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Sintered neodymium-iron-boron (NdFeB) magnets and lithium-ion (Li-ion) batteries are essential in a number of clean energy technologies such as electric vehicles and wind turbines. The United States (US) has some manufacturing capacity for Li-ion batteries and almost no capacity for producing sintered NdFeB magnets. As a result, the US imports significant quantities of these batteries and magnets. Trade statistics on imported batteries and magnets, however, include only those materials imported in the form of batteries and magnets (referred to here as reported imports) and exclude materials embedded in intermediate and final products such as hard disk drives, electric motors, electric vehicles, and wind turbines (referred to here as embedded imports). This paper develops original estimates of embedded imports of NdFeB magnets and Li-ion batteries, leading to a more complete picture of US imports than looking at reported imports alone. It estimates that more than 90% of NdFeB magnet imports were embedded in intermediate and final products in 2021. In contrast, more than 90% of Li-ion battery imports were in the form of the batteries themselves rather than embedded in intermediate and final products. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Clinicians have published research and reports on calcium and phosphate solubility within parenteral nutrition (PN) for over 40 years. Foundational empirical laboratory investigation in the 1980s motivated by the prevalence of neonatal rickets and osteomalacia in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) population led to precipitation curves that have guided PN prescribing and compounding. Over subsequent decades, numerous publications have expanded the knowledge of factors influencing calcium and phosphate solubility in formulating optimal and safe PN admixtures. Failure to adhere to known principles has led to serious injury and death. Known solubility curves are derived from empiric analysis of a finite number of conditions and concentrations, whereas custom PN orders vary widely and rarely match the admixture composition in the data set used to derive the published precipitation curves. Various commercial platforms have been developed to aid the pharmacist in assessing the potential for precipitation when evaluating a PN order. Some applications plot the calcium and phosphate concentrations of the prescribed PN against known published graphs most similar to the order, allowing the pharmacist to judge the risk of precipitation. Other approaches use intellectually protected trade secret algorithms to determine calcium and phosphate solubility across a continuum of conditions. This publication reports equations that have been used successfully for over 2 decades in our regional network of NICUs and shared with others to determine safe prescribing limits for calcium and phosphate concentrations using an electronic PN prescribing program. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Inhaled treprostinil is an approved therapy for pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) and pulmonary hypertension associated with interstitial lung disease in the United States. Studies have confirmed the robust benefits and safety of nebulized inhaled treprostinil, but it requires a time investment for nebulizer preparation, maintenance, and treatment. A small, portable treprostinil dry powder inhaler has been developed for the treatment of PAH. The primary objective of this study was to evaluate the safety and tolerability of treprostinil inhalation powder (TreT) in patients currently treated with treprostinil inhalation solution. Fifty‐one patients on a stable dose of treprostinil inhalation solution enrolled and transitioned to TreT at a corresponding dose. Six‐minute walk distance (6MWD), device preference and satisfaction (Preference Questionnaire for Inhaled Treprostinil Devices [PQITD]), PAH Symptoms and Impact (PAH‐SYMPACT®) questionnaire, and systemic exposure and pharmacokinetics for up to 5 h were assessed at baseline for treprostinil inhalation solution and at Week 3 for TreT. Adverse events (AEs) were consistent with studies of inhaled treprostinil in patients with PAH, and there were no study drug‐related serious AEs. Statistically significant improvements occurred in 6MWD, PQ‐ITD, and PAH‐SYMPACT. Forty‐nine patients completed the 3‐week treatment phase and all elected to participate in an optional extension phase. These results demonstrate that, in patients with PAH, transition from treprostinil inhalation solution to TreT is safe, well‐tolerated, and accompanied by statistically significant improvements in key clinical assessments and patient‐reported outcomes with comparable systemic exposure between the two formulations at evaluated doses (trial registration: clinicaltrials.gov identifier: NCT03950739). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A commentary on a paper which argues that Virginia should adopt a road-maintainer negligence liability for injuries caused by falling trees and explores issues of sovereign immunity, is presented. Topics covered include duties of a landowner for injuries on the land, distinction of rights from obligations in the context of property, how Virginia courts dealt with the issue of landowner liability in tort for conditions on their land, and reasons for the need to impose duty on road maintainers.

