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Multiple myeloma is a bone marrow-based plasma cell tumour that develops from asymptomatic pre-cursor conditions smouldering myeloma and monoclonal gammopathy of uncertain significance and all are characterised by the presence of a monoclonal protein in the blood. Diagnosis and distinction between these conditions is based on blood tests, the bone marrow biopsy and cross sectional imaging. There are various risk stratification models that group patients with smouldering myeloma into risk groups based on risk of progression to symptomatic disease. Management is mainly observational for patients with smouldering myeloma although clinical trials for high-risk disease may be available. Restaging is required if evidence for progression., (© 2024 British Society for Haematology and John Wiley & Sons Ltd.)

Annual bluegrass (Poa annua) is a problematic weed in turfgrass systems due to its adaptability and high seed production. Turf managers use non-chemical control practices, but these are often ineffective. Herbicides and plant growth regulators are commonly used to remove annual bluegrass, but this can lead to herbicide resistance. A collection of 21 papers published in Crop, Forage, & Turfgrass Management covers various topics related to annual bluegrass, including seed biology, the use of plant growth regulators, herbicide efficacy, and resistance surveys. These papers provide valuable insights for improving weed management strategies. [Extracted from the article]

The expanded scope of the Medicaid program has accomplished a great deal in bolstering substance use treatment, but further progress will depend on correcting deficiencies in non‐expansion states and within Medicaid managed care entities, a newly published commentary suggests. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Last week, ADAW featured a published paper recommending that higher doses of buprenorphine be used in the era of fentanyl (see "ASAM recommends higher doses if needed for treatment with buprenorphine," ADAW, Jan. 7, 2024, https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1002/adaw.33984). The American Society of Addiction Medicine (ASAM) did not have time to get back to us by deadline but did respond to our questions for this week's issue. Below are our questions, in italics, followed by their responses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article from the Nonprofit Communications Report emphasizes the importance of setting up out-of-office messages when leaving the office for an extended period of time. It suggests designating a co-worker to handle important inquiries, creating detailed email and voicemail messages with contact information, and providing copies of relevant documents or projects to colleagues. The article also recommends informing administrative staff of the absence to ensure proper handling of calls, mail, and deliveries. Following these steps can help maintain effective communication while away from the office. [Extracted from the article]

Precision agriculture tools like decision support systems increasingly use machine‐learning algorithms and other types of artificial intelligence (AI) to analyze large quantities of agricultural data and provide recommendations to producers and crop advisers. However, several barriers threaten adoption of these tools. Three papers in the recent Agronomy Journal special section, "Machine Learning in Agriculture," explore this phenomenon and offer solutions and opportunities for building trust in these technologies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses the impact of climate change on agricultural systems and the need for adaptation and mitigation strategies. The American Society of Agronomy, Crop Science Society of America, and Soil Science Society of America have published a virtual issue that covers various topics related to climate change and agriculture. The issue includes commissioned articles and volunteered papers that address the changing climate, genetic and agronomic responses of crops to climate-related stresses, soil and water management, and crop modeling. The virtual issue aims to provide information to a wide audience and is the beginning of an ongoing effort to capture the science on critical issues and promote collaboration in the field. [Extracted from the article]

A paper published in the Vadose Zone Journal argues that the application of hydropedology, which combines soil pedology and soil physics and hydrology, is more effective than contributing separate disciplinary expertises to the analysis of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The paper suggests that recent developments in soil mapping and scanning techniques can provide rapid and relatively cheap hydropedology data to interdisciplinary programs with an SDG focus. The paper also highlights the success of linking hydropedology with the SDG conversation in South Africa, where hydropedology maps are now required for land use planning. Overall, the paper concludes that linking hydropedology with the SDGs will contribute to their success. [Extracted from the article]

The article focuses on the special section of the "adose Zone Journal" dedicated to Martinus "Rien" van Genuchten, highlighting his groundbreaking contributions to soil science. Topics include advancements in HYDRUS software for simulating subsurface flow, new mechanistic models for root water uptake, and research on preferential flow and its impact on groundwater contamination.

