The Extinction of Chiloguembelina cubensis in the Pacific Ocean: Implications for Defining the Base of the Chattian (upper Oligocene)

We conducted quantitative biostratigraphic and morphometric studies at two ocean drilling sites in the Pacific Ocean to investigate the extinction of the planktonic foraminifera genus Chiloguembelina, a distinctive biserial genus ranging in the Eocene and Oligocene. The extinction of the last species of the genus, C. cubensis, has historically been used as a correlation event for the base of the Chattian (upper Oligocene; ∼ 28 Ma). However, the bioevent has been controversial, as some authors have found a well-defined bio - horizon, while others have found a decline in abundance with a continuation of C. cubensis into the upper Oligocene. This has been reflected in the preference of using the Top Common occurrence (>5% of the foraminiferal assemblage) of the species as a correlation event for the boundary. We assessed the utility of C. cubensis as a reliable biohorizon at Ocean Drilling Program Leg 202 Site 1237 (south-east Pacific Ocean) and Integrated Ocean Drilling Program Expedition 320/321 Site U1334 (eastern equatorial Pacific Ocean). At both sites C. cubensis is a common and consistent component of early Oligocene planktonic foraminiferal assemblages. An abrupt termination of C. cubensis occurs at Site 1237 in magnetic polarity Subchron C10n.1n (27.89 Ma), while at Site U1334 peak abundances of C. cubensis are recorded in the upper Oligocene within Chron 9n with a younger datum for the extinction at ∼ 27.15 Ma. Therefore, the biostratigraphic utility of the species as a boundary marker for the base of the Chattian remains unclear. We propose that the phrase “C. cubensis crisis” is the most suitable for describing the extinction or decline in abundance of the species in the mid Oligocene, based upon the findings from these two sites and other age calibrated sites. Morphometric analysis of specimen size at the two sites shows a markedly smaller test size at Site 1237 compared with Site U1334, with specimens from the former being on average 1.37 × shorter and 1.45 × thinner. Differences in test size and extinction horizon are possibly controlled by ecological preferences, however, our biochronological compilation of ocean drilling sites does not reveal a latitudinal trend in extinction level

Development and Validation of a Novel Decision Aid for WALANT Hand Surgeries: Investigating Patient Preferences

INTRODUCTION: This study aims to develop a novel decision aid packet (DAP) for hand surgery patients deciding between Wide-Awake-Local-Anesthesia-No-Tourniquet (WALANT) and traditional anesthesia. METHODS: Development: The DAP was developed following International Patient Decision Aid Standards. Validation: Alpha Testing Seven hand surgeons experienced in WALANT and traditional surgeries belonging to the WALANT Research Consortium in the U.S. commented on the DAP through three rounds of editing utilizing the Delphi method. Seven patient advocates provided readability feedback. Beta Testing Orthopedic hand surgery patients were assigned to the control or experimental group. The experimental group was given the DAP pre-surgery. Both groups completed a validated regret scale at follow-up. A paired t-test was conducted to analyze the difference between average scores on the regret scale and pre- and post-DAP knowledge tests (p RESULTS: The experimental group (n=58) demonstrated a 145% increase (p DISCUSSION: Increased knowledge test scores following the DAP suggest that patients are better informed after DAP usage. Low decisional conflict scores suggest that the DAP increases patients’ confidence. Lower average regret scale scores among the experimental group indicate a relationship between DAP administration and reduced post-surgical regret. The greater patient preference for WALANT following DAP usage, alongside the lower postoperative regret, elucidates a general preference in informed patients towards the WALANT modality

“It’s Like the Elephant in the Room” A Qualitative Analysis of Racism in a U.S. High School

Identifying and addressing systemic racial oppression in the education system is a key component in confronting pervasive health and economic disparities for Black students. In this qualitative study, we conducted secondary analysis of existing data. Transcripts of interviews and focus group discussions belonged to 21 Black students in a charter school in Michigan in the year 2013. Open access data were downloaded from University of Michigan’s Inter-university Consortium for Political and Social Research (ICPSR) database in 2022. We used an inductive analytic approach to analyze the qualitative data for constructs related to experiences of structural racism. Three constructs that characterized students’ experiences of structural racism in the U.S. education system were found: (a) Lack of Color-conscious Curriculum; (b) Selective Cultural Erasure; and (c) The Demonstration of Racialized Power. For researchers, these data highlight a need for more studies on the effects of structural racism in the U.S. education system on educational, economic, and health outcomes. For administrative and policy makers, the results emphasize the need for educational initiatives that address deeply-rooted structural inequalities in the U.S. education system. This may include adoption of color-conscious curriculum and culturally responsive pedagogy, the utilization of restorative justice practices, and reparations for Black Americans