Background: To assess the change in rates of pediatric real‐time or intermittent scanning continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) use over the past 5 years, and how it impacts glycemic control, data from two registries were compared: the US‐based type 1 diabetes Exchange Registry (T1DX) and the German/Austrian DPV (Prospective Diabetes Follow‐Up Registry). Methods: Registry participants aged <18 years with T1D duration ≥1 year encompassed 29 007 individuals in 2011 and 29 150 participants in 2016. Demographic data, CGM use and hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) were obtained from medical records. Results: CGM use increased from 2011 to 2016 in both registries across all age groups, regardless of gender, ethnic minority status or insulin delivery method. The increase in CGM use was most pronounced in the youngest patients, and usage rates remain lowest for adolescent patients in 2016. For both registries in 2016, mean HbA1c was lower among CGM users regardless of insulin delivery method compared to pump only (P < 0.001) and injection only (P < 0.001), and CGM users were more likely to achieve glycemic target of HbA1c <7.5% (56% vs 43% for DPV and 30% vs 15% for T1DX, P < 0.001). T1DX participants had a higher mean HbA1c compared with DPV despite whether they were CGM users or non‐users; however, the difference was less pronounced in CGM users (P < 0.001). Conclusions: Pediatric CGM use increased in both registries and was associated with lower mean HbA1c regardless of insulin delivery modality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Language in the high-stakes 2016 US presidential primary campaign was contentious, filled with name-calling, personal attacks, and insults. Language in debates served at least three political functions: for image making, to imagine potential realities currently not in practice, and to disavow facts. In past research, the reality monitoring (RM) framework has discriminated accurately between truthful and deceptive accounts (~70% classification). Truthful accounts show greater sensory, time and space, and affective information, with little evidence of cognitive operations. An RM algorithm was used with Linguistic Inquiry and Word Count software to code candidates' language. RM scores were significantly higher in fact-checked truth statements than in lies, and debate language in the 2016 primaries was as deceptive as fact-checked lies. In a binary logistic regression model, one RM criterion, cognitive processes, predicted veracity using computerized RM, classifying 87% of fact-checked truth statements but only 28% of fact-checked lie statements (63% classification overall).Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Context: Amphibian metapopulations have become increasingly fragmented in the Midwestern United States, with wetland-breeding salamanders being especially dependent on intact, high-quality forested landscapes. However, the degree to which amphibian populations are isolated, the factors that influence dispersal and, ultimately, functional connectivity remain areas in need of investigation. Objectives and methods: We combined population demographic and genetic approaches to assess how a landscape fragmented by agriculture influences functional connectivity and metapopulation dynamics of a locally threatened salamander ( Ambystoma jeffersonianum). Results: We found that the allelic richness and heterozygosity of this species was significantly related to the level of connectivity with other occupied breeding wetlands and that decreased connectivity resulted in increased genetic differentiation. We also found that effective population size appears to be declining and, while correlative, our focal landscape has experienced significant losses of forested upland habitats and potential wetland breeding habitats over the last 200 years. Conclusions: By combining population and landscape genetic analyses with an assessment of regional wetland occupancy, our study has uniquely synthesized genetic and metapopulation processes, while also incorporating the effects of the landscape matrix on dispersal, connectivity, and population differentiation. The significant relationship between connectivity with heterozygosity, allelic richness, and genetic divergence observed in this study reinforces empirical observations of long distance dispersal and movements in ambystomatid salamanders. However, our results show that protection of core habitat around isolated wetlands may not sufficiently minimize genetic differentiation among populations and preserve critical genetic diversity that may be essential for the long-term persistence of local populations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective:We instituted a quality improvement process to enhance our capacity to diagnose genetic hemolytic conditions in neonates with extreme hyperbilirubinemia.Study design:During a 1-year period, whenever the total serum bilirubin (TSB) was >25 mg dl−1 a special evaluation was perfomed. If we deemed an erythrocyte membrane defect likely, based on red blood cell morphology, EMA-flow cytometry was performed. Otherwise 'next-generation' sequencing was performed using a panel of genes involved in neonatal hyperbilirubinemia.Result:Ten neonates had a TSB ⩾25 mg dl−1. Two others were evaluated as part of this process at the request of their attending neonatologists, because each had a TSB >14 mg dl−1 in the first hours after birth and required phototherapy for ⩾1 week. Explanations for the jaundice were found in all 12 neonates. Five had hereditary spherocytosis, three of which also had ABO hemolytic disease. Two had pyruvate kinase deficiency. One had severe G6PD deficiency. The other four had ABO hemolytic disease.Conclusion:On the basis of the present small case series, we suggest that among neonates with extreme hyperbilirubinemia, it can be productive to pursue a genetic basis for hemolytic disease. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The U.S., Brazil and a number of European and other countries worldwide have introduced various support schemes for bioethanol and biodiesel. The advantage of these biofuels is that they are relatively easily integrated with the current fossil fuel-based transport sector, at least up to a certain point. However, recent studies point to various negative effects of expanding the production of first generation (1G) biofuels further. 1G biofuels' problems can be overcome by a transition to second generation (2G) biofuels. So far, 2G biofuels are much more costly to produce. We therefore ask: to what extent is targeted support to 2G biofuels likely to bring costs down? Additionally, are current support schemes for biofuels well designed in order to promote the development of 2G biofuels? We find that the prospects for cost reduction look better for 2G bioethanol than for 2G biodiesel. Bioethanol made from cellulose is far from a ripe technology, with several cost-reducing opportunities yet to be developed. Hence, targeted support to cellulosic ethanol might induce a switch from 1G to 2G biofuels. However, we find little evidence that production and use of 1G bioethanol will bridge the conversion to 2G bioethanol. Hence, to the extent that private investment in the development of 2G bioethanol is too low, current support schemes for 1G biofuels may block 2G bioethanol instead of promoting it. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The author discusses the potential of small molecule phenotypic screening in drug discovery in the U.S. He mentioned that the method has high probability and potential in the discovery of chemical probes and small molecule biological targets. Moreover, he also presented guidelines and basic principles in phenotypic screening.

