cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Birds and butterflies respond to soil‐induced habitat heterogeneity in experimental plantings of tallgrass prairie species managed as agroenergy crops in Iowa, USA

Summary 1. The maintenance of habitat heterogeneity in agricultural landscapes has been promoted as a key strategy to conserve biodiversity. Animal response to grassland heterogeneity resulting from spatiotemporal variation in disturbance is well documented; however, the degree to which edaphic variation generates heterogeneity detectable by grassland wildlife has proven more difficult to study in natural settings. 2. We conducted a field experiment to study how soils directly affect vegetation structure and composition and indirectly affect bird and butterfly assemblages using plantings of tallgrass prairie species managed as agroenergy crops in Iowa, USA. The experimental design included four vegetation treatments of varying species richness replicated on three soil types. 3. Habitat characteristics varied widely among soils. Crops on sandy loam, the driest, most acidic soil with the lowest nutrient content, developed shorter, less dense vegetation with sparse litter accumulation and more bare ground compared to crops on loam and clay loam. 4. Birds and butterflies responded similarly to soil-induced variation in habitat characteristics. Their abundance and species richness were similar on all soils, but their assemblage compositions varied among soils in certain vegetation treatments. 5. In low-diversity grass crops, bird assemblages using sandy loam were dominated by species preferring open ground and sparse vegetation for foraging and nesting, whereas assemblages using loam and clay loam were dominated by birds preferring tall, dense vegetation with abundant litter. In high-diversity prairie crops, the species composition of forbs in bloom varied among soils and strongly influenced butterfly assemblages. 6. Synthesis and applications. Prairie agroenergy crops established with identical management practices developed variable habitat characteristics due to natural edaphic variation, and this heterogeneity influenced the spatial distribution of bird and butterfly assemblages due to differential habitat use among species. This finding suggests that if unfertilized prairie crops were grown for agroenergy by land managers large-scale, soil-induced habitat heterogeneity would promote wildlife diversity within and among fields, further increasing the habitat value of these crops compared to the fertilized, annual monocultures that currently dominate the agricultural landscape. Our study also highlights the need for managers to consider soil properties when selecting sites to restore grassland habitat for species of conservation concern.
Knocking out pain in livestock: Can technology succeed where morality has stalled?

Though the vegetarian movement sparked by Peter Singer's book Animal Liberation has achieved some success, there is more animal suffering caused today due to factory farming than there was when the book was originally written. In this paper, I argue that there may be a technological solution to the problem of animal suffering in intensive factory farming operations. In particular, I suggest that recent research indicates that we may be very close to, if not already at, the point where we can genetically engineer factory-farmed livestock with a reduced or completely eliminated capacity to suffer. In as much as animal suffering is the principal concern that motivates the animal welfare movement, this devel- opment should be of central interest to its adherents. Moreover, I will argue that all people concerned with animal welfare should agree that we ought to replace the animals currently used in factory farming with animals whose ability to suffer is diminished if we are able to do so.
DETECTING ESTHER SUMMERSON'S SECRETS: DICKENS'S BLEAK HOUSE OF REPRESENTATION

In this essay, I suggest that we may read Esther Summerson's narration in Bleak House through the lens of recent feminist theoretical speculations on mimicry and masquerade. I argue that Esther's narrative is a duplicitous one in that it redeploys masculine modes of discourse, calling attention to the production of women in that discourse. Writing a narrative about her life, Esther, in effect, copies masculine discourse, but she also writes over it imprinting her own signature. Esther's writing sheds much light on the text's obsessive focus on writing and copying; she produces copy, the copy of a Victorian ideal woman, but in doing so she engenders blots that preclude a unidimensional reading of her. I contend that Esther adopts a narrative veil; this then is her secret in the text which links feminine identity to mimicry and masquerade. At the center of the text is Dickens's mordant critique of the legal system and its machinations; similarly, I argue that Esther's narrative participates in the demolishing of the idea of a stable notion of feminine identity. Critics of Bleak House too often interpret Esther Summerson's narration on a literal level, viewing it as emblematic of the Victorian angel in the house.1 Criticism on Bleak House has centered on the differences between the two narrators, attributing masculinity to the anonymous narrator and femininity to Esther. I am suggesting, however, that this categorization of identity results from reading Esther on a literal level thereby neglecting to dismantle her account in the text. In a text which foregrounds detection and secrets, Esther's narration cannot remain untouched from an analysis of her concealments. Begin ning with Charlotte Bront?, commentators have objected to Dickens's representation of Esther. Bront? thought Esther's portrayal "too often weak and twaddling; an amiable nature is caricatured, not faithfully rendered" (quoted in Tromly 19). Esther may be a caricature, but the text highlights the ironic structure of her first person account by producing an echo of voices which ultimately topples the notion of univocality.2 Esther is not "faithfully rendered" precisely as a result of Esther's mimicking of feminine identity.
Motility characteristics of sperm from the uterus and oviducts of female mice after mating to congenic males differing in sperm transport and fertility.

