cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Substrate limitations to microbial activity in taiga forest floors

Abstract A combination of laboratory and field experiments showed substantial differences in microbial activity, substrate processing, and N cycling in forest floor samples from different Alaskan boreal forest ecosystems. In soils from black spruce (Picea mariana [Mill.] B.S.P.) communities, low organic matter quality (e.g. low %N, high C:N, high lignin, high lignin:N, low pH, low extractable inorganic N) and cold soils were associated with low rates of soil respiration, microbial turnover and gross microbial N uptake in both laboratory and field measurements. Soils from aspen (Populus tremuloides Michx.) communities had attributes of low organic-matter quality (high lignin and high lignin:N) but also attributes favorable to decomposition (high pH, high %N, high soil temperature) and exhibited much higher relative microbial activity in the field than in the laboratory, probably because warmer field conditions or other processes that occurred only in the field (e.g. root exudation) offset the effects of low organic matter quality. Field soils from birch (Betula papyrifera Marsh.) communities on warm sites also exhibited higher in situ rates of microbial activity than expected from their performance in the laboratory. Microbial activity was more important than microbial biomass in explaining community differences in soil respiration and N cycling. Addition of labile carbon (C) and nitrogen (N) substrates to soils in the field and in the laboratory permitted microbial resource limitations to be evaluated. Microbial response to added N was greatest when labile C was abundant. Microbial demand for available soil N was greatest in soils with the highest organic C concentrations and the lowest rates of N mineralization. These observations support the conventional concept that microbial activity responds to a balanced supply of C and N. However, microbial respiration responded more strongly to sucrose (field) and cellobiose (laboratory) than to cellulose addition, indicating that the degree of defined C limitation depends on the nature of the substrate added and the ability of microbial populations to utilize it. Respiration and N immobilization responded more strongly to substrate additions than did microbial biomass, suggesting that the nature of resource limitation depends on the particular microbial parameter considered. The response of microbial respiration to added C and N also depended on the quality of native soil organic matter.
Learning symbolic models of stochastic domains

In this article, we work towards the goal of developing agents that can learn to act in complex worlds. We develop a probabilistic, relational planning rule representation that compactly models noisy, nondeterministic action effects, and show how such rules can be effectively learned. Through experiments in simple planning domains and a 3D simulated blocks world with realistic physics, we demonstrate that this learning algorithm allows agents to effectively model world dynamics.
Mechanism of mineral formation in bone.

The mechanism of mineral formation in bone is seen best where active new bone formation is occurring, e.g., in newly forming subperiosteal bone of the embryo, in the growing bone of young animals, and in healing rickets where the calcification process in osteoid is reactivated. A large body of ultrastructural evidence, using conventional and anhydrous methods for tissue preparation, has shown convincingly that extracellular matrix vesicles are present at or near the mineralization front in all of the above, and that these vesicles are the initial site of apatite mineral deposition. Thus bone resembles growth plate cartilage, predentin, and turkey tendon in having calcification initiated by matrix vesicles. Once the calcification cascade is begun, matrix vesicles are no longer needed to support mineralization and are consumed by the advancing mineralization front in which performed crystals serve as nuclei for the formation of new crystals. The rate of crystal proliferation is promoted by the availability of Ca2+, PO4 3−, and the presence of collagen, and retarded by naturally occurring inhibitors of mineralization such as proteoglycans and several noncollagenous calcium-binding proteins of bone including bone- Gla protein (osteocalcin), phosphoproteins, osteonectin, and α-2HS-glycoproteins. New electron microscopic immunocytochemical findings in our laboratory suggest that the origin of alkaline phosphatase-positive bone matrix vesicles is polarized to the mineral-facing side of osteoblasts and may be concentrated near the intercellular junctions of human embryonic osteoblasts.
Benchmarking exponential natural evolution strategies on the noiseless and noisy black-box optimization testbeds

Natural Evolution Strategies (NES) are a recent member of the class of real-valued optimization algorithms that are based on adapting search distributions. Exponential NES (xNES) are the most common instantiation of NES, and particularly appropriate for the BBOB 2012 benchmarks, given that many are non-separable, and their relatively small problem dimensions. This report provides the the most extensive empirical results on that algorithm to date, on both the noise-free and noisy BBOB testbeds.
Dopamine release during human emotional processing.

article i nfo Involvement of dopamine neurotransmission in human emotional processing is unclear but animal studies have indicated that it is critical for processing of fear response. In this experiment we examined dopaminergic involvement in the processing of human emotions. We used a novel dynamic molecular imaging technique to detect and map dopamine released during presentation of emotional stimuli. The technique exploited the competition between endogenously released dopamine and its ligand for receptor occupancy and involved dynamic voxel-wise measurement of the rate at which a dopamine receptor ligand ( 18 F-Fallypride) was displaced from receptor sites during emotional processing. An increase in the rate indicated dopamine release. We found that the rate of ligand displacement increased significantly in the left amygdala, left medial temporal lobe (MTL) and left inferior frontal gyrus. The results provide the first direct evidence of dopaminergic modulation of human emotional processing and suggest that the modulation occurs at multiple levels of processing. This finding indicates that the neurocognitive models of human emotion should take into account dopaminergic effects, and that, there is a need to investigate whether manipulation of the dopaminergic system could be an alternate strategy for treatment of conditions in which emotional processing is impaired.
A new architecture for single-event detection & reconfiguration of SRAM-based FPGAs