Direct measurement of piston friction of internal-combustion engines using the floating-liner principle

Piston–cylinder interactions account for a significant portion of frictional losses in an internal-combustion engine. This is mainly as the result of significant changes in the operating conditions (the load, the speed and the temperature) as well as the contact geometry and the encountered topography during a typical engine cycle. These changes alter the regime of lubrication which underlies the mechanisms of friction generation. The multi-variate interactive nature of the problem requires quite complex analyses which do not fully replicate the actual in-situ conditions. Therefore, there is a need for direct measurement of cyclic friction under controlled conditions. The paper describes the use of a novel floating-liner arrangement which is capable of direct measurement of friction, its transitory mechanisms, as well as determination of the regime of lubrication

P2X receptors (version 2019.4) in the IUPHAR/BPS Guide to Pharmacology Database

P2X receptors (nomenclature as agreed by the NC-IUPHAR Subcommittee on P2X Receptors [46, 134]) have a trimeric topology [118, 132, 177] with two putative TM domains, gating primarily Na+, K+ and Ca2+, exceptionally Cl-. The Nomenclature Subcommittee has recommended that for P2X receptors, structural criteria should be the initial criteria for nomenclature where possible. X-ray crystallography indicates that functional P2X receptors are trimeric and three agonist molecules are required to bind to a single receptor in order to activate it [132, 88, 96, 161]. Native receptors may occur as either homotrimers (e.g. P2X1 in smooth muscle) or heterotrimers (e.g. P2X2:P2X3 in the nodose ganglion [251], P2X1:P2X5 in mouse cortical astrocytes [146], and P2X2:P2X5 in mouse dorsal root ganglion, spinal cord and mid pons [50, 207]. P2X2, P2X4 and P2X7 receptors have been shown to form functional homopolymers which, in turn, activate pores permeable to low molecular weight solutes [229]. The hemi-channel pannexin-1 has been implicated in the pore formation induced by P2X7 [188], but not P2X2 [38], receptor activation

People of the British Isles: preliminary analysis of genotypes and surnames in a UK control population

There is a great deal of interest in fine scale population structure in the UK, both as a signature of historical immigration events and because of the effect population structure may have on disease association studies. Although population structure appears to have a minor impact on the current generation of genome-wide association studies, it is likely to play a significant part in the next generation of studies designed to search for rare variants. A powerful way of detecting such structure is to control and document carefully the provenance of the samples involved. Here we describe the collection of a cohort of rural UK samples (The People of the British Isles), aimed at providing a well-characterised UK control population that can be used as a resource by the research community as well as providing fine scale genetic information on the British population. So far, some 4,000 samples have been collected, the majority of which fit the criteria of coming from a rural area and having all four grandparents from approximately the same area. Analysis of the first 3,865 samples that have been geocoded indicates that 75% have a mean distance between grandparental places of birth of 37.3km, and that about 70% of grandparental places of birth can be classed as rural. Preliminary genotyping of 1,057 samples demonstrates the value of these samples for investigating fine scale population structure within the UK, and shows how this can be enhanced by the use of surnames

Can disordered mobile phone use be considered a behavioral addiction? An update on current evidence and a comprehensive model for future research

Despite the many positive outcomes, excessive mobile phone use is now often associated with potentially harmful and/or disturbing behaviors (e.g., symptoms of deregulated use, negative impact on various aspects of daily life such as relationship problems, and work intrusion). Problematic mobile phone use (PMPU) has generally been considered as a behavioral addiction that shares many features with more established drug addictions. In light of the most recent data, the current paper reviews the validity of the behavioral addiction model when applied to PMPU. On the whole, it is argued that the evidence supporting PMPU as an addictive behavior is scarce. In particular, it lacks studies that definitively show behavioral and neurobiological similarities between mobile phone addiction and other types of legitimate addictive behaviors. Given this context, an integrative pathway model is proposed that aims to provide a theoretical framework to guide future research in the field of PMPU. This model highlights that PMPU is a heterogeneous and multi-faceted condition