Motile sperm were videotaped after removal from the uterus and isthmus of the oviducts of female mice 1 h after mating with congenic males carrying none, one, or two t complexes. Males carrying one t complex (tw32/+) are fertile, and sperm carrying the t complex have an advantage in fertilization; males carrying two complexes (tw32/t0) are sterile. For each sperm, 2 sec of movement of the head-midpiece junction were traced from the videotape. For each tracing, five motility parameters were used: curvilinear velocity (Vc), and index of the sperm's mean swimming speed; coefficient of variation of move length (CVML), an index of speed constancy; progressiveness ratio (PR), an index of all deviation of the sperm's movement from a straight line; linear index (LI), an index of the straightness of the sperm's trajectory; and curvilinear progressiveness ratio (PRc), an index of the degree of lateral oscillation about that trajectory. Uterine sperm from fertile males were progressive, with straight trajectories and little lateral oscillation. There were no consistent differences in any motility parameter between uterine sperm from tw32/+ and congenic +/+ males. Uterine sperm from sterile tw32/t0 males were extremely slow and showed very little progressive movement, which could explain their lack of transport to the oviduct. For all fertile males, isthmic oviductal sperm differed significantly from uterine sperm in every motility parameter except Vc: isthmic sperm were less consistent in swimming speed, and less progressive with less straight trajectories and more lateral movement. One or more of these motility characteristics may be related to hyperactivation. A large proportion of isthmic sperm from tw32/+ males had nonlinear trajectories (LI less than .50); these nonlinear sperm were faster than nonlinear isthmic sperm from congenic +/+ males. These motility characteristics of isthmic sperm from tw32/+ males may be related to hyperactivation, or to their previously observed abnormal transport within the oviduct.
Harvesting sugar-beet seed

Comparisons of the effects of harvesting sugar-beet seed by the traditional method of tripodding with barn drying, swathing followed by threshing with a pick-up combine or desiccation with diquat followed by direct combine harvesting showed that there were no consistent or large effects on seed yield, germination, monogermity or size distribution. Thus the best method will be the one which is easiest and/or cheapest, which at present is swathing followed by pick-up combine threshing.Sprays of NAA or 2,4,5-T at 10 or 100 mg a.i./l water before or after flowering had no effect on seed yield or germination and efforts to restrict the loss by shedding of large viable seed failed. Neither chemical decreased germination percentage by setting parthenocarpic seed. Attempts were made to dwarf the 2 m high seed crop to make it suitable for direct combine harvesting. Daminozide sprayed at 1000, 5000 or 10000 mg a.i./l water before or after the winter did not affect plant height, seed yield, germination, monogermity or size distribution. Chlormequat chloride applied similarly dwarfed plants by up to 18% but this was not enough to give a crop less than 1 m high suitable for direct combine harvesting. It did not affect seed yield, germination, monogermity or size distribution. Ethephon sprayed at 10, 100 or 1000 mg a.i./l water when plants were bolting had no detected effects. Chlorflurecolmethyl was sprayed at 10 or 100 before bolting or 1, 10 or 100 mg a.i./l water afterwards. Plants sprayed with the 100 mg/1 solution were dwarfed to less than 1 m high but the treatment was unsuccessful because it greatly reduced seed yield and germination; monogermity was not affected but a much greater proportion of seed fell into the small size grades.
Straight back syndrome.

A 31-year-old male physician with no significant past medical history presented to an internist to establish routine care. He was very active, and an occasional fleeting palpitation was his only cardio-pulmonary complaint. He weighed 73 kg and was 193 cm tall. The heart rate and blood pressure were normal. Cardiac auscultation revealed a moderately loud, grade 3/6 systolic ejection …
Fission Product Extraction (FPEX): Development of a Novel Solvent for the Simultaneous Separation of Strontium and Cesium from Acidic Solutions

Abstract A synergistic extraction solvent for the simultaneous removal of cesium and strontium from acidic solutions has been investigated. The extraction solvent consists of, 4,4′,(5′)‐di‐(t‐butyldicyclo‐hexano)‐18‐crown‐6 (DtBuCH18C6), calix[4]arene‐bis‐(tert‐octylbenzo‐crown‐6) (BOBCalixC6), and 1‐(2,2,3,3‐tetrafluoropropoxy)‐3‐(4‐sec‐butylphenoxy)‐2‐propanol (Cs‐7SB modifier) in a branched aliphatic kerosene (Isopar® L). Extraction synergy for strontium was observed when DtBuCH18C6 was combined with the BOBCalixC6 cesium extractant solvent and Cs‐7SB modifier or if the Cs‐7SB modifier was substituted into the SREX (Strontium Extraction) solvent in place of TBP. The novel process extracted both cesium and strontium simultaneously from 1 M nitric acid solutions with distribution ratios of 8.8 and 7.7 for strontium and cesium, respectively, at ambient temperature. Distribution coefficients for cesium and strontium as a function of nitric acid concentration and temperature were also obtained with 0.5 M<[H...
Improved chest wall fixation for correction of pectus excavatum

