DePaul University

Shocked quartz grains are an accepted indicator of crater-forming cosmic impact events, which also typically produce amorphous silica along the fractures. Furthermore, previous research has shown that shocked quartz can form when nuclear detonations, asteroids, and comets produce near-surface or “touch-down” airbursts. When cosmic airbursts detonate with enough energy and at sufficiently low altitude, the resultant relatively small, high-velocity fragments may strike Earth’s surface with high enough pressures to generate thermal and mechanical shock that can fracture quartz grains and introduce molten silica into the fractures. Here, we report the discovery of shocked quartz grains in a layer dating to the Younger Dryas (YD) onset (12.8 ka) in three classic archaeological sequences in the Southwestern United States: Murray Springs, Arizona; Blackwater Draw, New Mexico; and Arlington Canyon, California. These sites were foundational in demonstrating that the extinction or observed population bottlenecks of many megafaunal species and the coeval collapse/reorganization of the Clovis technocomplex in North America co-occurred at or near the YD onset. Using a comprehensive suite of 10 analytical techniques, including electron microscopy (TEM, SEM, CL, and EBSD), we have identified grains with glass-filled fractures similar to shocked grains associated with nuclear explosions and 27 accepted impact craters of different ages (e.g., Meteor Crater, 50 ka; Chesapeake Bay, 35 Ma; Chicxulub, 66 Ma; Manicouagan, 214 Ma) and produced in 11 laboratory shock experiments. In addition, we used hydrocode modeling to explore the temperatures, pressures, and shockwave velocities associated with the airburst of a 100-m fragment of a comet and conclude that they are sufficient to produce shocked quartz. These shocked grains co-occur with previously reported peak concentrations in platinum, meltglass, soot, and nanodiamonds, along with microspherules, similar to those found in ~28 microspherule layers that are accepted as evidence for cosmic impact events, even in the absence of a known crater. The discovery of apparently thermally-altered shocked quartz grains at these three key archaeological sites supports a cosmic impact as a major contributing factor in the megafaunal extinctions and the collapse of the Clovis technocomplex at the YD onset.

The authors describe the methodological strategies used to effectively recruit a diverse sample of nurses in a qualitative study. Adequate representation of diverse populations is necessary to advance science and health equity. A multimodal research approach (research team composition, flyers, social media, and purposive sampling) was used. When undertaking research with underrepresented groups, recruitment efforts should begin in the early phases of study planning with research team development that can assist in employing multiple recruitment strategies accordingly.

In 2023, a Korean reality show, Physical 100, captured international audiences and became the most-watched non-English-language show on Netflix. It features a hundred contestants competing in a series of physically demanding obstacles to claim the prize and honor of having the “perfect physique”. This study aims to understand how the “perfect physique” is conceptualized through the show's framing and the (re)production of mind–body discourse discussed by the contestants. Utilizing textual analysis , we examine body discourses and representation of the physical body through Anderson’s ideas on orthodox gender ideology (OGI) and Foucault's theory of technologies of self and body discourse while considering sociocultural characteristics of Korean society. Contestants mention physical prowess, performance, and mentality as key features of physique ideals. Male contestants with large muscles or “monstrous movements” are praised, while female contestants are typically not selected for team-based competitions and are regarded as physically and mentally weaker. Despite the show's supposed focus on the physical, contestants often emphasize mentality and willpower as key components of possessing the “perfect physique”. Overall, our Foucauldian-inspired textual analysis examines how reality shows like Physical 100 can challenge and reinforce orthodox gender ideologies related to the body and mind.

While research has shown self-beliefs influence recovery from substance use disorder, beliefs about the external world may also be important when considering recovery capital, or the sum of resources an individual can draw upon to sustain their recovery. Rooted in key concepts of positive psychology and community psychology, recovery capital offers an asset-based framework for understanding recovery as a process of growth to achieve flourishing. This study investigates the role of primal world beliefs, a taxonomy of fundamental beliefs about the world, as they relate to recovery capital in individuals recovering from substance use disorder. Primal world beliefs, also originating in the positive psychological tradition, offer a way to examine how beliefs about the world shape access to recovery-supportive resources. Utilizing a sample of Oxford House, Inc. employees (Baseline n¼132), this 6-month study assessed whether Safe, Enticing, and Alive primal world beliefs influence recovery capital. The findings reveal that Safe and Enticing world beliefs are associated with higher recovery capital, with Enticing world belief showing a stronger association. Additionally, the Alive world belief was found to moderate the relationship between spirituality and recovery capital. These results suggest that primal world beliefs shape perceptions of available recovery resources, with the Enticing belief emerging as a critical factor. This study contributes to the understanding of recovery by highlighting the role of beliefs about the world in accumulating resources essential for recovery, offering potential avenues for understanding the mechanisms underlying community-based substance use disorder interventions.