Field Programmable Gate Arrays (FPGA) are used in a variety of applications, ranging from consumer electronics to devices in spacecrafts because of their flexibility in achieving requirements such as low cost, high performance, and fast turnaround. SRAM-based FPGAs can experience single bit flips in the configuration memory due to high-energy neutrons or alpha particles hitting critical nodes [6] in the SRAM cells, by transferring enough energy to effect the change. High energy particles can be emitted by cosmic radiation or traces of radioactive elements in device packaging. The result of this could range from unwanted functional or data modification, data loss in the system, to damage to the cell where the charged particle makes impact. This phenomenon is known as a Single Event Upset (SEU) and makes fault tolerance a critical requirement in FPGA design. This research proposes a shift in architecture from current SRAM-based FPGAs such as Xilinx Virtex. The proposed architecture includes an inherent SEU detection through parity checking of the configuration memory. The inherent SEU detection sets a syndrome flag when an odd number of bit flips occur within a data frame of the configuration memory. To correct a fault, the FPGA is partially reconfigured without interrupting the normal operation of the FPGA device. Existing solutions include: Triple Modular Redundancy (TMR) systems [1, 2, 5]; readback and compare the configuration memory [4]; and periodically reprogramming the entire configuration memory, also known as scrubbing [4]. The advantages afforded by the proposed architecture over existing solutions include: faster error detection and correction latency over the readback method and better area and power overhead over TMR.
Signal chirp design for suppression of nonlinear polarization scattering in DP-QPSK transmission

We analyze chirp techniques for suppression of nonlinear effects in DP-QPSK transmission. Simulations reveal that a significant reduction in nonlinear polarization scattering can be achieved by properly chirping the two polarization tributaries.
Clinical features of tricho-dento-osseous syndrome and presentation of three new cases: An addition to clinical heterogeneity

Objective Tricho-dento-osseous dysplasia is a rare autosomal dominant disorder which involves increased bone density, enamel hypoplasia, enlarged pulp chambers, and molar taurodontism. This study discusses the phenotypic variability of this condition and describes 3 new cases from a large family. Study design Three affected females and 1 unaffected female from the same family were clinically and radiographically evaluated. Mutation analysis was performed in the candidate gene DLX3. Phenotypes of affected individuals from 3 generations were compared to an unaffected control. Results All affected subjects show increased bone density in long bones and increased thickness and bone density in the skull, especially the skull base. Mandibles are within the upper normal size limits and display increased trabeculation and bone density. No bone loss or regression of the alveolar ridge occurs in older subjects after teeth have been lost. Conclusion The mutation in DLX3 has positive effects on bone density throughout life. Although the mutation in this family is identical with mutations found in other families it results in clinical and phenotypic variability.
An N-acyliminium cyclization approach to a total synthesis of (+)-cylindricine C.

Details of problems and solutions encountered during the development of an enantioselective total synthesis of (+)-cylindricine C are described here. The total synthesis itself was accomplished in 8 steps, featuring an N-acyliminium cyclization strategy, the seldom-used Wharton rearrangement, and a key epimerization at C5.
Future Directions/Innovations with CTC (Prepless CTC, Alternative Displays, Computer-Aided Detection)

In Chap. 5 the routine preparation and methods of colon cleansing were discussed. A common refrain we hear is “the worst thing about colorectal cancer (CRC) screening is the preparation.” While reduced cathartic and even so-called “prepless” CTC without any cathartic have been done successfully in published reports, these processes have not yet reached the mainstream for clinical application. A well-known phrase among abdominal radiologists who perform barium enemas was “heaven is a clean colon.” The same still holds true for CTC, yet the possibility of routine “prepless” CTC is within the realm of feasibility [1]. Below we will discuss these options.
Vortex development behind a finite porous obstruction in a channel

This experimental study describes the turbulent wake behind a two-dimensional porous obstruction, consisting of a circular array of cylinders. The cylinders extend from the channel bed through the water surface, mimicking a patch of emergent vegetation. Three patch diameters () and seven solid volume fractions () are tested. Because flow can pass through the patch, directly downstream there is a region of steady, non-zero, streamwise velocity, , called the steady wake. For the patch diameters and solid volume fractions considered here, is a function of only. The length of the steady wake () increases as decreases and can be predicted from the growth of a plane shear layer. The formation of the von-Karman vortex street is delayed until the end of the steady wake. There are two regions of elevated transverse velocity fluctuation (): directly behind the patch, associated with the wake turbulence of individual cylinders; and at the distance from the patch, associated with the formation of large-scale wake oscillation. Velocity along the centreline of the wake starts to increase only after the patch-scale vortex street is formed, and it approaches the free-stream velocity over a distance . The dimensionless length of the entire wake, , increases with patch porosity.
Using Student-Made Posters To Annotate a Laser Teaching Laboratory