Abstract Pectus excavatum, the most common congenital chest wall abnormality, is manifested by deformity of the costal cartilages resulting in a depressed and often rotated sternum. Although there are conflicting data to support and reject the concept that physiologic improvement can be a consequence of surgical repair, correction is frequently indicated for aesthetic improvement alone. The most popular current repair involves resection of abnormal costal cartilages, sternal osteotomy and mobilisation, followed by fixation of the sternum in the corrected position. Improved fixation techniques have evolved, but generally have not employed current concepts of rigid fixation. The correction of pectus excavatum using reconstructiion plates incorporates the benefits of rigid fixation, while allowing custom chest wall contouring and sternal reorientation. Reconstruction plate fixation of the sternum should be considered during correction of pectus excavatum in adult and adolescent patients.
Existence of Equilibrium in Large Matching Markets with Complementarities

In two-sided matching markets with contracts, the existence of stable outcomes can be guaranteed only under certain restrictions on preferences; the typical restriction is that all agents’ preferences are substitutable. We show that, in markets with a continuum of each type of agent, it is only necessary that agents on one side of the market have substitutable preferences to guarantee the existence of a stable outcome. We also consider more general settings with multilateral contracts and no structure on the set of agents, and show that the core is nonempty when there exists a continuum of agents of each type, regardless of agents’ preferences. Finally, we show that in settings with bilateral contracts and transferable utility (but an arbitrary contractual network), the existence of competitive equilibria is guaranteed regardless of agents’ preferences. We also consider large finite markets, showing that each of the three results above holds approximately in the analogous large finite market.
How Influential is Experience? A Study of the Relationship between Demography and Cognition

The study reported here examined the relationship between executives' career experiences and their beliefs and understandings about the management of diversification. The study identified three broad sets of beliefs or orientations that executives hold about the management of diversification. In spite of a longstanding theoretical basis for hypothesizing that managerial demography will influence cognition, the study found no association between the top managers' career experiences that were considered in this study and their beliefs about the management of diversification. Based on this finding of a lack of relationships between demography and managerial beliefs, the paper offers some new theorizing on the relationship between career experiences and managers' beliefs about the management of diversification. It also suggests some implications for human resource practices, specifically the recruiting and development of top executives in large diversified firms.
Lateral Tentorial Meningiomas

Twelve meningiomas situated in the region of the asterion have been operated upon over the past 18 years at Walter Reed General Hospital. These tumors invaded the transverse sinus at its junction into the sigmoid sinus. The superior petrosal sinus which enters the transverse sinus in this area had to be ligated separately only in two instances. However, most of these tumors did extend from the middle into the posterior fossa and required a combined temporal-suboccipital craniectomy. In Fig. 299 an anatomical drawing outlines the relationships of the tumor to the skull, dura, dural sinus, and tentorium. The temporal lobe, the cerebellum, the tumor and its invasion into the transverse sigmoid sinus are seen in a coronal section (Fig. 300). The main blood supply to the asterion meningioma comes from the middle meningeal artery and the occipital artery. The richness of this blood supply demonstrated angiographically will help decide if ligation of the external carotid artery should be done prior to removal of the tumor.
Archaeology by Internet

Columnist Charles Day examines the case of economist Dmitry Dey, who watched a documentary about pyramids, mummies, and tombs and used satellite imagery via Google Earth to uncover long-forgotten pyramids in the empty steppe around Kostanay.
Taphonomic and Paleoenvironmental Evidence of Holocene Shell-Bed Genesis and History on the Northeastern Gulf of Mexico Shelf

Subsurface shell beds that are common on the eastern Alabama/western Florida Panhandle shelf provide paleoenvironmental and taphonomic data that demonstrate a dynamic depositional history with reactivation and amalgamation to the base of the Holocene marine transgressive package. In most of the ten shell beds we examined, shallow-marine mollusks, large soritid foraminifera, and cupularid bryozoans are common. Bioclasts occur in all preservation states, but a majority are pristine or only slightly altered. Normal grading, and concave-up, stacked, and random fabrics are common. In three of these shell beds, a relict estuarine component characterized by poorly-preserved Chione cancellata can be detected. Three other shell beds contain 1 of 2 estuarine molluscan assemblages. One assemblage is characteristic of fine-grained and the other of coarser-grained substrates. In all estuarine shell beds, bioclast preservation ranges from excellent to mixed, and bioclasts have random fabrics and locally are normally graded. Most molluscan remains are indigenous and assemblages range from within-habitat time-averaged to environmentally condensed. Shell beds are thick (up to about 75 cm) and overlie bay or shoreface ravinement surfaces, indicating that shell beds first accumulated as coarse transgressive deposits, and are composite concentrations modified by multiple events. Shell beds, however, are amalgamated. Only fabrics reflecting the final modifying events are preserved, and evidence of previous accumulation processes are obliterated. For marine shell beds especially, these final agents were, and possibly continue to be, highenergy events such as storms (winter cold fronts, hurricanes) or currents associated with Loop Current eddies. Episodically high sedimentation rates associated with these events may have acted as a buffer, preventing a long history of reworking and exposure (thus reducing shell alteration) typical of transgressive lags. Our results indicate that: 1) within-habitat time-averaged and environmentally condensed assemblages can be distinguished by combining taphonomic and environmental data, even when the ranges of environmentally disparate species overlap, 2) transgressive-lag deposits can be composed of well-preserved bioclasts, and 3) transgressive lags can be reworked and amalgamated but still be recognizable on the basis of their stratigraphic context.
High performance pseudocapacitor based on 2D layered metal chalcogenide nanocrystals