Being a reviewer for a journal as an early career professional can have several benefits. Firstly, it allows you to stay updated on the latest research areas, methodologies, and developments in your field of interest, helping you become an expert in that specific field. Secondly, reviewing for journals puts you in contact with established researchers and editors, leading to networking opportunities, collaborations, and recognition within your academic community. Thirdly, reviewing manuscripts helps enhance your ability to critically evaluate research papers and improve your analytical and writing skills. Additionally, serving as a reviewer can enhance your CV or resume, open doors for future opportunities, and provide insights into the peer review process. It also offers a chance for professional development and mentoring opportunities. However, it is important to remember that being a reviewer requires commitment, responsibility, and ethical conduct. [Extracted from the article]

Nonnative, invasive ants, and especially the red imported fire ant, Solenopsis invicta, are a widespread threat to ground‐nesting wildlife. In this paper I describe a method of controlling fire ants using hot water. The hot water approach was applied to reduce fire ant impacts on sea turtles and ground‐nesting songbirds and to demonstrate its utility in protection of different ground‐nesting species in different habitats. Fire ant controls using hot water provided 90% or greater control, significantly improving survival of both turtle and bird hatchlings, without the use of pesticides. The success of the method and the availability of necessary equipment shows that hot water control of fire ant populations should be considered as a tool for wildlife affected by fire ants and is useful for a wide variety of scenarios where fire ant controls are desirable or necessary. The method does require that 1) wildlife nest locations are known and that 2) nearby fire ant colonies can be found and treated with hot water. The method can be used as a complement to broadcast or bait‐station baiting strategies or as a stand‐alone method for managing fire ants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Kimberly-Clark Corp. is a leading manufacturer of personal care products, such as paper towels, toilet paper, diapers, and feminine hygiene products. The company reported sales of $20.4 billion in 2023 and employs around 41,000 workers. Kimberly-Clark conducts its philanthropy mainly through the Kimberly-Clark Foundation, which focuses on increasing access to sanitation, helping children thrive, and empowering women and girls worldwide. The foundation supports various groups and causes through financial contributions, product donations, and employee volunteer support. The company has identified three strategic focus areas aligned with United Nations Sustainable Development Goals: caring for the health and well-being of people, challenging stigmas and championing the progress of women, and championing access to clean water, sanitation, and hygiene. They have specific programs and initiatives in each of these areas, including partnerships with organizations like the National Diaper Bank Network, Plan International, and WaterAid. Additionally, Kimberly-Clark supports the United Way, has a volunteer program, a matching gifts program, a scholarship program for employees' children, and contributes to disaster relief efforts through the American Red Cross. [Extracted from the article]

The article announces the upcoming publication of a special section in The Plant Genome that aims to honor the late Dr. Ronald Phillips. Dr. Phillips was a highly respected scientist and mentor in the fields of plant genetics, breeding, and biotechnology. The special section will feature research from authors who collaborated with Dr. Phillips or were influenced by his contributions. The editors are seeking submissions on various topics related to crop genetics, genomics, and biotechnology. The call for submissions opens on January 30, 2024, and papers should be submitted by August 30, 2024. [Extracted from the article]

This article provides advice for graduate students on how to write and publish scientific articles. It emphasizes the importance of a concise and impactful title, suggesting that shorter titles with a focus on conclusions are more effective. The article also discusses the structure of an abstract, recommending an hourglass approach that starts with a general background, includes objectives, methods, and results, and ends with broad conclusions. Additionally, the article highlights the significance of well-designed figures and tables in presenting data effectively. It also offers guidance on conducting literature reviews and managing citations. The article concludes with general tips for graduate students, such as starting early, seeking feedback, and developing a routine for writing. [Extracted from the article]

Agricultural soils are large sources of greenhouse gas emissions, particularly the potent nitrous oxide (N2O). While N2O emissions can be predicted by traditional biogeochemical models, these forecasts contain a lot of uncertainty. New efforts, including research (https://doi.org/10.1002/agj2.21185) published in the recent Agronomy Journal special section "Machine Learning in Agriculture," use machine learning to improve N2O flux predictions and guide management interventions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Artificial intelligence is infiltrating every sector of college life, from admissions papers to now, research on how virtual reality simulations can improve campus safety. Emergency Management Science and Technology published a paper titled "Experimental Research on College Students' Emergency Ability and Its Influencing Factors in Virtual Emergency Situations" that examines how AI technology, such as virtual reality simulations, can improve understanding of students' ability to respond to emergency situations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Here's a silly — but fun — icebreaker: Give everyone a sheet of paper and have them write their name at the top. Have them pass the paper to the person on their left, who then draws one of the person's facial features (eye, nose, ear, etc.) and writes a compliment about the person on the back. Continue doing this until the paper reaches the original person. You'll get some "interesting" artwork, but it's fun, and your volunteers will appreciate the compliments. [Extracted from the article]