Students in an advanced topics course on lasers designed posters with the goal of creating an educational laboratory space that supports teaching, learning, and outreach to the campus and community. The process of “annotating” our laser laboratory with posters was accomplished by five students and one instrument technician on a small budget of ca. $500. Employing posters as a method of peer-led teaching and as a way to create a user-friendly space represents an extension of previously published uses for posters in undergraduate education and thus provides an important addition to the existing education literature.
A new method for evaluating heat pipe fluid compatibility

Abstract While heat pipes are a widely used and highly efficient means of spreading heat or transferring it from one location to another, there are some fluid-casing combinations which cannot be used due to material incompatibilities. These incompatibilities generally result in the generation of non-condensable gases such as the hydrogen gas produced when water is used with aluminum devices. Some attempts at using inhibitors in aqueous solution are found in literature but a method for screening which inhibitors to use that can also predict and assess the performance of different concentrations is not available. Using a thermodynamic approach, principles of corrosion engineering have been applied to the specific application of phase change heat transfer devices. Experimental data from previous tests has been used to show the E–pH diagrams match the reported NCG generation observed experimentally. Using thermodynamic equilibrium diagrams and measurements of heat pipe fluid E and pH can be a valuable tool when investigating passivating fluids for previously incompatible fluid-casing combinations.
Map-Matching Algorithm for Applications in Multimodal Transportation Network Modeling

Generalized Transit Feed Specification (GTFS) files have gained wide acceptance by transit agencies, which now provide them for most major metropolitan areas. The public availability GTFSs combined with the convenience of presenting a standard data representation has promoted the development of numerous applications for their use. Whereas most of these tools are focused on the analysis and utilization of public transportation systems, GTFS data sets are also extremely relevant for the development of multimodal planning models. The use of GTFS data for integrated modeling requires creating a graph of the public transportation network that is consistent with the roadway network. The former is not trivial, given limitations of networks often used for regional planning models and the complexity of the roadway system. A proposed open-source algorithm matches GTFS geographic information to existing planning networks and is also relevant for real-time in-field applications. The methodology is based on maintainin...
What Is Mindfulness? A Contemplative Perspective

Increasingly, “mindfulness” is being seen as important for success in a wide range of human endeavors. But this word may be used in different ways, possibly leading to confusion or even contention. This chapter provides a comprehensive and fine-grained exposition of the various ways in which the word mindfulness is being used.
Addressing the Appropriateness of Outpatient Antibiotic Prescribing in the United States: An Important First Step

The statement “If you cannot measure it, you cannot improve it,” attributed to Lord Kelvin, is of particular relevance to the field of antibiotic stewardship. Whereas the plea for optimizing how antibiotics are used in the United States has been ongoing for more than 50 years, improvement has been slow. This is particularly a concern in the outpatient setting, where the majority of antibiotics are prescribed, but where widespread stewardship efforts have had limited success.1,2 A focus on expanding antibiotic stewardship in the outpatient setting has been recommended by the Presidential Advisory Council on Combating Antibiotic-Resistant Bacteria in its recent report, in which developing approaches to obtain prescriber-level data on appropriate antibiotic use and developing mechanisms to provide direct feedback on performance are highlighted as important issues.3
Establishment of XRCC1-deficient cell and its cell biological characteristics

Objective To establish XRCC1-defecient cell line through RNA interference,and investigate its cell biological characteristic,and thus lay a basis for the further study on the function of XRCC1.Methods HBE cell was transfected with siRNA Eukaryotic Expression Vector for XRCC1 to establish XRCC1-defecient cell strain.After G418 resistant selection and the successful transfection was identified by fluorescence microscope,the protein expression levels of XRCC1 gene in HBE and HBEX were detected by western blotting so as to verify the effect of interference.Results Successful transfection was confirmed by the cells capable of emitting green light under fluorescent microscope.Western blotting showed that the protein expression level of XRCC1 gene in HBEX was 38.2% of that in HBE.Conclusion The RNA interference of XRCC1 gene in human bronchial epithelial cells was successful.
Smart as a Whip and Fit as a Fiddle: The Effect of a Diploma on Health

AbstractThis study examines the causal effect of a diploma on health using a regression discontinuity approach. During WWII, cohorts of men in the United States whose birthdays fell within particular intervals of time were required to register for the draft on specific dates. These policies created discontinuities in registration age, which subsequently resulted in discontinuities in graduation rates. Because mandatory registration ages fell as the war progressed, the independent variable, diploma receipt, can be measured in terms of both a high school and a college diploma. The results indicate that both forms of credentialing directly improve physical wellness and increase the utilization of health care. These effects are larger than those estimated using ordinary least squares.
Monoclonal Antibodies of Predefined Molecular Specificity for Identification and Classification of Methanogens and for Probing Their Ecologic Niches