Single-layer and few-layer transition metal dichalcogenides have been extensively studied for their electronic properties, but their energy-storage potential has not been well explored. This paper describes the structural and electrochemical properties of few-layer TiS2 nanocrystals. The two-dimensional morphology leads to very different behavior, compared to corresponding bulk materials. Only small structural changes occur during lithiation/delithiation and charge storage characteristics are consistent with intercalation pseudocapacitance, leading to materials that exhibit both high energy and power density.
GENETICS: Normal, Duarte Variant, and galactosemic alleles code for immunologically identical gal-I-P uridyl transferase enzyme protein

Human galactose-l-phosphate uridyl transferase was purified from post-mortem liver to a preparation having a single band in polyacryamide gel electrophoresis. This preparation was used successfully to produce a rabbit antibody that precipitates transferase activity from solution and that forms a precipitin band in double immunodiffusion. Hemoglobulin-free erythrocyte preparations from homozygous normal (Gt+/Gt+), Durate Variant (GtD/GtD), and galactosemic (GtG/GtG) individuals show immunoprecipitin bands in double immunodiffusion against this antibody that are identical with that of the purified transferase preparation. The results indicate that the three alleles code for immunologically similar enzyme proteins suggesting that the functionally less active Duarte Variant and inactive galactosemic enzyme proteins have resulted from “point” mutations.
THE EARLY MODERN MACHINE: DIVINE, SENTIMENTAL, ROMANTIC

It is easy, especially for a generation of students who entered kindergarten in the age of Google, to think that machines, before the advent of electronic computers (and smart phones and iPads), were heavy, clunky, stupid things—big, industrial, hissing with steam and clanking their gears. Or if they weren't heavy and hissing, at least they were rigid and rote: a clock inexorably ticking its way around the dial, an automaton executing brittle motions in stiff sequence.
Clinical and MRI analysis of patients with hepatolenticular degeneration

Objective:To investigate the clinical data and brain MRI feature of 12 patients with hepatolenticular degeneration(HLD)as to offering evidences of early diagnosis and treatment.Methods:The clinical data and brain MRI feature of 12 patients diagnosed by the criteria of HLD were retrospectively analyzed.Results:The mean age at HLD onset was 23.5 years old.The first symptoms marked by extrapyramidal signs,by character changes and by academic achievement decline respectively are 10 cases,1 case and 1 case.Ceruloplasmin(CP)was below.Kayser-Fleischer ring was found in all the patients.MRI examination were found to have abnormal signal,symmetrically distributed in basal ganglia,thalamus,midbrain and pons.Conclusion:The clinical manifestations of HLD are variform.The measurement of CP,Kayser-Fleischer ring check and the MRI check have the important meaning to the diagnosis of HLD.
Evaluation of Similar Search and Link Search's Performances

Google provides us many search features,but studies of the effectiveness of these features are rare in literatures.The authors of this paper investigate the effectiveness of two Google search features,similar pages search(similar search) and linked pages search(link search).Regular search is also evaluated as the baseline.20 queries were used and 20 objective Web pages were chosen to examine the retrieval effectiveness differences among similar search,link search and regular search.A one-way ANOVA method and regression analysis method were used in the study.It is found that the regular search achieved the best retrieval performance.The finding of this study can help users have a clear recognition to similar search and link search.And this study sheds light on how Google reacts to similar search and link search in terms of retrieval effectiveness.
On crustal plates