As Scott E. Hadland, M.D., senior author of a dramatic paper published last week in the New England Journal of Medicine puts it, drug use among adolescents is not getting more common — it's at its lowest in almost 50 years. But it's getting more deadly, due to fentanyl. In "The Overdose Crisis among U.S. Adolescents," by Hadland and lead author Joseph Friedman, Ph.D., the problem is laid out clearly: After guns and car crashes, overdose (OD) deaths are now the third leading cause of death among adolescents. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Defense Department's Office of Naval Research is seeking applications for the Enabling Technologies for Electronic Warfare and Surveillance announcement. The announcement is looking for innovative solutions to overcome technical challenges in a contested and congested operational environment, as well as degraded naval intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance capabilities. The deadline for white papers is September 26, 2024, and proposals must be submitted by December 20, 2024. The funds available for this opportunity are yet to be determined, and eligibility will vary by technical area. The announcement specifies that concepts should address the development of low C‐SWAP processing algorithms in areas such as adaptive and scalable algorithms, real-time signal processing algorithms, and algorithms with a high degree of electronic protection. More information can be found on the grants.gov website with the FON# N0001424SBC10. [Extracted from the article]

The American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry's (AACAP's) Program Committee has issued a Call for Papers for submission of abstracts of original investigations for consideration in the 2024 Annual Meeting of AACAP, October 14‐19, in Seattle. AACAP is planning for an in‐person meeting in Seattle and as such, will require all presenters to be in‐person in Seattle for their presentation. The Call for Papers deadline is Feb. 15, 2024 (11:59 p.m. EST). For more information, visit https://aacap.confex.com/aacap/2024/cfp.cgi. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Energy Department's Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy is accepting applications for the Offshore Wind National and Regional Research and Development program. The deadline for concept papers is September 4, 2024, and proposals must be submitted by November 7, 2024. A total of $48.6 million is available for up to 21 awards, ranging from $200,000 to $5 million. The funding aims to drive innovation in clean energy technologies, support the deployment of offshore wind, address environmental concerns such as bird and bat presence, and promote the development of technical leadership in the industry. For more information, visit www.grants.gov. [Extracted from the article]

The Commerce Department's National Institute of Standards and Technology is accepting applications for the FY24 Manufacturing USA Institute—AI for Resilient Manufacturing. The institute aims to use Artificial Intelligence (AI) to enhance the resilience of U.S. manufacturers. The deadline for concept papers is September 30, 2024, and invited proposals must be submitted by January 23, 2025. The program offers a total of $14 million per year, with a maximum project period of five years. Eligible applicants include colleges and universities, for-profit organizations (including small businesses), nonprofit organizations, and state, local, territorial, and Native American tribal governments. The program focuses on improving the competitiveness of U.S. manufacturing, promoting leadership in advanced manufacturing research and innovation, and facilitating the adoption of innovative technologies in manufacturing. [Extracted from the article]

Here's a fun way to get volunteers involved and interacting with each other and your staff:Label a bulletin board "My Favorite Vacation." Provide half‐sheets of colored paper with a simple preprinted message and space for volunteers to finish the sentences, such as: "My funniest childhood vacation memory is..." or, "Our family's favorite vacation spot is...," or "The best one‐day getaway in our area is a trip to...." Encourage volunteers to post photos along with their words.Be sure to share your own vacation memories to get the ball rolling! [Extracted from the article]

Substituting this colorful root vegetable for flour in bread or white‐fleshed sweet potatoes in daily cooking can tackle the prevalent vitamin A deficiency in the African country and throughout sub‐Saharan Africa. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Defense Department's Office of Naval Research is accepting applications for the Defense Multidisciplinary University Research Initiative (MURI). This initiative aims to support high-risk basic research that explores new frontiers. The deadline for white papers is May 25, 2024, and proposals must be submitted by September 6, 2024. A total of $200 million is available for up to 25 awards, with each award amounting to a maximum of $7.5 million. Eligible applicants include colleges and universities. The MURI topics include novel transport properties in superatom-based materials, Moiré-engineered oxide bicrystals, energy and information processing in biological organisms, and understanding the evolution of structural material synthesis across species. More information can be found at www.grants.gov, with the FON# N0001424SF002. [Extracted from the article]