Publisher Summary This chapter discusses monoclonal antibodies of predefined molecular specificity for the identification and classification of methanogens and for probing their ecologic niches. Methanogens are extremely sensitive to oxygen, and strict anaerobic techniques are required for growing these bacteria. Other than morphology and a very few nutritional and biochemical features, criteria for identification of genera and species are based mainly on the analysis of the macromolecules 16S rRNA and DNA. Immunologic methods for identifying bacteria and for describing relationships among them are regularly used in microbiology. Antigenic fingerprinting with a panel of antibody probes provides a composite picture of the antigenic mosaic of any given microbe, whereas serologic analysis with one or two antisera reveals only a limited portion of the mosaic. The absence of reaction of a strain with one or more probes in a panel is as important as a positive reaction for identifying the strain and for establishing its relationships with the rest of the methanogens. Negative results are as informative as positive ones in antigenic fingerprinting.
Crystalloid-Containing Giant Granules in Leukemic Monoblasts

Abstract Giant granules (≥1 μm in diameter), Auer rods, and unique giant granules that contained crystalloid material were investigated in monoblasts from a patient with acute monocytic leukemia using ultrastructural and cytochemical techniques. The latter granule type differed from abnormal granules previously described in leukocytes. In Wright's stained preparations, these granules appeared to be crystalloid-containing vacuoles and were observed in approximately 10% of the blasts. Ultrastructural examination of this granule type revealed a limiting membrane enclosing a variably dense matrix and a central crystalloid. Some giant granules contained multiple crystalloids. Giant granules, Auer rods, and both the matrix and the crystalloid of the crystalloid-containing giant granule possessed heavy acid phosphatase and peroxidase reactivity. At the electron microscope level, 45% of the monoblasts contained abnormal granules. Auer rods were observed in 1% of monoblasts, giant granules in 26% of monoblasts, giant crystalloid-containing granules in 10% of monoblasts, and 8% of monoblasts demonstrated both giant granules and crystalloid-containing giant granules. Auer rods were not observed in cells containing giant granules or crystalloid-containing giant granules. Neither phagocytosis of Auer rods nor autophagy was observed, and the transition of Auer rods to giant granules or crystalloid-containing giant granules could not be demonstrated. Genesis of giant granules appeared to result from fusion of small Golgi-derived precursor granules, azurophilic granules, and giant granules with each other. Crystalloid formation was only observed after substantial granule enlargement. These findings detail multiple abnormalities of granule genesis in leukemic monoblasts, which are comparable but distinctly different from abnormalities previously reported in leukocytes from patients with the Chediak-Higashi syndrome or in leukemic cells.
How Culture Affects Attributions, Fairness and Willingness to Purchase

The cultural dimension of individualism/collectivism affects causal attributions of adverse outcomes such as price increases: sellers are blamed less by collectivist Hispanics than by individualistic Anglos. The difference, however, is negated by collectivists’ lower evaluation of the seller’s fairness. There is consequently no difference in their willingness to purchase.
4 – Single Neuron Dynamics: an Introduction

Publisher Summary This chapter discusses the mathematical descriptions of neuronal behavior. The potential in the bath surrounding a neuron is relatively constant under normal circumstances, and it is conventionally taken to be zero. The potential inside the cell is then, by definition, the membrane potential. It can be measured by inserting a hollow glass electrode filled with an electrolytic solution through the cell membrane. At rest, the membrane potential is typically around −70 mV and during the normal course of cell activity, it may vary from about −80 mV to +50 mV. These variations are caused by changes in the conductances of channels that allow ions to cross the cell membrane. The neuron is polarized at rest because of its negative membrane potential. Making the membrane potential more negative is termed hyperpolarization and moving it in the positive direction is termed depolarization. The electrical currents that affect the membrane potential of a neuron arise from the flow of ions, principally potassium, sodium, calcium, and chloride, across the cell membrane.
Sociocultural Perspectives on Science Education

The adoption of new theoretical lenses sheds fresh light on the ways in which persons experience social life and make sense of participation in their lifeworlds. I consider possibilities for a refreshing new era of research and scholarship in science education – especially in regards to the interfaces between research, policy, and professional practice. In the context of a decade-long program of research in urban high schools, in which science education was researched from a sociocultural perspective, I challenge traditional views on the nature of science, epistemology, ontology, and axiology. I describe how cogenerative dialogues were used, as methodology and activity, to catalyze improvements in the quality of teaching and learning, increase the relevance of and interest in science curricula, expand students’ science-related identities, enact an expanded array of roles in class, and afford success in science education. Participants in cogenerative dialogue expanded their agency, adopting numerous leadership roles in their science classes, the school, and out-of-school fields.
Management of Inpatient Hyperglycemia and Diabetes in Older Adults