During the decade just past, developments in Seismology have played an active and central role in the development of the concept of Plate Tectonics. Observational Seismology has provided support for and verification of a number of the dynamic aspects of the hypotheses of continental drift, sea-floor spreading, transform faults and the underthrusting of the lithosphere at island arcs and some continental margins. Those types of seismological evidence which bear on the question of the thickness of the lithosphere are either indirect or circumstantial, or both. As early as 1926, Gutenberg postulated the existence of a layer at a depth of 80 to 150 or 200 km, probably worldwide in extent, in which the velocities of seismic waves are slightly lower than in the immediately overlying layers. Some plate tectonics workers equate this low-velocity layer to the relatively-weak asthenosphere required by Plate Tectonics to underlie the stronger, more brittle lithosphere. In this review, several lines of evidence are marshalled in support of a plate model of the continental crust in seismically active regions in which a layer of decoupling of an upper, lithospheric layer from the weaker substrate may lie in the crust itself at a depth of perhaps 10 to 15 km.
Skeletal Scintigraphy in the Diagnosis of Acute Osteomyelitis

Bone scans detect osteomyelitis earlier, sometimes several days earlier, than x-rays. Prompt institution of therapy, before significant bone damage has developed, thus becomes possible. A positive scintigram is, however, nonspecific, and firm diagnosis requires radiologic and other confirmation. Moreover, because the technique is so new, many open questions remain both about its optimal utilization and about its potential.
Bio-inspired Evolutionary Sensory system for Cyber-Physical System defense

Cyber Physical Systems (CPS) promise advances towards smarter critical infrastructure systems significantly enhancing reliability, efficiency and safety. Current CPS Monitoring and Analysis (MA decoupling sensing and effecting tools from the control and management logic towards enabling interoperable and dynamic defense; and intrinsically supporting trustworthy scalable cooperative defense with shared indicators. Using analysis and simulation, our results demonstrate that EvoSense can enhance detection and resolution promptness and sensitivity to multi-threaded widespread attacks while saving considerable amount of ToD resources.
Oxidatively Stable Polyolefin Thermoplastics and Elastomers for Biomedical Applications

Statistical copolymers were prepared by the Ring Opening Metathesis coPolymerization (ROMP) of (Z)-5,5-dimethylcyclooct-1-ene and cis-cyclooctene. Subsequent hydrogenation yielded poly(ethylene-co-isobutylene) (PEIB) materials. The feed ratio of the comonomers controls the degree of branching and resulting thermal and mechanical properties of the PEIB samples. Oxidative degradation studies, conducted under accelerated in vitro conditions were used to assess and predict their long-term biostability. Relative to commercial poly(ether urethanes) and a structurally similar polyolefin, poly(ethylene-co-1-butylene), the PEIB samples showed much better oxidative resistance. The facile synthesis, improved stability, and excellent mechanical performance of these PEIB materials bode well for their use in biomedical applications that require long-term biostability.
Speech Perception in Noise With Formant Enhancement for Older Listeners

Purpose Degraded speech intelligibility in background noise is a common complaint of listeners with hearing loss. The purpose of the current study is to explore whether 2nd formant (F2) enhancement...
Manufacturing Cell Therapies Using Engineered Biomaterials

Emerging manufacturing processes to generate regenerative advanced therapies can involve extensive genomic and/or epigenomic manipulation of autologous or allogeneic cells. These cell engineering processes need to be carefully controlled and standardized to maximize safety and efficacy in clinical trials. Engineered biomaterials with smart and tunable properties offer an intriguing tool to provide or deliver cues to retain stemness, direct differentiation, promote reprogramming, manipulate the genome, or select functional phenotypes. This review discusses the use of engineered biomaterials to control human cell manufacturing. Future work exploiting engineered biomaterials has the potential to generate manufacturing processes that produce standardized cells with well-defined critical quality attributes appropriate for clinical testing.
High temperature strength of wrought aluminum powder products

The creep rupture properties of wrought aluminum powder products made from five grades of sintered aluminum powder were investigated at temperatures from 400° to 900°F for rupture times up to 1000 hr. The effect of stress concentrations on materials of this type was investigated by means of notched creep rupture tests. A tentative correlation was obtained between the creep rupture properties and the structure as revealed by electron micrographs.
Valuing recreational water clarity and quality: evidence from hedonic pricing models of lakeshore properties

This study extends the economics literature on the relationship between recreational water quality and residential property pricing by separately testing the relationships between both water clarit...
Thiamine Deficiency: An Important Consideration in Critically Ill Patients

Thiamine is an essential cofactor for 4 enzymes involved in the production of energy (ATP) and the synthesis of essential cellular molecules. The total body stores of thiamine are relatively small, and thiamine deficiency can develop in patients secondary to inadequate nutrition, alcohol use disorders, increased urinary excretion and acute metabolic stress. Patients with sepsis are frequently thiamine deficient, and patients undergoing surgical procedures can develop thiamine deficiency. This deficiency can cause congestive heart failure, peripheral neuropathy, Wernicke's encephalopathy, Korsakoff's syndrome and gastrointestinal beriberi. In addition, thiamine deficiency can contribute to the development of intensive care unit complications, such as heart failure, delirium, critical care neuropathy, gastrointestinal dysfunction and unexplained lactic acidosis. Consequently, clinicians need to consider thiamine deficiency in patients admitted to intensive care units and the development of thiamine deficiency during the management of critically ill patients. Intravenous thiamine can correct lactic acidosis, improve cardiac function and treat delirium.
Examining the Impact of Small Business Institute Participation on Entrepreneurial Attitudes