The article focuses on negotiability laws presented in Article 3 of the Uniform Commercial Code (UCC) that exhibits recovery in the residential mortgage industry. It recommends that by eliminating holder-in-due-course rule, which protects a purchaser of debt, negotiability can retain its strengths. It mentions that the financial industry of the U.S. can propose an electronic replacement for paper-based negotiable instruments and endorsements by preserving the benefits of negotiability.

Purpose – This paper aims to explore the association between intangibility and perceived risk using a sample of North American households. This relationship is explored within two purchase environments, namely online and offline. The authors also investigated the moderating effects of privacy, system security and general security concerns when purchasing in an online environment. Design/methodology/approach – The survey was delivered to 156 households in a small town in the Midwest and collected upon completion. Findings – The perception of risk is increased when two negatively loaded pieces of information are processed simultaneously (i.e. product intangibility and privacy concern). Furthermore, system security was identified as the most relevant concern in e-commerce. Research limitations/implications – The representativeness of the sample is limited. Theoretical and managerial implications are discussed. Originality/value – The results provide interesting insights about the generalizability of previous findings based on student samples, and show the importance of privacy concerns, system security concerns, general security concerns for those purchasing in online environments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Faculty knowledge of genomics, learner competencies, and program requirements for nursing education are described to assist educators in introducing genomic information into nursing undergraduate, graduate, postgraduate, and continuing education programs regardless of geographic location. Selected programs in the United States and the United Kingdom are described to illustrate successful approaches used by nursing faculty to enhance their genomic knowledge in order to increase application of genetic and genomic content within nursing education curricula. Organizing Construct: Nursing education guidelines and nursing competencies provide benchmarks for educators in planning genetic and genomic curriculum content and expected learner outcomes. Methods: Elements within competencies from the United States and the United Kingdom are reviewed to provide the framework for faculty knowledge. Strategies to address development of faculty knowledge and expertise are suggested. Continuing education faculty development programs and strategies to develop doctorally prepared nurse scientists who will educate future students in the profession are described. Conclusions: Multiple faculty who are prepared to implement education on genetic and genomic topics are needed at all levels of nursing education. Faculty networking and application of genomic principles to nursing are key elements for sustaining nursing education to produce a nursing workforce that can apply essential genomic knowledge. Clinical Relevance: There is an urgent need to offer genomics in accessible and effective education for nursing practice to optimize health outcomes regardless of geographic location. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Genetic advancements have presented numerous discrimination predicaments to individuals, the healthcare community, and legislators at state and federal levels. Oncology nurses should be knowledgeable about the Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act of 2008 (GINA) and its applications to clinical practice. GINA is the first federal law passed to protect U.S. citizens with inherited disorders from being treated unfairly because of their genetic makeup. Understanding the legislation known as GINA, including how it modifies existing federal laws governing health insurance coverage and employment discrimination, can assist oncology nurses in providing important education and advocating for patients and their extended families. Federal agencies that govern and enforce GINA's provisions are identified. Case situations are included to demonstrate how to apply information concerning GINA to patients with cancer and their families who are considering or have already completed genetic testing. Privacy of genetic information is a timely issue but difficult to understand; therefore, provisions of GINA should be addressed and evaluated carefully. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Neonatal hemolytic jaundice is a risk factor for kernicterus. Pyruvate kinase (PK) deficiency is a rare cause of neonatal hemolytic jaundice, with a prevalence estimated at 1 case per 20 000 births in the United States, but with a higher prevalence among the Amish communities in Pennsylvania and Ohio. We discovered four neonates with PK deficiency born in a small community of polygamists. All four had early, severe, hemolytic jaundice. PK deficiency should be considered in neonates with early hemolytic, Coombs-negative, non-spherocytic jaundice, particularly in communities with considerable consanguinity. Such cases should be recognized early and managed aggressively to prevent kernicterus. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We examine hysteresis in EU and US unemployment by panel unit root tests. First generation tests indicate that unemployment is stationary. Second generation tests show mixed results. Idiosyncratic components are stationary in the US. A unit root in the US common component depends on the starting point of the sample. While the common component is nonstationary over the whole period, it is mean-reverting after initial observations are dropped. Hysteresis in EU unemployment is attributed to idiosyncratic, but not to common components. The findings might reflect a different regulation of labour markets and a lower degree of migration in the EU. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The effect of temperature on male sexual displays is well documented but its role in mediating the differential mating success of males is less well established. Male sagebrush crickets Cyphoderris strepitans Morris and Gwynne occur in high-elevation sagebrush meadows in mountainous areas of the western U.S.A., and often are observed singing at temperatures as low −8 to −4 °C to attract sexually receptive females. Males exhibit differential mating success based on their previous mating experience: virgin males have a higher probability of obtaining a mating than do non-virgin males of securing an additional mating. This differential mating success is mediated in part by an unusual form of nuptial feeding behaviour. Females feed on males’ hind wings at mating and the costs imposed on males as a consequence of this behaviour constrain male mating success. In the present study, to determine whether sagebrush crickets are capable of some degree of thermoregulation, and also to investigate whether this ability is influenced by male mating experience, thoracic temperatures of males of varying mating status were measured in relation to ambient temperature throughout the breeding season. A full factorial model examining the effect of site of capture, mating status, body mass and ambient temperature reveals that only ambient temperature has a significant effect on thoracic temperature after controlling for all other factors. It is concluded that differences in the calling times of virgin and non-virgin males and their ability to secure mates does not result from differences in their ability to cope physiologically with low temperatures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: To evaluate the impact of a multicomponent health promotion and disease self-management intervention on physical function and health care expenditures among Medicare beneficiaries. To determine if these outcomes vary by urban or rural residence. Design and Methods: We analyzed data from a 22-month randomized controlled trial of a health promotion/disease self-management program that included 766 elderly Medicare beneficiaries from western New York, West Virginia, and Ohio. Physical function was measured by changes in self-reported dependencies in activities of daily living over the study period. Total health care expenditures were measured by aggregating expenditures from major sources (acute, postacute, and long-term care). We used ordinary least squares models to examine the effects of the intervention on both physical function and cost outcomes during the 22-month period. Results: The results indicated that the intervention reduced physical functional decline by 54% (p .03) in the study sample. Stratified analyses showed that the intervention effect was much stronger in the rural sample. Mean total health care expenditures were 11% ($3,100, p = .30) lower in the intervention group. The effects of the intervention on average health care expenditures were similar among urban and rural participants. Implications: The intervention offered a promising strategy for reducing decline in physical function and potentially lowering total health care expenditures for high-risk Medicare beneficiaries, especially for those in rural areas. Future studies need to investigate whether the findings can be replicated in other types of rural areas through a refined intervention and better targeting of the study population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents a study to examine whether gender differences in negotiation perceptions and performance existed among athletes who had participated in sport in the U.S. It was found that women athletes have more negotiation apprehension than their male counterparts. However, it showed that both sexes did not differ in terms of recognition of opportunities and sense of entitlement related to negotiation.