OBJECTIVE Although continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) reduces hypoglycemia and may improve impaired awareness of hypoglycemia (IAH), its effectiveness in older adults at high risk remains unknown. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS This post hoc analysis of the WISDM study focuses on CGM use over 52 weeks. IAH was assessed using the Clarke original score (Clarke-full) and its subscales, Hypoglycemia Awareness Factor (HAF) and Severe Hypoglycemia Experienced Factors (SHEF), at baseline, 26 weeks, and 52 weeks. RESULTS After 26 (n = 184) and 52 weeks (n = 94) of CGM use, Clarke-SHEF decreased significantly (P = 0.02 and P < 0.0001, respectively), whereas Clarke-full and Clarke-HAF remained unchanged. After 52 weeks, Clarke-full but not Clarke-HAF improved in the IAH subgroup, highlighting the importance of selecting the appropriate scoring method for IAH. CONCLUSIONS In older adults with type 1 diabetes, CGM improves hypoglycemia; however, its role in improving IAH is variable, depending on the scoring method. This study highlights the limitations of the Clarke score.

Over the last few years, chronic inflammatory diseases such as arthritis, type 2 diabetes, and neurodegenerative disorders have become very common (Furman et al., 2019; Pahwa, 2023). All of these diseases are triggered by the same response, i.e., the hyperactivation of the protein caspase-1, which plays a very crucial role in our body's immune response (Molla et al., 2020; Dhani et al., 2021). Although current generic drugs have attempted to regulate inflammatory activity, all of them possess significant side-effects and lack long-term efficacy (Karimi et al., 2015; Dhani et al., 2021). We have selected 10 Ayurvedic plants and extracted compounds from each plant as these species have been employed traditionally to treat inflammation for centuries. Using advanced computer modeling software, we screened how well these natural molecules would bind to caspase-1, as well as other key inflammasome components such as ASC. We not only confirmed if they were a good fit but also examined if these molecules would be safe and well-tolerated by the human body with the assistance of specialized computer software such as SwissADME and ProTox-II. Most of the compounds showed high potential for inhibiting caspase-1 with good binding affinity and low toxicity. Some compounds even had the potential to act on more than one inflammatory pathway, and thus they could be more effective than single-target approaches. The findings suggest that traditional Ayurvedic medicine may hold the key to fighting modern-day inflammatory diseases. The study focuses on how traditional plant-based remedies can be scientifically evaluated systematically using modern scientific methods, closing the gap between drug discovery and traditional medicine. While this computational research is a great starting point, the subsequent task will be to test these compounds using laboratory experiments and eventually clinical trials. In the years to follow, this research may be a gateway for ancient medicinal practices to help treat even larger diseases such as cancer.

In September 2022, the killing of Mahsa Amini, an Iranian woman reportedly accused of not wearing a hijab, ignited widespread protests across Iran and other parts of the world. Two months later, as the Iranian national soccer team competed against England, Wales, and the United States in the 2022 FIFA World Cup group stage, the echoes of these protests persisted both within Iran and on global social media platforms. Scholars have noted that during mega-sporting events, social media platforms can amplify various narratives. Employing a multifaceted approach, we explored Twitter conversations related to Iran’s participation in the World Cup. Our comprehensive methodology included biterm topic modeling and sentiment analysis of tweets related to the Iranian protests. Grounded in the principles of connective action, we found that while a third of the tweets centered on game-related sentiments, two thirds critically addressed the Iranian regime and advocated for the protesters. This research highlights the influential role of social media in spotlighting human-rights concerns during prominent sporting events.

