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Another favorite practice of Byrd's is making Prayer Circles, a form of meditation for Byrd and a way of honoring and connecting with Mother Earth and the Ancestors. Editor's Note: Circle Facilitators, Jackie Parker and Frank Phoenix have been hosting a group of young men, in collaboration with Kosmos, for an ongoing dialogue on the theme, Sacred Masculinity. We have been drawn to council because of its roots in these cultures, and the magic and healing that non-hierarchical circle communication can bring when practiced devoutly. Prayer Circles Frank Phoenix, called Byrd by his friends, has experienced countless circles. [Extracted from the article]

Climate change and competition from invasive species remain two important challenges in restoration. We examined the hypothesis that non‐native tamarisk (Tamarix spp.) reestablishment after aboveground removal is affected by genetics‐based architecture of native Fremont cottonwood (Populus fremontii) used in restoration. As cottonwood architecture (height, canopy width, number of stems, and trunk diameter) is, in part, determined by genetics, we predicted that trees from different provenances would exhibit different architecture, and mean annual maximum temperature transfer distance from the provenances would interact with the architecture to affect tamarisk. In a common garden in Chevelon, AZ, U.S.A. (elevation 1,496 m), with cottonwoods from provenances spanning its elevation distribution, we measured the performance of both cottonwoods and tamarisk. Several key findings emerged. On average, cottonwoods from higher elevations were (1) two times taller and wider, covered approximately 3.5 times more basal area, and were less shrubby in appearance, by exhibiting four times fewer number of stems than cottonwoods from lower elevations; (2) had 50% fewer tamarisk growing underneath, which were two times shorter and covered 6.5 times less basal area than tamarisk growing underneath cottonwoods of smaller stature; and (3) the number of cottonwood stems did not affect tamarisk growth, possibly because the negative relationship between cottonwood stems and basal area. In combination, these findings argue that cottonwood architecture is affected by local conditions that interact with genetics‐based architecture. These interactions can negatively affect the growth of reinvading tamarisk and enhance restoration success. Our study emphasizes the importance of incorporating genetic and environmental interactions of plants used in restoration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses the form of storytelling known as transmedia. According to Henry Jenkins, professor of communication arts at the University of Southern California, transmedia is a process where integral elements of a fiction get systematically dispersed across many delivery channels for the purpose of creating a unified and coordinated entertainment experience. The author notes that one of the earliest and most successful examples of transmedia is "The Blair Witch Project" in which the producers created a website containing things such as police reports and interviews with the students' parents.

The article discusses the Children's and Young Adult Bloggers' Literary Awards, or the Cybils, which recognize well written literature with appeal to the young adult demographic. The Cybils were started in 2006 by children's literature bloggers Kelly Herold and Anne Levy. The awards use engagement and discussion with the online community, user-submitted nominations, and judging by diverse panels. The author also discusses the literary value of a list with user-generated nominations, the two round judging system which is designed to involve as many people as possible, and publisher support for the awards.

Herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) mutants lacking the γ(1)34.5 neurovirulence loci are promising agents for treating malignant glioma. Arming oncolytic HSV-1 to express immunostimulatory genes may potentiate therapeutic efficacy. We have previously demonstrated improved preclinical efficacy, biodistribution, and safety of M002, a γ(1)34.5-deleted HSV-1 engineered to express murine IL-12. Herein, we describe the safety and biodistribution of M032, a γ(1)34.5-deleted HSV-1 virus that expresses human IL-12 after intracerebral administration to nonhuman primates, Aotus nancymae. Cohorts were administered vehicle, 10(6), or 10(8) pfu of M032 on day 1 and subjected to detailed clinical observations performed serially over a 92-day trial. Animals were sacrificed on days 3, 31, and 91 for detailed histopathologic assessments of all organs and to isolate and quantify virus in all organs. With the possible exception of one animal euthanized on day 16, neither adverse clinical signs nor sex- or dose-related differences were attributed to M032. Elevated white blood cell and neutrophil counts were observed in virus-injected groups on day 3, but no other significant changes were noted in clinical chemistry or coagulation parameters. Minimal to mild inflammation and fibrosis detected, primarily in meningeal tissues, in M032-injected animals on days 3 and 31 had mostly resolved by day 91. The highest viral DNA levels were detected at the injection site and motor cortex on day 3 but decreased in central nervous system tissues over time. These data demonstrate the requisite safety of intracerebral M032 administration for consideration as a therapeutic for treating malignant brain tumors.