Purpose: We estimated the effect of a voucher benefit on the demand for personal assistance by Medicare beneficiaries aged 65 years or older who had functional disabilities. Design and Methods: We performed a secondary data analysis on 645 Medicare beneficiaries from the Medicare Primary and Consumer-Directed Care Demonstration (a randomized controlled trial) between August 1998 and June 2000. We estimated a two-part model to determine the effect of the voucher on out-of-pocket personal assistance expenditures. The model controlled for individual health and functional status variables, sociodemographics, prior health care utilization, and state fixed effects. Results: A modest experimental Medicare personal assistance voucher benefit (that reimbursed 80% of up to $250 of eligible expenses per month) increased the likelihood of any out-of-pocket spending for assistance (by 1 2%, p < .05), but it did not increase the amount of personal assistance expenditures among users (p = .94). Overall, the voucher benefits increased average annual expenditures by 1 0% ($5,304 for the voucher group vs $4,836 for the control group). However, this effect did not reach statistical significance (p = .66). Implications: The voucher benefit provided a small incentive to use personal assistance for older Medicare beneficiaries with functional disabilities. Thus, if Medicare were to implement such a benefit, Medicare expenditures may increase. Further research is needed to determine if the increased personal assistance use leads to better health outcomes and whether it is associated with offset cost savings for Medicare-covered services. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To examine suicidal behavior and depression prevalence among a group of Medicare patients under age 65 with functional impairment and recent significant health care services use. An observational study of baseline characteristics of participants in a randomized controlled trial. A Medicare demonstration ( N=1,605) that enrolled primary care patients in 8 counties in New York, 6 counties in West Virginia, and 5 counties in Ohio. All demonstration participants under age 65 ( n=164). Participants were required to have impairment in at least 2 activities of daily living or 3 instrumental activities of daily living, and to have had recent significant health care use. None. The Paykel questionnaire for suicidal ideation and attempts, the Mini-international Neuropsychiatric Interview Major Depressive Episode module, and the 15-item Geriatric Depression Scale were administered at baseline; 14.8% of the patients indicated suicidal ideation during the past year, 4.9% reported a suicide attempt during that time, 25.9% indicated at least 1 lifetime suicide attempt, 34.6% had a major depressive episode in the last month, and 58.3% had clinically significant depressive symptoms during the previous week. These levels of suicidal ideation and behaviors and of depression are far higher than those found in studies of nonelderly American adults, and may indicate the need for routine screening in this population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article discusses government's efforts to prevent environmental degradation. It identifies the work that has been done thus far to build a foundation for developing and using environmental charters. The discussion begins by examining the use of charters and charter like agreements in Europe and North America. It goes on to describe the current interest in charters both within the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources and among outside stakeholders. It summarize ongoing work that is taking place with various associations of entities to build a community of interest and inform further development of charters.

The loggerhead shrike ( Lanius ludovicianus), a songbird that hunts like a small raptor, maintains breeding populations on seven of the eight California Channel Islands. One of the two subspecies, L. l. anthonyi, was described as having breeding populations on six of the islands while a second subspecies, L. l. mearnsi, was described as being endemic to San Clemente Island. Previous genetic studies have demonstrated that the San Clemente Island loggerhead shrike is well differentiated genetically from both L. l. anthonyi and mainland populations, despite the fact that birds from outside the population are regular visitors to the island. Those studies, however, did not include a comparison between San Clemente Island shrikes and the breeding population on Santa Catalina Island, the closest island to San Clemente. Here we use mitochondrial control region sequences and nuclear microsatellites to investigate the population structure of loggerhead shrikes in the Channel Islands. We confirm the genetic distinctiveness of the San Clemente Island loggerhead shrike and, using Bayesian clustering analysis, demonstrate the presence and infer the source of the nonbreeding visitors. Our results indicate that Channel Island loggerhead shrikes comprise three distinct genetic clusters that inhabit: (i) San Clemente Island, (ii) Santa Catalina Island and (iii) the Northern Channel Islands and nearby mainland; they do not support a recent suggestion that all Channel Island loggerhead shrikes should be managed as a single entity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Focuses on consumer protection in the U.S. gambling industry. Discussion of the expansion of legal gambling in the U.S. and how states have come to rely on gambling revenues; Scope and social costs of problem gambling; Information on how to calculate the average cost of a wager; Description of how gamblers wold make use of accurate price information.

