Tectonomagmatic Evolution of Southwestern Laurentia: Insights from Zircon U-Pb Geochronology and Hafnium Isotopic Composition of the Red Bluff Granite Suite, West Texas, USA

We provide laser ablation–multicollector–inductively coupled plasma–mass spectrometry (LA-MC-ICP-MS) and high-precision chemical abrasion–isotope dilution–thermal ionization mass spectrometry (CA-ID-TIMS) U-Pb ages and Hf isotopic compositions of zircons from the Red Bluff Granite Suite and mafic dikes in the Franklin Mountains of El Paso, Texas, USA. Granitoids exposed in the Franklin Mountains were previously divided into five magmatic stages based on cross-cutting relationships. Major and trace element compositions showed that these granitoids are ferroan, alkaline, and A2 type. Homogeneity in the whole-rock geochemistry suggests that the granite stages are genetically related and share similar petrogenetic histories. Weighted mean zircon 206Pb/238U dates from the older magmatic stage 1 alkali-feldspar quartz syenite and stage 2 alkali-feldspar granite are 1112.36 ± 0.35 and 1112.46 ± 0.37 Ma, respectively. The weighted mean εHf(t) values varying from +5.3 to +7.2 are similar to those of other regional ca. 1.1 Ga magmatic rocks throughout southwestern Laurentia. Geochemical characteristics, petrological modeling, and enriched Hf isotopic composition suggest fractional crystallization of a basaltic magma that was produced by melting of an enriched mantle reservoir. However, zircon inheritance ages of ca. 1.3 Ga and 1.26–1.15 Ga are consistent with a minor contribution from felsic crustal basement. Our data and regional geology are consistent with a post-collisional slab break-off that facilitated asthenospheric upwelling and partial melting of the enriched mantle, possibly subcontinental lithospheric mantle, extending from Llano Uplift, Texas, in the southeast to California to the northwest. Magma thus generated upon differentiation produced ferroan and A-type granitoids

Options on Baskets

The aim is to devise fast, accurate methods to determine the value if options on baskets as well as the correct associated hedges. The method employed is a perturbation procedure based on a small volatility assumption

Extended Sentinel Monitoring of Helicoverpa zea Resistance to Cry and Vip3Aa Toxins in Bt Sweet Corn: Assessing Changes in Phenotypic and Allele Frequencies of Resistance

Transgenic corn and cotton that produce Cry and Vip3Aa toxins derived from Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) are widely planted in the United States to control lepidopteran pests. The sustainability of these Bt crops is threatened because the corn earworm/bollworm, Helicoverpa zea (Boddie), is evolving a resistance to these toxins. Using Bt sweet corn as a sentinel plant to monitor the evolution of resistance, collaborators established 146 trials in twenty-five states and five Canadian provinces during 2020–2022. The study evaluated overall changes in the phenotypic frequency of resistance (the ratio of larval densities in Bt ears relative to densities in non-Bt ears) in H. zea populations and the range of resistance allele frequencies for Cry1Ab and Vip3Aa. The results revealed a widespread resistance to Cry1Ab, Cry2Ab2, and Cry1A.105 Cry toxins, with higher numbers of larvae surviving in Bt ears than in non-Bt ears at many trial locations. Depending on assumptions about the inheritance of resistance, allele frequencies for Cry1Ab ranged from 0.465 (dominant resistance) to 0.995 (recessive resistance). Although Vip3Aa provided high control efficacy against H. zea, the results show a notable increase in ear damage and a number of surviving older larvae, particularly at southern locations. Assuming recessive resistance, the estimated resistance allele frequencies for Vip3Aa ranged from 0.115 in the Gulf states to 0.032 at more northern locations. These findings indicate that better resistance management practices are urgently needed to sustain efficacy the of corn and cotton that produce Vip3Aa

Induction of Cytoplasmic Rods and Rings Structures by Inhibition of the CTP and GTP Synthetic Pathway in Mammalian Cells