Theory and Phenomenology of mu in M theory

We consider a solution to the mu-problem within M theory on a G2-manifold. Our study is based upon the discrete symmetry proposed by Witten that forbids the mu-term and solves the doublet-triplet splitting problem. We point out that the symmetry must be broken by moduli stabilization, describing in detail how this can occur. The mu-term is generated via Kahler interactions after strong dynamics in the hidden sector generate a potential which stabilizes all moduli and breaks supersymmetry with m_{3/2} ~ 20 - 30 TeV. We show that mu is suppressed relative to the gravitino mass, by higher dimensional operators, mu ~ 0.1 m_{3/2} ~ 2-3 TeV. This necessarily gives a Higgsino component to the (mostly Wino) LSP, and a small but non-negligible LSP-nucleon scattering cross-section. The maximum, spin-independent cross-sections are not within reach of the current XENON100 experiment, but are within reach of upcoming runs and upgrades.Comment: 34 pages, 3 figure

IMPLEmenting a clinical practice guideline for acute low back pain evidence-based manageMENT in general practice (IMPLEMENT) : cluster randomised controlled trial study protocol

Background: Evidence generated from reliable research is not frequently implemented into clinical practice. Evidence-based clinical practice guidelines are a potential vehicle to achieve this. A recent systematic review of implementation strategies of guideline dissemination concluded that there was a lack of evidence regarding effective strategies to promote the uptake of guidelines. Recommendations from this review, and other studies, have suggested the use of interventions that are theoretically based because these may be more effective than those that are not. An evidencebased clinical practice guideline for the management of acute low back pain was recently developed in Australia. This provides an opportunity to develop and test a theory-based implementation intervention for a condition which is common, has a high burden, and for which there is an evidence-practice gap in the primary care setting. Aim: This study aims to test the effectiveness of a theory-based intervention for implementing a clinical practice guideline for acute low back pain in general practice in Victoria, Australia. Specifically, our primary objectives are to establish if the intervention is effective in reducing the percentage of patients who are referred for a plain x-ray, and improving mean level of disability for patients three months post-consultation. Methods/Design: This study protocol describes the details of a cluster randomised controlled trial. Ninety-two general practices (clusters), which include at least one consenting general practitioner, will be randomised to an intervention or control arm using restricted randomisation. Patients aged 18 years or older who visit a participating practitioner for acute non-specific low back pain of less than three months duration will be eligible for inclusion. An average of twenty-five patients per general practice will be recruited, providing a total of 2,300 patient participants. General practitioners in the control arm will receive access to the guideline using the existing dissemination strategy. Practitioners in the intervention arm will be invited to participate in facilitated face-to-face workshops that have been underpinned by behavioural theory. Investigators (not involved in the delivery of the intervention), patients, outcome assessors and the study statistician will be blinded to group allocation. Trial registration: Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry ACTRN012606000098538 (date registered 14/03/2006).The trial is funded by the NHMRC by way of a Primary Health Care Project Grant (334060). JF has 50% of her time funded by the Chief Scientist Office3/2006). of the Scottish Government Health Directorate and 50% by the University of Aberdeen. PK is supported by a NHMRC Health Professional Fellowship (384366) and RB by a NHMRC Practitioner Fellowship (334010). JG holds a Canada Research Chair in Health Knowledge Transfer and Uptake. All other authors are funded by their own institutions

Sibling interaction as a facilitator for talent development in sport

While current research has begun to address parental influences on talent development in sport, sibling interaction remains relatively under-examined. Therefore, this study aimed to explore the underpinning mechanisms through which sibling interaction impacts on talent development. Retrospective phenomenological interviews were conducted with four sets of siblings (N = 9), where at least one sibling had competed to an elite level. Findings revealed several higher-order themes that impacted positively on the talented athletes’ development: regularity of interaction in sport, emotional interpersonal skills, rivalry, resilience, co-operation and separation. Separation appeared as the athlete reached elite status, suggesting that these former mechanisms primarily impact during the development phase. Such findings support and extend the sibling, elite sport and talent development literature and provide valuable insight for both practitioners and academics. Importantly, coaches should consider a sibling’s role as an important mechanism outside of the formal coaching structure for talent development