Coping self-efficacy is linked to adaptive coping skills and improved psychological well-being, yet few studies have examined coping self-efficacy in African American adolescents. This study examined change over time in African American adolescents’ coping self-efficacy and the extent to which social-contextual factors (maternal warmth and community violence exposure) and gender are associated with coping self-efficacy. Participants were 160 African American adolescents who resided in a large Midwestern city. Ninth-grade adolescents were followed through 10th grade and reported on coping self-efficacy, maternal warmth, and community violence exposure at four 6-month time intervals. Latent growth modeling was used to examine change over time in coping self-efficacy, along with the effects of social-contextual factors and gender on coping self-efficacy. Latent growth modeling results suggest that, on average, coping self-efficacy linearly declined over the course of ninth and 10th grade. Maternal warmth was associated with higher coping self-efficacy over time, whereas community violence exposure was not associated with coping self-efficacy. Girls reported a lower initial level of coping self-efficacy than boys at the start of ninth grade, but there was no difference in the slope (rate of change) of coping self-efficacy between girls and boys. Implications of study results for research and school based, culturally and contextually relevant coping skills intervention for African American adolescents are discussed. Study limitations and future directions are also described.

There is a chronic, persistent shortage of fully licensed special educators. Teacher residencies in special education offer a path to address this shortage, and Special Education Classroom Assistants, (SECAs), are a unique subset to recruit into residencies. SECAs bring their own prior experiences and knowledge into the residency classroom. The purpose of this paper is to examine SECAs’ funds of knowledge, how they connect this knowledge to their self-identity and how they use these as they develop teacher identity. This study utilized two focus groups, with a total of 14 participating SECA residents. Focus group data were collected and analyzed to better understand the developing identities of SECAs. Based on the findings from focus groups, we identified three themes and subthemes, related to their funds of knowledge and self-identity. We discuss implications and future research related to teacher residencies, special education teacher residencies, and teacher preparation.

Macroevolutionary trends in vertebrate morphology fundamentally shape our understanding of marine ecosystems through deep time. Body form influences interactions between organisms and their environment, dictating their locomotor capabilities and ability to hunt/escape from other species. Sharks (Elasmobranchii: Selachii) have been suggested to broadly exhibit two discrete body forms: one ‘shallow‐bodied’ form associated with slow‐moving benthic species and a ‘deep‐bodied’ form typified by highly active pelagic taxa. Until now, no study has addressed the validity or evolution of these body forms in a phylogenetic framework. Hence, we lack understanding of when, why and how the body forms observed in extant species originally evolved. In this study, we reconstruct the evolutionary history of shark body form and provide statistical evidence to suggest three broadly discrete body forms among extant species. We find support for a benthic origin of sharks, with four discrete transitions to a pelagic‐type morphology occurring during the Jurassic and Cretaceous. Increased habitat availability during this time, driven by a combination of elevated sea temperature, eustatic sea level rise, continental fragmentation and diversification trends of actinopterygians and marine reptiles, could have facilitated the colonisation of the pelagic realm by Mesozoic sharks and the repeated independent evolution of body form consistent with extant pelagic species. We also propose that habitat availability and its taphonomic consequences may explain discordance between origination times suggested by molecular phylogenies and the fossil record.

The integration of digital technologies in primary care settings has significantly transformed healthcare delivery, offering various levels of automation that impact both physicians and patients. This paper investigates the existing digital technologies employed in primary care, evaluates their levels of automation, and examines their effects on physicians and patients. Utilizing the Automation of Doctors and Machines (ADAM) framework, we conducted a comprehensive product review to assess current automation tools across varying levels of complexity. By analyzing a range of technologies, our study outlines critical directions for future innovation to enhance efficiency, accessibility, and equity in primary care automation.

What does it mean to care for culture? How does an individual, a community, a government, a nongovernmen-tal organization, or an international agency care for objects entangled in the legal and illegal antiquities trade, held in contentious museum collections, or at risk due to cultural or natural disasters? How do the various stewards of the past work across the unpredictable boundaries of private, public, and community ownership? Caring for culture involves a range of activities and commitments aimed at safeguarding tangible and intangible cultural representations and ensuring that they remain accessible to present and future generations while honoring the traditions, beliefs, and identities of the contemporary communities. This editorial introduction to this thematic issue of Advances in Archaeological Practice begins with an analysis of the duty of care for the Neo-Assyrian reliefs at the Virginia Theological Seminary, asking whether the decision to sell one of their fragments was caring for culture or a commodification of the past. The remaining contributions to this issue share the theme of caring for culture, acknowledging and building on the enduring scholarship of Neil J. Brodie and Patty Gerstenblith.