Students enrolled in the Small Business Institute® (SBI) at six universities completed the Entrepreneurial Attitudes Orientation survey. A pre-test was administered during the first week of the semester followed by a post-test at the conclusion of the semester to determine if participation in the course affected students' entrepreneurial attitudes. Past research suggests that an "entrepreneurial perspective" can be developed in individuals, and that a primary focus of entrepreneurship education is the development of positive attitudes. Results strongly supported the notion that completion of the SBI course had a major impact on students' entrepreneurial attitudes. Furthermore, a significant interaction effect was found such that women's attitudes were significantly strengthened by completing the course.
Microbial Arsenic Metabolism: New Twists on an Old Poison During the early anoxic phase on Earth, some microbes depended on arsenic to respire

Imagine a planet with an atmosphere lacking oxygen, its landscape dotted with volcanic craters, caustic oceans, and basins of brine. Yet, amazingly, these oceans and brines teem with life, albeit very different from our own—microorganisms that breathe arsenic. That description may describe the Earth during the early Archean eon. Although breathing arsenic may sound alien, microorganisms that use arsenic oxyanions for anaerobic respiration are found in environmental niches ranging from garden soil and subsurface aquifers to more extreme landscapes such as Mono Lake and Searles Lake in California. Diverse microorganisms metabolize both inorganic and organic forms of arsenic, and their activities are part of a robust biogeochemical cycle. What began more than 15 years ago as our quest to learn how bacteria use arsenate as a terminal electron acceptor led us to discover novel respiratory and photosynthetic pathways.
Carbon dioxide absorption during laparoscopic pelvic operation

Background Several factors may influence the degree of carbon dioxide (CO2) absorption during laparoscopy. Hypercapnia as a result of excessive CO2 absorption may have adverse clinical effects. Study design To identify factors associated with increased CO2 absorption, we retrospectively calculated the CO2 elimination in 65 adult patients who underwent operative pelvic laparoscopy. Increases in CO2 elimination were assumed to be indicative of CO2 absorption. The most commonly performed procedures were bladder neck suspension and pelvic lymphadenectomy. The median insufflation time was 165 minutes. An extraperitoneal approach was taken in 32 percent of the patients. Results Of patients evaluated with postoperative roentgenograms of the chest, 35 percent had subcutaneous emphysema and 9 percent had pneumomediastinum with or without pneumothorax. Multiple factorial analysis of the variance revealed that the extraperitoneal approach, development of subcutaneous emphysema, and increased duration of insufflation were independently associated with a greater increase in peak CO2 elimination. Insufflation time and subcutaneous emphysema had stronger effects in the extraperitoneal group. Conclusions The risk factors for hypercapnia can be identified. Careful consideration of the patient's ability to tolerate hypercapnia should be made when planning extraperitoneal laparoscopy, especially if the procedure is likely to be prolonged. The clinical development of subcutaneous emphysema should alert the surgeon to the possibility of subsequent hypercapnia.
Emerging significance of estrogen receptor coregulator signaling in breast cancer

Estrogen receptor (ERα) plays an important role in the initiation and progression of breast cancer. Many breast cancer patients respond positively to hormonal therapy; however, initial or acquired resistance to endocrine therapies frequently occurs and tumors recur as metastases. Emerging evidence suggests that ERα action is complex and involves functional interactions with coregulators. The levels of ERα coregulator proteins are tightly regulated under normal conditions and ERα-coregulator proteins have the potential to be differentially expressed in malignant tumors and have altered functions leading to tumor progression and metastases. In this review, we summarize recent findings that relate to ERα coregulators and discuss implications of ERα coregulator deregulation in breast cancer metastasis.
Comparison of Communication Networks Power Resilience during Man-Made and Natural Disasters

This paper compares communication networks power resilience during man-made and natural disasters. The performance analysis of communication networks in each case is done using resilience models that consider grid outages and refueling delays for the backup diesel generator. Hurricane Ike and its impact on the Texas Gulf coast is used an example for natural disasters. The observations from Ike are compared with simulated nuclear attacks on various locations in the Gulf coast. The locations in the Gulf coast chosen are Brazoria, Chambers, Galveston, Harris, Jefferson and Orange counties. All these counties experienced significant impacts due to Hurricane Ike. The simulations indicate that the network topology and the logistics of refueling both have significant impact on cell site resilience in both hurricane and nuclear attacks conditions. However, there are differences in spatial characteristics due difference in time scales and the damage forcing actions of each disasters.
Use of Biochar in Organic Farming