The Energy Department's Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy is accepting applications for the Solar Technologies' Rapid Integration and Validation for Energy Systems (STRIVES) program. The program aims to improve power systems simulation software tools and demonstrate new business models for distribution systems operations. It seeks to integrate and optimize the value of inverter-based resources (IBRs) and distributed energy resources, including solar and wind generation, energy storage, buildings, and electric vehicles. The deadline for concept papers is July 25, 2024, and applications must be submitted by October 17, 2024. A total of $31 million is available for up to 15 awards ranging from $1 million to $3 million. The program is open to all applicants. The areas of focus include robust experimentation and advanced learning for distribution system operators and improved simulation tools for large-scale IBR transient and dynamic studies. More information can be found on the grants.gov website with the FON# DE-FOA-0003331. [Extracted from the article]

The Commerce Department's National Institute of Standards and Technology is accepting applications for the FY24 CHIPS Manufacturing USA Institute Competition. The competition aims to establish and operate a CHIPS Manufacturing USA Institute focused on digital twins with integrated physical assets and computational capabilities. The deadline for concept papers is June 20, 2024, and invited proposals are due on September 9, 2024. The Institute will receive approximately $285 million for a project period of up to five years. Eligible applicants include colleges and universities, for-profit organizations, nonprofit organizations, and state, local, and Native American tribal governments. The Institute will join a network of 17 existing Institutes that aim to enhance U.S. manufacturing competitiveness and promote research and development. The priorities for the Institute include addressing challenges in advanced manufacturing, supporting domestic industrial production, reducing the cost and time of commercializing new technologies, and improving education and workforce development. More information can be found on the grants.gov website with the FON# 2024-NIST-CHIPS-MFGUSA-01. [Extracted from the article]

Get creative to encourage staff giving.For example, give every employee who pledges a minimum gift to your workplace campaign a chance to pop a balloon filled with a slip of paper identifying one of several donated prizes (e.g., a free day off, event tickets, restaurant gift certificates, movie passes, or a preferred parking space for a month). [Extracted from the article]

Can bird‐watching improve mental health? A new study has found that people who have nature‐based experiences report better well‐being and lower psychological distress than those who do not, a North Carolina State University news release stated. Bird‐watching in particular yielded promising results, with higher gains in subjective well‐being and more reduction in distress than more generic nature exposure, such as walks. Because bird‐watching is an easily accessible activity, the results are encouraging for college students, who are among those most likely to suffer from mental health problems, the news release indicated. "Bird‐watching is among the most ubiquitous ways that human beings interact with wildlife globally, and college campuses provide a pocket where there's access to that activity even in more urban setting, said Nils Peterson, corresponding author of the study and a professor of forestry and environmental resources at North Carolina State University. The paper, "Birdwatching linked to increased psychological well‐being on college campuses: A pilot‐scale experimental study," was published in Environmental Psychology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Energy Department's Golden Field Office is offering grants through the WASTE: Waste Analysis and Strategies for Transportation End-Uses program. The grants aim to assist communities in developing resource and energy recovery strategies for their organic waste streams. The deadline for concept papers is June 19, 2024, and proposals must be submitted by August 14, 2024. Nonprofit organizations, state and local governments, special districts, and Native American tribal governments are eligible to apply. The program has a total funding of $17.5 million, with awards ranging from $750,000 to $2 million. The grants are divided into two topic areas, with Topic Area 1 focusing on feasibility or scoping analysis, and Topic Area 2 targeting communities that have completed feasibility analysis and need funding for project refinement. More information can be found on the grants.gov website with the FON# DE-FOA-0003072. [Extracted from the article]

The article discusses the practical use of artificial intelligence (AI) in estate planning and major gift solicitation strategies. According to Paul Caspersen, vice president of Charitable Solutions, AI can revolutionize how development officers engage with donors and manage major gifts. AI can assist in drafting estate planning documents with the guidance of an attorney, expedite the drafting process for major gift concept papers and proposals, and streamline donor outreach through tools like ChatGPT. Planned Giving Interactive is developing an advanced bot that uses generative AI to educate donors and connect them with nonprofit staff, enhancing lead generation for planned and major gifts. [Extracted from the article]