We consider the group algebra of the symmetric group as a superalgebra, and describe its Lie subsuperalgebra generated by the transpositions.

Biological invasions are one of the major drivers of biodiversity decline and have been shown to have far‐reaching consequences for society and the economy. Preventing the introduction and spread of alien species represents the most effective solution to reducing their impacts on nature and human well‐being. However, implementing effective solutions requires a good understanding of where the species are established and how biological invasions develop over time. Knowledge of the status and trends of biological invasions is thus key for guiding research efforts, informing stakeholders and policymakers, for targeted management efforts, and preparing for the future. However, information about the status and trends of alien species is scattered, patchy, and highly incomplete, making it difficult to assess. Published reports for individual regions and taxonomic groups are available, but large‐scale overviews are scarce. A global assessment therefore requires a review of available knowledge with careful consideration of sampling and reporting biases. This paper provides a comprehensive global assessment of the status and trends of alien species for major taxonomic groups [Bacteria, Protozoa, Stramenopila, Alveolata, and Rhizaria (SAR), fungi, plants, and animals] for Intergovernmental Panel of Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES) regions. The review provides irrefutable evidence that alien species have been introduced to all regions worldwide including Antarctica and have spread to even the most remote islands. The numbers of alien species are increasing within all taxa and across all regions, and are often even accelerating. Large knowledge gaps exist, particularly for taxonomic groups other than vascular plants and vertebrates, for regions in Africa and Central Asia, and for aquatic realms. In fact, for inconspicuous species, such as Bacteria, Protozoa, and to some degree SAR and fungi, we found records for very few species and regions. Observed status and trends are thus highly influenced by research effort. More generally, it is likely that all lists for alien species of any taxonomic group and region are incomplete. The reported species numbers therefore represent minima, and we can expect additions to all lists in the near future. We identified six key challenges which need to be addressed to reduce knowledge gaps and to improve our ability to assess trends and status of biological invasions.

To ensure equity in the provisioning of urban green spaces, both how green spaces are distributed (i.e., access) as well as whether residents are utilizing them (i.e., use) needs to be considered simultaneously. Yet, few green space equity studies have considered both access and use together, and the fragmented literature provides only a partial view of each. This disconnection partly lies in challenges in integrating disparate “access” and “use” datasets. Using the Phoenix-Mesa urbanized area in Arizona as a case study, we present the conceptual and data challenges we have encountered when linking park access using the Trust for Public Land dataset with park usage measured from large scale human mobility datasets (SafeGraph, now Advan). We then show how the choices of data integration can affect findings of green space equity in the study area. In this paper, we enumerate the data and analytical issues encountered, illustrate research opportunities that the data integration provides for green space equity analyses, and discuss the implications of our findings for equitable environmental planning and policy.

This research examines how attachment‐related insecurity relates to the motives underlying deceptive behavior. In Study 1 ( n = 926), we developed the Motives for Romantic Deception Scale (MRDS), identifying seven distinct motives: malicious intent, attention seeking, conflict avoidance, emotional appeasement, mistake concealment, privacy protection, and sexual avoidance. A follow‐up validation study ( n = 740) provided strong evidence of the scale's convergent and discriminant validity. In Study 2 ( n = 549), we explored the associations between these motives and attachment anxiety and avoidance. As hypothesized, avoidant attachment was positively associated with motives implying emotional distance and autonomy, while anxious attachment was positively related to motives reflecting insecurity and a need for reassurance—patterns that reflect theoretical interpretations rather than direct measures of closeness or autonomy. Unexpectedly, anxious attachment was also positively associated with conflict avoidance and malicious intent. These findings are discussed in the ways attachment dynamics underlie deceptive behavior, and our results suggest that even seemingly prosocial motives may reflect self‐protective strategies.