Although there has been a great deal of interest in biochar as an amendment to improve soil tilth and crop productivity, there has been comparatively little effort to summarize the research done on the utility of biochar as a soil amendment in organic agricultural systems. The purpose of this chapter is to review the current knowledge regarding the localized production of biochar and its utilization in organic agricultural operations. This chapter provides a brief overview of biochar production and use in agricultural production, the influence of biochar on soil properties and processes in organic farming systems, and a case study of research conducted on the utilization of locally produced biochar on a collection of organic farms on the San Juan Islands in western Washington state, USA. Application of biochar to soils in organic farming systems has the potential to improve soil physical properties, increase nutrient uptake, and reduce nutrient leaching loss. Additional on-farm research trials are needed to adequately evaluate the potential role of biochar in holistic, closed-loop organic farming operations.
Correction to: Bifurcation trees of period-1 motions in a periodically excited, softening Duffing oscillator with time-delay

In the original publication, Fig. 1a, b was published incorrectly. The corrected figure is given below.
Paediatric xenotransplantation clinical trials and the right to withdraw

Clinical trials of xenotransplantation (XTx) may begin early in the next decade, with kidneys from genetically modified pigs transplanted into adult humans. If successful, transplanting pig hearts into children with advanced heart failure may be the next step. Typically, clinical trials have a specified end date, and participants are aware of the amount of time they will be in the study. This is not so with XTx. The current ethical consensus is that XTx recipients must consent to lifelong monitoring. While this presents challenges to the right to withdraw in the adult population, additional and unanswered questions also linger in the paediatric population. In paediatric XTx, parents or guardians consent not only to the initial treatment of the child but also to lifelong monitoring, thus making a decision whose consequences will remain present as the child develops the capacity for assent, and finally the capacity for informed consent or refusal. This article presents and evaluates unanswered paediatric ethical questions in regard to the right to withdraw from XTx follow-up in the paediatric population.
Grid Voltage Estimation and Feedback Linearization based Control of a Three phase Grid Connected Inverter under Unbalanced Grid Conditions with LCL Filter

Voltage sensing in a three phase grid connected inverter is expensive and introduces vulnerability in the presence of faulty components. A feedback linearization based current control strategy independent of grid voltage sensor information is presented in this paper. Initially the current controller is tuned with the assumption of known grid voltage. Next, an internal model based grid voltage estimation technique is proposed to estimate the grid voltage by using the error of the grid current and known filter parameters. The estimated grid voltage from the proposed technique was utilized in feedback linearization based current control to achieve successful current control. The proposed method has been verified via computer simulations based on MATLAB R/Simulink R and PLECS R and the efficacy of the system was checked with various case studies.
Wide-field imaging of sickle retinopathy.

Wide-field imaging is a newer retinal imaging technology, capturing up to 200 degrees of the retina in a single photograph. Individuals with sickle cell retinopathy commonly exhibit peripheral retinal ischemia. Patients with proliferative sickle cell retinopathy develop pathologic retinal neovascularization of the peripheral retina which may progress into sight-threatening sequelae of vitreous hemorrhage and/or retinal detachment. The purpose of this review is to provide an overview of current and future applications of wide-field retinal imaging for sickle cell retinopathy, and recommend indications for best use. There are several advantages to wide-field imaging in the clinical management of sickle cell disease patients. Retrospective and prospective studies support the success of wide-field imaging in detecting more sickle cell induced retinal microvascular abnormalities than traditional non-wide-field imaging. Clinicians can easily capture a greater extent of the retinal periphery in a patient’s clinical baseline imaging to follow the changes at an earlier point and determine the rate of progression over time. Wide-field imaging minimizes patient and photographer burden, necessitating less photos and technical skill to capture the peripheral retina. Minimizing the number of necessary images can be especially helpful for pediatric patients with sickle cell retinopathy. Wide-field imaging has already been successful in identifying new biomarkers and risk factors for the development of proliferative sickle cell retinopathy. While these advantages should be considered, clinicians need to perform a careful risk–benefit analysis before ordering this test. Although wide-field fluorescein angiography successfully detects additional pathologic abnormalities compared to traditional imaging, a recent research study suggests that peripheral changes differentially detected by wide-field imaging may not change clinical management for most sickle cell patients. While wide-field imaging may not carry a clinically significant direct benefit to all patients, it shows future promise in expanding our knowledge of sickle cell retinopathy. Clinicians may monitor peripheral retinal pathology such as retinal ischemia and retinal neovascularization over progressive time points, and use sequential wide-field retinal images to monitor response to treatment. Future applications for wide-field imaging may include providing data to facilitate machine learning, and potential use in tele-ophthalmology screening for proliferative sickle retinopathy.
Problem Set 4.2 – Sensory Transduction

Publisher Summary This chapter presents various problem sets related to sensory transduction, which include the effect on the ability to read and the ability to walk along a city sidewalk for a person affected by age-related macular degeneration.
Advanced Degrees and Professional Development: Assessing the Attitudes and Beliefs of Respiratory Therapists at Three Academic Medical Centers