An isolated population of dark-eyed juncos, Junco hyemalis, became established on the campus of the University of California at San Diego (UCSD), probably in the early 1980s. It now numbers about 70 breeding pairs. Populations across the entire natural range of the subspecies J. h. thurberi are weakly differentiated from each other at five microsatellite loci ( FST = 0.01). The UCSD population is significantly different from these populations, the closest of which is 70 km away. It has 88% of the genetic heterozygosity and 63% of the allelic richness of populations in the montane range of the subspecies, consistent with a harmonic mean effective population size of 32 (but with 95% confidence limits from four to > 70) over the eight generations since founding. Results suggest a moderate bottleneck in the early establishment phase but with more than seven effective founders. Individuals in the UCSD population have shorter wings and tails than those in the nearby mountains and a common garden experiment indicates that the morphological differences are genetically based. The moderate effective population size is not sufficient for the observed morphological differences to have evolved as a consequence of genetic drift, indicating a major role for selection subsequent to the founding of the UCSD population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Addresses the shortage of preventive medicine physicians. Public health, disease prevention and health promotion; Specialty training and practice; Issues in undergraduate medical education; Preventive medicine residency training; Preventive medicine and primary care practice; Fulfilling the challenges of health system reform.

The article presents a survey on the differences of romantic relationships and friendships of about 400 adolescents from a range of noncollege-bound and college-bound students in the U.S. The survey shows that both dating relationships and friendships were characterized by a wide range of relationship growth, exclusivity and closeness. It reveals that friendship duration ranged from less than two weeks to 156 months, while dating relationships' average duration ranged from less than two weeks to 72 months, which was half compared to friendships.

Reliable predictions imply that macroeconomic models of the U.S. are relatively valid. This would be good news for those who have spent the professional lives investigating the ins and outs of this complex and intricate phenomenon we call the U.S. economy. One might also argue that accurate forecasting will help make economic decision making more efficient whether it is government's accessing future revenues and expenditures or profit seeking businesses utilizing forecasts to make informed investment decisions. Blue Chip calculates averages from the forecasts of approximately fifty nationally known economists. Blue Chip has been compiling forecasts for a decade now and thus offers a unique opportunity to highlight some of its successes and note some of its shortcomings as well. Blue Chip Economic Indicators also makes quarterly GNP forecasts.

The article focuses on the alternatives to labor injunction that the federal courts can provide to meet the railway labor problem from 1877-1895. During the years between the Railways Strikes of 1877 and the Pullman Boycott-Strike of 1894, the courts turned labor injunction as a major device to protect railroads from demonstrators. Though labor advocates condemn the device, the businesspeople hailed labor injunction as proof that the U.S. legal system can adapt to the changing needs of industries. Aside from labor injunction, federal courts could have addressed railway labor disputes by acting as mediators on interstate railways, by requiring receivers to recognize and bargain with organized railway workers, or by empowering itself to enjoin workers from quitting and taking custody of the railroad companies in question until the dispute is resolved.

This article discusses the relations of the public school to other governmental agencies in the U.S. The debate on whether the school system be a competent unit in a comprehensive plan of governmental services under a centralized control, has been the concern this study. According to the Educational Policies Commission, the efficiency in administration of education has resulted from the separation of school and general municipal administration. On the other hand, the disputes between city and school officials do not develop so frequently from a situation based upon the desirability of the relationship between public schools and government agencies.

The article discusses the recent advances and practice trends in treating patients with basal cell carcinoma (BCC), actinic keratosis (AK), and squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) in the U.S. It cites the imiquimod as the topical treatment option for AK and could possibly used alone or in combination with other medical or surgical options. It notes that the mode of action of imiquimod integrates an immune-response modifier that activates the innate immunity through Toll-like receptor activation (TLR). It can also be used for treating BCC and lentigo maligna.

