Dual neuromodulatory dynamics underlie birdsong learning.

Although learning in response to extrinsic reinforcement is theorized to be driven by dopamine signals that encode the difference between expected and experienced rewards, skills that enable verbal or musical expression can be learned without extrinsic reinforcement. Instead, spontaneous execution of these skills is thought to be intrinsically reinforcing. Whether dopamine signals similarly guide learning of these intrinsically reinforced behaviours is unknown.

Evaluation of physical function and quality of life before and after nonradical surgical therapy for stage IA1 and IA2-IB1 cervical cancer (GOG-0278).

Objective: To examine patient outcomes before and after cone biopsy (CB) or simple hysterectomy (SH) and pelvic lymph node dissection (PLND) for bladder, bowel, and sexual function, quality of life (QOL), cancer worry, reproductive concerns, and lymphedema.

Methods: We stratified women with stage IA1 (lymphovascular space invasion-positive) and IA2-IB1 (≤2 cm) cervical carcinoma by fertility preservation (CB) or none (SH) with PLND. All patients completed study questionnaires at baseline (preoperatively) and postoperatively at 4-6 weeks and 6-, 12-, 18-, and 24-months, consisting of: Functional Assessment Cancer Therapy - Cervical Cancer (FACT-Cx); Female Sexual Functioning Index (FSFI), and 2 Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS) items; Gynecologic Cancer Lymphedema Questionnaire (GCLQ); Impact of Events Scale (IES); and Reproductive Concerns Scale (RCS).

Evaluation of efficacy and fertility after nonradical surgical therapy (extra fascial hysterectomy or cone biopsy, with pelvic lymphadenectomy) for stage IA1, IA2, and IB1 cervical cancer (GOG-0278).

Objective: To estimate the efficacy and perioperative morbidity of nonradical surgery (simple hysterectomy [SH] or cone biopsy [CB] plus pelvic lymphadenectomy [PLND] and to report pregnancy outcomes after CB.

Methods: Prospective international study with 3-year follow-up of patients with stage IA1 (lymphovascular space invasion-positive) to IB1 (≤2 cm) cervical cancer stratified by fertility preservation (CB) or none (SH) (both with PLND). Criteria included ≤10 mm stromal invasion and negative margins on loop electrosurgical excision procedure or CB.

Multi-ancestral genome-wide association study of clinically defined nicotine dependence reveals strong genetic correlations with other substance use disorders and health-related traits.

Genetic research on nicotine dependence has utilized multiple assessments that are in weak agreement. We conducted a genome-wide association study of nicotine dependence defined using the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-NicDep) in 61,861 individuals (47,884 of European ancestry, 10,231 of African ancestry, 3,746 of East Asian ancestry) and compared the results to other nicotine-related phenotypes. We replicated the well-known association at the locus (lead SNP: rs147144681, p =1.

Validation of proximity loggers to record proximity events among beef bulls.

Social behavior in cattle can be measured by how often and for how long they interact with each other. This information can be used to guide management decisions, identify sick animals, or model the spread of diseases. However, visual observation of proximity events is time-demanding and challenging, especially for rangeland cattle spread over a large area.