Background: Cytoplasmic filamentous rods and rings (RR) structures were identified using human autoantibodies as probes. In the present study, the formation of these conserved structures in mammalian cells and functions linked to these structures were examined. Methodology/Principal Findings: Distinct cytoplasmic rods (,3–10 mm in length) and rings (,2–5 mm in diameter) in HEp-2 cells were initially observed in immunofluorescence using human autoantibodies. Co-localization studies revealed that, although RR had filament-like features, they were not enriched in actin, tubulin, or vimentin, and not associated with centrosomes or other known cytoplasmic structures. Further independent studies revealed that two key enzymes in the nucleotide synthetic pathway cytidine triphosphate synthase 1 (CTPS1) and inosine monophosphate dehydrogenase 2 (IMPDH2) were highly enriched in RR. CTPS1 enzyme inhibitors 6-diazo-5-oxo-L-norleucine and Acivicin as well as the IMPDH2 inhibitor Ribavirin exhibited dose-dependent induction of RR in.95 % of cells in all cancer cell lines tested as well as mouse primary cells. RR formation by lower concentration of Ribavirin was enhanced in IMPDH2-knockdown HeLa cells whereas it was inhibited in GFP-IMPDH2 overexpressed HeLa cells. Interestingly, RR were detected readily in untreated mouse embryonic stem cells (.95%); upon retinoic acid differentiation, RR disassembled in these cells but reformed when treated with Acivicin

Examining the generalizability of research findings from archival data

This initiative examined systematically the extent to which a large set of archival research findings generalizes across contexts. We repeated the key analyses for 29 original strategic management effects in the same context (direct reproduction) as well as in 52 novel time periods and geographies; 45% of the reproductions returned results matching the original reports together with 55% of tests in different spans of years and 40% of tests in novel geographies. Some original findings were associated with multiple new tests. Reproducibility was the best predictor of generalizability—for the findings that proved directly reproducible, 84% emerged in other available time periods and 57% emerged in other geographies. Overall, only limited empirical evidence emerged for context sensitivity. In a forecasting survey, independent scientists were able to anticipate which effects would find support in tests in new samples

Population, Land Use and Deforestation in the Pan Amazon Basin: a Comparison of Brazil, Bolivia, Colombia, Ecuador, Perú and Venezuela

This paper discusses the linkages between population change, land use, and deforestation in the Amazon regions of Brazil, Bolivia, Colombia, Ecuador, Perú, and Venezuela. We begin with a brief discussion of theories of population–environment linkages, and then focus on the case of deforestation in the PanAmazon. The core of the paper reviews available data on deforestation, population growth, migration and land use in order to see how well land cover change reflects demographic and agricultural change. The data indicate that population dynamics and net migration exhibit to deforestation in some states of the basin but not others. We then discuss other explanatory factors for deforestation, and find a close correspondence between land use and deforestation, which suggests that land use is loosely tied to demographic dynamics and mediates the influence of population on deforestation. We also consider national political economic contexts of Amazon change in the six countries, and find contrasting contexts, which also helps to explain the limited demographic-deforestation correspondence. The paper closes by noting general conclusions based on the data, topics in need of further research and recent policy proposals.Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/42720/1/10668_2003_Article_6977.pd

Effectiveness and risks of cricoid pressure during rapid sequence intubation

This is the protocol for a review and there is no abstract. The objectives are as follows: To identify and evaluate all randomized controlled trials (RCTs) involving people undergoing elective or emergency airway management via rapid sequence induction (RSI) and compare people who have cricoid pressure administered with people who do not have cricoid pressure administered

Inhaled methoxyflurane for pain and anxiety relief during burn wound care procedures: an Australian case series

Pain is a common and significant feature of burn injury. The use of intravenous opioids forms the mainstay of procedural burn pain management, but in an outpatient setting, the demand for novel agents that do not require parenteral access, are easy to administer and have a rapid onset are urgently needed. One such agent is the inhaled anaesthetic agent, methoxyflurane (MF). The aim of this study was to conduct a pilot investigation into the clinical effectiveness of MF inhaler on pain and anxiety scores in patients undergoing burn wound care procedures in an outpatient setting. A prospective case series involved recruiting patients undergoing a burn wound care procedure in an ambulatory burn care setting. Pain and anxiety were assessed using numerical rating scales. Overall, median numerical pain rating score was significantly higher post-dressing [pre-dressing: 2; interquartile range (IQR): 1–3 versus post-dressing: 3; IQR 1·5–4; P = 0·01], whereas median numerical anxiety score significantly reduced following the dressing (pre-dressing: 5; IQR 4–7 versus post-dressing: 2; IQR 1–2; P < 0·001). Our study suggests that there is a role for MF in the pain management armamentarium in those undergoing burn care procedures in the ambulatory care setting. However, there is an urgent need for larger case series and randomised controlled trials to determine its overall clinical effectiveness