Adults aged 65 years and older are the fastest growing segment of the U.S. population, and their number is expected to double to 89 million between 2010 and 2050. The prevalence of diabetes in hospitalized adults aged 65–75 years and over 80 years of age has been estimated to be 20% and 40%, respectively. Similar to general populations, the presence of hyperglycemia and diabetes in elderly patients is associated with increased risk of hospital complications, longer length of stay, and increased mortality compared with subjects with normoglycemia. Clinical guidelines recommend target blood glucose between 140 and 180 mg/dL (7.8 and 10 mmol/L) for most patients in the intensive care unit (ICU). A similar blood glucose target is recommended for patients in non-ICU settings; however, glycemic targets should be individualized in older adults on the basis of a patient’s clinical status, risk of hypoglycemia, and presence of diabetes complications. Insulin is the preferred agent to manage hyperglycemia and diabetes in the hospital. Continuous insulin infusion in the ICU and rational use of basal-bolus or basal plus supplement regimens in non-ICU settings are effective in achieving glycemic goals. Noninsulin regimens with the use of dipeptidyl peptidase 4 inhibitors alone or in combination with basal insulin have been shown to be safe and effective and may represent an alternative to basal-bolus regimens in elderly patients. Smooth transition of care to the outpatient setting is facilitated by providing oral and written instructions regarding timing and dosing of insulin as well as education in basic skills for home management.
Enhancement of Zika virus pathogenesis by preexisting antiflavivirus immunity

Zika virus (ZIKV) is spreading rapidly into regions around the world where other flaviviruses, such as dengue virus (DENV) and West Nile virus (WNV), are endemic. Antibody-dependent enhancement has been implicated in more severe forms of flavivirus disease, but whether this also applies to ZIKV infection is unclear. Using convalescent plasma from DENV- and WNV-infected individuals, we found substantial enhancement of ZIKV infection in vitro that was mediated through immunoglobulin G engagement of Fcγ receptors. Administration of DENV- or WNV-convalescent plasma into ZIKV-susceptible mice resulted in increased morbidity—including fever, viremia, and viral loads in spinal cord and testes—and increased mortality. Antibody-dependent enhancement may explain the severe disease manifestations associated with recent ZIKV outbreaks and highlights the need to exert great caution when designing flavivirus vaccines.
A More General Model and the Determination of the Intensity of an Epidemic

In the preceding section the ultimate behavior of the model could be determined by finding the roots of a transcendental equation. We explore this idea further with a more general model and procedure. The contents of this chapter are based on a paper of Hoppensteadt (see notes at the end of the section). In order to formulate this more general model, the previous definition of the class (S) is modified to be “susceptible and unexposed to the infection,” and a class (E) of “exposed but not yet infective” individuals is added to the model. Schamatically, this model is the form
Hospital admissions and emergency department visits among kidney transplant recipients.

Reducing acute care utilization is a means of improving long-term patient outcomes. We sought to assess high inpatient (IP) admission and standalone emergency department (ED) utilization within a 9-month period post-kidney transplantation and to identify mutable factors to reduce utilization. In this ten-year retrospective study, 1599 adult kidney transplant recipients were identified. A previous transplant, graft loss, or death within 3 months post-transplantation excluded 319 patients. Comprehensive resource utilization data were obtained from a statewide database. Those with ≥2 IP admissions or standalone ED visits 4-12 months post-transplantation were classified as high utilizers. Multivariable logistic regression models were used for examining associations of predictors with high IP or ED utilization. Of 1280 kidney recipients, 209 and 183 were categorized as IP and ED high utilizers, respectively. Factors significantly associated with high IP utilization included valvular disease, body mass index ≥35, and IP or ED use <3 months post-transplantation; while factors associated with high ED utilization included IP or ED use <3 months post-transplantation, younger age, female, smoker, congestive heart failure, depression, and IP or ED use 1 year pre-transplantation. Inpatient and standalone ED utilization within a 9-month period after kidney transplantation is high and associated with sociodemographic factors, mutable comorbidities, and healthcare utilization.
Use of the Fogg Behavior Model to Assess the Impact of a Social Marketing Campaign on Condom Use in Pakistan

The Fogg Behavior Model (FBM) is a new framework which posits that behavior happens when three factors - motivation, ability, and a prompt - occur in the same moment. The FBM categorizes people into four groups based on motivation and ability and posits that those with high motivation and high ability will adopt a behavior when prompted. Two rounds of panel survey data from 617 married men in urban Pakistan were used to test this hypothesis. Multilevel mixed-effects logistic regression was used for the analysis. The results show the relationships between ability, motivation, the prompt and condom use to be as hypothesized by the FBM. After adjustment for a range of variables including fertility desires, education, and household wealth, the odds of condom use among men with high motivation and high ability were 34 times higher than the odds of condom use among men with low motivation and low ability. Moreover, the association between the prompt and condom use operated through increased motivation and ability. The FBM has potential for use in the design and evaluation of behavior change interventions in developing countries.
Cell-to-cell interaction requires optimal positioning of a pilus tip adhesin modulated by gram-positive transpeptidase enzymes