Xylazine, a sedative analgesic drug approved as an animal tranquilizer but not for human use, has become an adulterant in the illicit opioid marketplace in North America. Recently declared an emerging health threat in the U.S., the prevalence of xylazine in overdose deaths increased 5.5-fold between 2019 and 2021. More information is needed about the impact of xylazine on opioid users and harm reduction service providers. The impact of xylazine adulteration was triangulated through examination of (1) opioid overdose fatalities in Connecticut between 2017 and 2021 reported by the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner data, (2) a convenience survey of people in Connecticut who use drugs (PWUD) regarding their knowledge of and attitude about the local illicit drug supply, and (3) semi-structured interviews of harm reduction service providers in Connecticut and Philadelphia in response to prompts on the impacts of and responses to xylazine adulteration. The presence of fentanyl or its analogues in fatal opioid overdoses was a statistically significant predictor of xylazine presence [OR = 25.0, 95%CI (10.7,81.1)] as was being Hispanic [OR = 1.36, 95%CI (1.03,1.77)]. A survey of people who used drugs revealed that 43% (n = 286) were concerned that the drug supply was always unpredictable. Three-quarters of respondents were aware of xylazine and two-thirds would use a xylazine test strip if one was available. Respondents who identified as White, Hispanic were most likely to be aware of xylazine, to have used a fentanyl test strip, and to be interested in a xylazine test strip. Respondents who injected drugs were 3.6-fold more likely than those who did not inject to endorse an interest in a xylazine test strip. Harm reduction service providers were cognizant of a range of problems surrounding the use and injection of xylazine. Although they reported implementing practices to better respond to xylazine harms, they recognized the absence of solutions to many of the problems encountered. The prevalence of xylazine has expanded, especially in combination with fentanyl. Harm reduction education efforts with fidelity to best practices have emerged, but the harms persist and community prevention needs are largely unmet. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Harvest can affect the size and composition of wildlife populations. American black bear (Ursus americanus) populations in the Central Interior Highlands, Arkansas, USA, were nearly extirpated as a result of harvest and habitat change, but have expanded geographically and demographically since reintroduction in the late 1950s and early 1960s. Harvest levels have increased since baiting was permitted on private land in 2001; therefore, we initiated demographic analyses of 2 black bear populations to evaluate the effect of this policy change. We evaluated composition of harvest in response to baiting and used noninvasive genetic sampling in conjunction with capture-recapture methods to estimate density, survival, and population growth rate (λ) of black bear populations at locations within the Ouachita (2006-2008) and Ozark (2009-2011) national forests, Arkansas. More males were harvested than females with the use of bait. Capture probability varied annually; thus, multi-year data were valuable for capturing accurate population parameters. Density was approximately 14 bears/100 km² in the Ouachitas and approximately 26/100 km² for the Ozarks, which was greater than estimates from historical data (1989-1990). Thus, these populations maintained or exceeded previous density estimates while the use of bait was allowed on private land. However, as with any harvested population, it will be important to continue to monitor the population to be able make decisions about appropriate harvest policies going forward. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents the article authors' appeal to the U.S. President George Bush, members of the U.S. Congress, and Chairman of Federal Reserve Board to expedite vigorous economic recovery in 1992-93 and at the same time to speed up productivity growth over the years ahead. The U.S. economy faces both a short-run problem and a long-run problem. Expansionary Federal Reserve monetary policies have the virtue of stimulating spending in the short run on investments that pay off over the long run. As Congress and the Administration decide on such policies, it is of overriding importance that they do it in a way that will not worsen the long-run problem. Long before the recession wages had been falling behind inflation, far behind the aspirations of American workers. It is tempting to try to compensate for these disappointments by lowering taxes. One measure that could help the economy in both short and long runs is the restoration of an investment tax credit, which served the economy well from 1962 to 1986.

We examined the effects of resource limitation on stream invertebrate drift by reducing inputs of terrestrial detritus to a headwater stream in western North Carolina. In the treatment stream, leaf-litter was excluded for 6 years (September 1993 - August 1999), small woody debris was removed for 2 years (September 1996 - August 1998), and large and small woody debris was removed for 1 year (September 1998 - August 1999). Invertebrate abundance in the drift was significantly lower in the treatment stream during the study, but total biomass of invertebrate drift was similar. Although drift densities were higher in the reference stream, a greater proportion of total benthic invertebrate abundance and biomass drifted out of the treatment stream. The proportion of shredder, gatherer, and predator benthic abundance in thedrift was significantly greater in the treatment stream, but scraperproportions were higher in the reference stream and filterer proportions were similar for the two streams. Combined data from both streams indicated that the relationship between drift densities and benthicabundance was positive and significant. Our results demonstrate thatbottom-up effects of resource reduction in a detrital-based stream influence invertebrate drift, increasing the proportion of the benthiccommunity emigrating from the detritus-poor stream. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]