Background: Addressing increasing demands for improved quality and safety with evidence-based care, the American Association of Respiratory Care (AARC) convened a task force to determine future educational needs for the respiratory care (RC) profession, recommending 80% of the RC workforce be baccalaureate-prepared by 2020. There is little literature available on respiratory care practitioners9 (RCP) feelings, attitudes, and perceptions regarding these recommendations. Methods: A survey was prepared with questions assessing RCPs9 current educational levels, opinions regarding advanced education, their understanding of the AARC9s recommendation and the impact on our profession9s growth. Following multi-center IRB approval, the survey was distributed to 242 RCPs via their association with three regional academic medical centers- Maine Medical Center, Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center, and University of Vermont Medical Center. Our minimum return rate goal was 50% (121). Results: Of the 242 sent, 150 respondents (62.0%) returned surveys, with each institution similarly apportioned: MMC 56/96 (58%), DHMC 37/62 (60%), and UVM 57/84 (68%). In aggregate, respondents reported that 89% currently held an AS while 11% held Bachelor9s degree in RT. 75% were current members of the AARC, but only 37% were aware of the AARC9s recommendation. Respondents agreed (58%) an AS degree is adequate for an entry level RCP, with 29% agreement that requiring an advanced degree would elevate the profession. Interest in obtaining a BSRT suffered a net negative agreement of 8% generally. Those in the 21-30 age group discounted a need for education in critical thinking skills (38.5%) while those over age 50 believe (85%) that these skills were important. Primary barriers to obtaining an advanced degree were no compensation or recognition (42%), and the cost of education (32%). Conclusions: Although most respondents were AARC members, under half (37%) were aware of their recommendation that 80% of the RCP be BSRC-prepared. Furthermore, 58% of respondents felt an AS is adequate for entry into the profession. As leaders and educators within academic medical centers, we have an obligation to prepare our RCPs for the future of this profession. The AARC9s recommendations are laudable, but our results suggest without a greater understanding and communication on the value and benefit of obtaining an advanced degree, progress on this goal may be slower than anticipated. Disclosures: None.
Lights on a Ground of Darkness: An Evocation of a Place aud Time

Review of: "Lights on a Ground of Darkness: An Evocation of a Place and Time," by Ted Kooser.
Survival of the unfittest: Metabolic trade-offs expose unforeseen benefits of plasmid carriage

Population genetics theory defines fitness as reproductive success: Mutants reproducing faster than their wild-type counterpart are favoured by selection. Otherwise, the mutations are lost. Here I show that unfit mutants can thrive when selection favours non-reproductive traits if they engage in a trade-off with fitness. I co-maintained two constructs of Escherichia coli, with and without a non-transmissible plasmid, for more than 80 generations in competition assays that favoured yield. Plasmid carriage prompted a known metabolic trade-off in the bacterium between growth rate per capita-reproductive success-and yield. Importantly the plasmid carries a tetracycline-resistance gene, tet(36). By favouring yield, cells harbouring the plasmid preserved it without exposure to the antibiotic. Unsurprisingly, these cells outgrew their fitter plasmid-free competitor with trace low tetracycline concentrations. Fitness competition assays are widely used, but experimental validation of their underlying principle is rare. These assays are the 9gold-standard9 in genetics, but my work suggests their reliability may be lower than previously thought.
Nutritional assessment and comparison of nutritional indices in predicting adverse outcomes in patients undergoing left ventricular assist device implantation

Abstract Background Preoperative malnutrition has been correlated to postoperative complications in patients with advanced heart failure undergoing placement of a left ventricular assist device (LVAD). We sought to determine whether nutritional risk scores could identify a subset of patients with an LVAD who were at high risk of adverse events. Methods We conducted a retrospective cohort study of all patients undergoing LVAD placement at a single center. The prognostic nutritional index (PNI), nutritional risk index (NRI), and nutrition risk in the critically ill (NUTRIC) score were calculated retrospectively from data abstracted from chart review. The primary endpoint was a composite of mortality and other adverse events associated with LVAD implantation. We used χ2 or Fisher exact tests to compare these three indices against the primary outcome. Results A total of 41 patients with a mean age of 57.2 ± 13.7 y and a mean body mass index of 29.3 ± 6.3 kg/m2 underwent LVAD placement between 2011 and 2019. The composite outcome at 1 y occurred in 31 (76%) patients. Preoperatively, 3 patients were identified as at high nutritional risk by the PNI score and 39 by the NRI score but none by the NUTRIC score. Most patients received nutritional interventions. The nutritional risk scores did not differ significantly between patients who experienced the composite outcome and those who did not. Conclusions The NRI, NUTRIC, and PNI scores did not identify a subset of patients at high risk for the composite outcome. Further studies are needed to determine how to better assess the true nutritional risk of the LVAD population. However, until better risk stratification is available, all patients with an LVAD should be consider at high risk and given appropriate nutritional interventions.