Assembly of pili on the gram-positive bacterial cell wall involves 2 conserved transpeptidase enzymes named sortases: One for polymerization of pilin subunits and another for anchoring pili to peptidoglycan. How this machine controls pilus length and whether pilus length is critical for cell-to-cell interactions remain unknown. We report here in Actinomyces oris, a key colonizer in the development of oral biofilms, that genetic disruption of its housekeeping sortase SrtA generates exceedingly long pili, catalyzed by its pilus-specific sortase SrtC2 that possesses both pilus polymerization and cell wall anchoring functions. Remarkably, the srtA-deficient mutant fails to mediate interspecies interactions, or coaggregation, even though the coaggregation factor CafA is present at the pilus tip. Increasing ectopic expression of srtA in the mutant progressively shortens pilus length and restores coaggregation accordingly, while elevated levels of shaft pilins and SrtC2 produce long pili and block coaggregation by SrtA+ bacteria. With structural studies, we uncovered 2 key structural elements in SrtA that partake in recognition of pilin substrates and regulate pilus length by inducing the capture and transfer of pilus polymers to the cell wall. Evidently, coaggregation requires proper positioning of the tip adhesin CafA via modulation of pilus length by the housekeeping sortase SrtA.
Chlamydia Infection Among Adolescent Long-Acting Reversible Contraceptive and Shorter-Acting Hormonal Contraceptive Users Receiving Services at New York City School-Based Health Centers.

Abstract Study Objective One concern regarding long-acting reversible contraceptive (LARC) use among female adolescents is the potential for sexually transmitted infection acquisition. Few studies investigate chlamydia infection among adolescent LARC users compared with other hormonal contraceptive method (non-LARC) users. We hypothesized that incident chlamydia infection would be similar in these 2 groups and that it would not be associated with adolescent LARC use. Design, Setting, and Participants Secondary data analysis of electronic health records of adolescents who started using LARC (n = 152) and non-LARC methods (n = 297) at 6 New York City school-based health centers between March 2015 and March 2017. Interventions and Main Outcome Measures Demographic characteristics, sexual risk factors, and occurrence of chlamydia infection over a period of 1 year were compared in the 2 groups using χ2 tests and t tests. Multivariable logistic regression was used to test the association between LARC use and chlamydia infection adjusting for relevant covariates. Results Among 422 adolescent patients tested the year after method initiation, 48 (11.4%) had at least 1 positive chlamydia test. The proportions of LARC users and non-LARC users with chlamydia infection were not statistically significantly different (10.9% vs 11.6%; P = .82). Multivariable analysis showed that LARC use was not associated with greater chlamydia risk (adjusted odds ratio, 0.84; 95% confidence interval, 0.41-1.43). Conclusion Adolescent LARC users did not have significantly higher chlamydia infection occurrence compared with non-LARC users the year after method initiation. Concern for chlamydial infection should prompt recommending condom use but should not be a barrier to recommending adolescent LARC use.
50 Years of Development of Beneficial Microbes for Sustainable Agriculture and Society: Progress and Challenges Still to Be Met—Part of the Solution to Global Warming and “Hothouse Earth”

This chapter is partly biographical and partly a challenge to current and future scientists. The progress and practice of the use of beneficial microbes in agriculture has improved and increased over the past decades. In the past 80 years, we have seen microbial agents first described, then developed both in terms of science and practice, and there are now millions of hectares planted with crops inoculated or otherwise benefitting from microbial agents. However, their promise is only partially realized, with, in my view, even greater advances still to be made. The next section describes the state of the art and the societal benefits that remain to be realized.
Thermal analysis of microscale aluminum particles coated with perfluorotetradecanoic (PFTD) acid

Micron-diameter aluminum particles (μAl) are highly reactive when combined with a solid oxidizer. However, μAl powder is less reactive in a gaseous air environment, where oxygen is the only available oxidizer, unless very well dispersed. While enthalpy of oxidation for Al is high, many variables influence the viability of harnessing stored chemical energy within a single Al particle whose reaction is diffusion controlled. One way to enhance Al particle reaction is to coat the particle surface with a condensed phase oxidizing agent that is in immediate contact with the particle surface to promote diffusion reactions. Fluorocarbons such as perfluorocarboxylic acids have been used to enhance Al combustion for nanoscale Al (nAl) particles because fluorinated species are also reactive with the Al2O3 passivation shell surrounding the Al core particle. This study extends previous work on nAl toward μAl particles coated with perfluorotetradecanoic acid (PFTD) (F3C(CF2)11CO2H) and then characterizes the μAl-PFTD thermal reactivity. Samples were prepared with varying PFTD concentrations ranging from 0 to 20 mass percent, and experiments were performed using thermogravimetric analysis and high-speed infrared imaging on powder samples. Results show the PFTD-coated μAl particles provide higher apparent reaction temperatures (by about 500 °C) and longer burn times at elevated temperatures (by about 20%). Higher concentrations of PFTD tend to produce more gas-generating reactions with particles ejecting from the loose powder pile, but 9% PFTD coating on μAl particles provides a good balance of stable reactivity with high-temperature reactions (~ 1800 °C) and high-temperature burn times (~ 18 s). The higher temperatures for PFTD-coated μAl particles are attributed to the increased (nearly double) energy produced in the formation of AlF3 (56.10 kJ g−1) compared to Al2O3 (30.98 kJ g−1); both of these product species are identified in XRD analysis. In addition, the formation of AlF3 may reduce the melting and phase transition temperature of Al2O3 by several hundred degrees and contribute to catalytically activating the Al reaction. Overall, coating μAl particles with a fluorinated polymer facilitates reaction in an air environment, even for small concentrations of PFTD coating.
Ni coating on 316L stainless steel using cage plasma treatment: Feasibility and swelling studies

