • CRS and ICANS are key toxicities of novel immune effector cell therapies for MM. • These and other toxicities are underpinned by endothelial injury. • Endothelial protection may help suppress inflammatory and pro-coagulant effects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BackgroundEvidence indicating an association between cigarette smoke exposure and an increase in breast cancer risk highlights the need for health messages that aim to prevent smoking initiation and reduce secondhand smoke (SHS) exposure among adolescent girls. ObjectiveThis study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of targeted gender-sensitive, breast cancer-specific, Web-based messages about the increased risk of breast cancer associated with cigarette smoke exposure. Outcomes assessed 6 months postmessage delivery included nonsmoking adolescent girls’ knowledge of the link between cigarette smoke exposure and breast cancer, perceptions of breast cancer risk associated with cigarette smoke, smoking behavior and intentions, and stage of change related to avoidance of secondhand smoke. MethodsA prospective randomized controlled trial was used to compare standard (control) messages with targeted gender- and Aboriginal status-sensitive, breast cancer-specific (intervention) messages. Messages were delivered online to 618 nonsmoking girls, aged 13 to 15 years, clustered in 74 Canadian secondary schools. ResultsCompared with the control group, girls in the intervention group were significantly more likely to report that breast cancer is an illness caused by cigarette smoke (adjusted relative risk [ARR] 1.33, 95% CI 1.05-1.68) and to agree that exposure to SHS increases their risk of breast cancer (ARR 1.10, 95% CI 1.02-1.20). No significant effects were observed for a change in smoking status, intention to try smoking, or stage of change related to avoidance of SHS. ConclusionsCompared with standard messages, targeted gender-sensitive, breast cancer-specific messages had a stronger influence on girls’ knowledge and perceived risk of cigarette smoke exposure as a risk factor for breast cancer. Brief information-based interventions delivered over the Internet have the potential to provide effective health promotion that could be broadly disseminated and lead to long-term effects on girls’ knowledge and risk perceptions about cigarette exposure and breast cancer.

The article presents the discussion on beneficial leisure-based learning tactic and animal-assisted interventions. Topics include specific skills or training interacting with a human being with the intention of promoting or improving social, emotional, physical and/or mental function; and CARP being socially emotionally, physically and academically beneficial for children with and without disabilities.

BACKGROUND In patients with newly diagnosed multiple myeloma, the effect of adding autologrous, stem-cell transplantation (ASCT) to triplet therapy (lenalidomide, bortezomib and dexamethasone [RVD]), followed by lenalidomide maintenance therapy until disease progression, is unknown. METHODS In this phase 3 trial, adults (18 to 65 years of age) with symptomatic myeloma received one cycle of RVD. We randomly assigned these patients, in a 1:1 ratio, to receive two additional RVD cycles plus stem-cell mobilization, followed by either five additional RVD cycles (the RVD-alone group) or high-dose melphalan plus ASCT by two additional RVD cycles (the transplantation group). Both groups received lenalidomide until disease progression, unacceptable side effects, or both. The primary end point was progression-free survival. RESULTS Among 357 patients in the RVD-alone group and 365 in the transplantation group, at a median follow-up of 76.0 months, 328 events of disease progression or death occurred; the risk was 53% higher in the RVD-alone group than in the (hazard ratio, 1.53; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.23 to 1.91; P<0.001); median progression-free survival was 46.2 months and 6Z5 months. The percent- age ofpatients with a partial response or better was 95.0% in the RVD-alone group and 9Z5°6 in the transplantation group (P=0.55); 42.0% and 46.8°/0, respectively,had a complete response or better (P= 0.99). Treatment-related adverse events of grade 3 or higher occurred in 78.2% and 94.290, respectively; 5-year survival was 79.2% and 80.790 (hazard ratio for death, 1.10; 95% CI, 0.73 to 1.65). CONCLUSIONS Among adults with multiple myeloma, RVD plus ASCT was associated with longer progression-free survival than RVD alone. No overall survival benefit was observed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BackgroundRecent evidence indicates a causal link between both active smoking and secondhand smoke (SHS) exposure and breast cancer (BC). ObjectiveThe objective of the present study was to evaluate the initial reactions of girls and boys to tailored Web-based messages that describe the relationship between SHS and BC, using a parallel, single-blinded cluster randomized controlled trial. MethodsThis trial was nested within a cycle of an ongoing longitudinal study of 1498 students from 74 secondary schools. Self-reported assessments were used to evaluate the impact of study messages on participants’ risk perception and interest in obtaining additional information after participants were randomized by schools to control or intervention groups. The intervention group received a tailored visual message (based on gender and Aboriginal status) about BC and tobacco smoke. The control group received a standard visual message about smoking and cancer. ResultsSHS exposure was identified as a BC risk factor by 380/1488 (25.54%) participants, during the preintervention analysis. Compared to the female participants in the control group (491/839, 58.5%), girls who received the intervention (339/649, 52.2%) were 14% more likely to agree that exposure to SHS increased their BC risk (relative risk [RR] 1.14, 95% CI 1.07-1.21). Nonsmoking girls who received the intervention were 14% more likely to agree that starting smoking would increase their BC risk (RR 1.14, 95% CI 1.07-1.21). Compared to the male participants in control group (348/839, 41.5%), boys who received the intervention (310/649, 47.8%) were 10% more likely to agree that girls’ exposure to SHS increased their BC risk (RR 1.10, 95% CI 1.02-1.18). Compared to controls, girls who received the intervention were 52% more likely to request additional information about SHS and BC (RR 1.52, 95% CI 1.12-2.06). ConclusionsBrief gender-sensitive messages delivered via the Internet have the potential to increase awareness and to stimulate information seeking about the risk for BC associated with SHS.