Abstract A modified cage plasma nitriding technique is used to coat a Ni film onto a 316L substrate as a protective layer for austenitic steels in molten fluoride salts. The coating is achieved by deposition of Ni atoms sputtered from a Ni cage with a 316L substrate floated at the same potential as the cage to reduce plasma sputtering on the substrate. The Ni coating is porosity-free and precipitation-free and forms a γ-(Fe, Ni) phase due to interdiffusion from the substrate. Beneath the interdiffusion layer exists a thick γ-phase layer mainly affected by long-range nitrogen diffusion along the grain boundary. This layer develops grain boundary Cr nitride precipitates. Ion irradiation on the polished cross-section of the plasma-treated sample shows no void swelling in the surface-deposited Ni layer, very limited void formation in N diffusion layer, and significant void swelling in bulk unaffected by nitrogen. The studies demonstrate the feasibility of the technique for Ni coating and show good swelling resistance of the coating layer and N diffusion-affected layer. Mechanisms are discussed.
The Drosophila micropyle as a system to study how epithelia build complex extracellular structures

Dynamic rearrangements of epithelial cells play central roles in shaping tissues and organs during development. There are also scenarios, however, in which epithelial cell movements synergize with ...
Some Thoughts on Haptic Aesthetics for Design Transmodal Aesthetics

Designing for total user satisfaction is or should be the goal of human centered product design. However, satisfaction is a complex function of multiple interdependent variables many of which are only recently being explored. Among these are the haptic senses and sensations. Considerable research attention is currently given to them particularly in interface design. However, the existence and role of haptic emotions and aesthetics in product design and their interactions with visual aesthetics and emotions seem to be comparatively overlooked. The proposition is made herein that an object should be so designed that it is as pleasurable to hold and use as it (or its image) is pleasing to look at. Furthermore, it should be so designed that viewing it or its image arouses the appropriate virtual haptic responses. That is, the object should be designed so as to maximize its haptic as well as visual aesthetics and emotions. As an aid to progress in this area, this paper makes the argument for more recognition of the existence of a visual ⇒ ( virtual haptic synesthesia; the evocation of mentally aroused haptic sensations which follow on viewing an object or even its image. Such sensations may lie below the conscious level but still be potent in forming the viewer’s total aesthetic and emotional response to an object.
Occupational Stress Across the Globe: A Review of Multicultural Research

This chapter provides an updated review of cross-cultural research on stressor-strain relationships in the workplace. We organize studies with samples from a variety of nations around six common stressors: role stressors, workload, situational constraints, job control, social characteristics, and career concerns. We present conclusions on relationships between cultural values and stressors and offer suggestions for future multicultural research on employee stress and well-being.
Americans for Prosperity and the Future of Schedule B

In this Letter to the Editor of Tax Notes Federal, Professor Aprill expresses her concern that the reasoning of the Supreme Court in its July 1 decision, Americans for Prosperity Foundation, could render unconstitutional the current requirement under section 6033 of the Internal Revenue Code that section 501(c)(3) organizations file with the IRS a Schedule B that includes the names and addresses of major donors.
The association between mothering behaviors and empathy in European-American and Asian-American emerging adults

Empathy is an essential component of positive human interaction driven in part by parenting. Most research on parents’ role in empathy focuses on child and adolescent samples. Thus, the present study examined the relations between current maternal behaviors (warmth and behavioral control) and empathic concern of European-American and Asian-American college-going emerging adults residing in the U.S. Gender (male/female) was explored as a moderator. Participants included 606 (69.6% women, 79.5% European American) undergraduate students ages 18–29. Gender and ethnic differences were observed: (a) emerging-adult women reported greater levels of empathy than did emerging-adult men, and (b) European Americans reported greater levels of empathy than did Asian Americans. Maternal warmth was related positively to empathy, maternal behavioral control was related negatively to empathy, and Maternal Warmth x Gender was significant with the maternal warmth-empathy relation being stronger for men than women. Implications and future directions are discussed.
Primary Debulking Via Robotic-Assisted Laparoscopy for Stage IIIc Poorly Differentiated Endometrioid Adenocarcinoma of the Ovary.

Study Objective It has been demonstrated that minimally invasive surgery (MIS) is feasible and effective for interval cytoreduction after neoadjuvant chemotherapy for advanced ovarian cancer patients. MIS is also widely used to assess resectability in the setting of newly diagnosed advanced ovarian cancer. However, the role of MIS in the primary debulking of advanced ovarian cancer is less clear. Here, we present a case of a patient with stage IIIC high-grade endometrioid ovarian cancer, which was optimally debulked to no gross residual(R0) via robotic-assisted laparoscopy. Design This is a presentation of a patient who underwent primary ovarian cancer debulking via robotic-assisted laparoscopy. Setting The patient was taken to the operating for a planned robotic left ovarian oophorectomy, myomectomy and resection of endometriosis. Diagnostic laparoscopy revealed peritoneal tumor implants consistent with advanced ovarian cancer. The frozen section confirmed epithelial ovarian cancer. Patients or Participants This case involves a 37-yo patient who was found to have advanced ovarian cancer at the time of a planned robotic surgery for a complex left ovarian cyst and resection of fibroids and endometriosis. Interventions The patient underwent robotic-assisted total hysterectomy, bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy, infracolic omentectomy, resection of pelvic peritoneal, rectosigmoid, and diaphragmatic tumor nodules, pelvic and paraaortic lymph node dissection as well as pelvic washing. Final pathology showed stage IIIC poorly differentiated endometrioid adenocarcinoma of the ovary. Measurements and Main Results Complete gross resection (R0) was achieved. The estimated blood loss was 50 cc. The operative time was 3 hours and 10 mins. She was discharged on postoperative day 1. Her postoperative course was uncomplicated. Adjuvant chemotherapy with IV carboplatin and paclitaxel was initiated three weeks after surgery. Conclusion MIS is a feasible option for primary debulking in select cases of advanced ovarian cancer.
Utilization and Outcomes of Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation in Obstetric Patients in the United States, 1999-2014: A Retrospective Cross-Sectional Study.

Background Utilization of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) for adult critically ill patients is increasing, but data in obstetric cohorts are scant. This study analyzed ECMO utilization and maternal outcomes in obstetric patients in the United States. Methods Data were abstracted from the 1999-2014 National Inpatient Sample (NIS), a 20% US national representative sample. ECMO hospitalizations (International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision, Clinical Modification [ICD-9-CM] code 39.65) in patients ≥15 years of age were categorized into obstetric ECMO and nonobstetric ECMO. Obstetric patients included 4 categories: (1) loss or termination of pregnancy, (2) delivery (term or preterm), (3) postdelivery hospitalization, and (4) pregnancy without an obstetrical outcome. Possible underlying causes for obstetric ECMO were identified by analysis of ICD-9-CM codes in individual records. In-hospital death was abstracted from the NIS, and ECMO complications were identified using ICD-9-CM algorithms. Statistical significance in time-effect was assessed using weighted regression models. Results During the 16-year study period, 20,454 adult ECMO cases were identified, of which 331 occurred in obstetric patients (1.6%; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.4-1.8). Obstetric ECMO utilization rate was 4.7 per million obstetric discharges (95% CI, 4.2-5.2). The top 3 possible indications were sepsis (22.1%), cardiomyopathy (16.6%), and aspiration pneumonia (9.7%). Obstetric ECMO utilization rate increased significantly during the study period from 1.1 per million obstetric discharges in 1999-2002 (95% CI, 0.6-1.7) to 11.2 in 2011-2014 (95% CI, 9.6-12.9), corresponding to a 144.7% increase per 4-year period (95% CI, 115.3-178.1). Compared with nonobstetric ECMO, obstetric ECMO was associated with decreased in-hospital all-cause mortality (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 0.78; 95% CI, 0.66-0.93). In-hospital all-cause mortality for obstetric ECMO decreased from 73.7% in 1999-2002 (95% CI, 48.8-90.8) to 31.9% in 2011-2014 (95% CI, 25.2-39.1), corresponding to a 26.1% decrease per 4-year period (95% CI, 10.1-39.3). Compared with nonobstetric ECMO, obstetric ECMO was associated with significantly increased risk of both venous thromboembolism without associated pulmonary embolism (aOR 1.83; 95% CI, 1.06-3.15) and of nontraumatic hemoperitoneum (aOR 4.32; 95% CI, 2.41-7.74). Conclusions During the study period, obstetric ECMO utilization has increased significantly and maternal prognosis improved.
Far-Infrared Impurity Modes in Potassium Iodide

The spectrum of acoustic and optic lattice modes in potassium iodide is divided into two frequency regions.1 In the perfect crystal, normal mode frequencies are not allowed in the intervening gap. Introducing impurities into the perfect lattice alters this description.2 For different combinations of impurity mass and force constants, localized impurity modes are expected in the gap between the optic and acoustic branches, above the optic branch or in both regions. The amplitude associated with the localized impurity mode rapidly decreases with increasing distance from the defect.