cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Abstract 82: In Vivo Memri Reveals Persistent Activation of the Pvn by an Acute Systemic Angiotensin Ii Injection

Introduction: An overactive brain renin-angiotensin system is a major factor in the establishment of neurogenic hypertension in the spontaneously hypertensive rat (SHR). However, there is no concrete evidence to indicate that this is associated with enhanced neuronal activity in the brain. The objective here was to use the MRI to establish the effect of ANGII on neuronal activity in the autonomic brain areas. We propose that a single ANGII injection will cause a long-lasting neuronal response in the autonomic brain areas, which will be exaggerated in the SHR. Methods: In vivo basal and ANGII-evoked neuronal activity was measured in the Wistar-Kyoto (WKY) rat and the SHR using manganese-enhanced MRI (MEMRI) at 4.7Tesla. Rats were treated with manganese chloride (MnCl 2 30 mM solution, i.p .;16-20 hrs prior to the MRI), which labels active neurons. T 1 -weighted images were obtained 16-20 hrs after a single ANGII injection (0.32μg/kg i.p.). Coronal slice scans (caudally from end of the cerebellum towards the hypothalamus) were processed using itkSNAP, and data analyzed for normalized signal intensity. Results: Acute ANGII injection caused an immediate pressor response in the WKY (ΔSBP=∼20mmHg), normalizing within 2 hours. Despite this, ANGII evoked a persistent PVN neuronal activation, which was elevated by 22±4% in the WKY, and by 187±45% in the PVN of SHR. As a result, there was a ∼8.5fold increase in the ANGII-dependent neuronal activity in the PVN of SHR compared to WKY. Furthermore, there was a ∼2.5fold decrease in the NTS neuronal activity in the SHR compared to WKY. Conclusion: The present study shows for the first time the correlation between ANGII and autonomic neuronal activation. Even a single systemic ANGII injection results in a lasting effect on the brain. This is particularly apparent in the SHR, which exhibited an exaggerated neuronal response to the ANGII stimulus, reflected in the elevated PVN neuronal activation corresponding to the enhanced sympathetic drive, and in the depressed NTS activation corresponding to the dysfunction in the barorereflex processing. Thus, repeated pro-hypertensive stimuli in the autonomic brain areas may lead to pre-sympathetic neuronal plasticity, resulting in heightened sympathetic drive and hypertension.
Caregivers' Support Network Characteristics Associated with Viral Suppression among HIV Care Recipients.

Informal care receipt is associated with health outcomes among people living with HIV. Less is known about how caregivers’ own social support may affect their care recipient’s health. We examined associations between network characteristics of informal caregivers and HIV viral suppression among former or current drug using care recipients. We analyzed data from 258 caregiver-recipient dyads from the Beacon study, of whom 89% of caregivers were African American and 59% were female. In adjusted logistic regression analysis, care recipients had lower odds of being virally suppressed if their caregiver was female, was caring for youth involved in the criminal justice system, and had network members who used illicit drugs. Caregivers’ greater numbers of non-kin in their support network was positively associated with viral suppression among care recipients. The findings reveal contextual factors affecting ART outcomes and the need for interventions to support caregivers, especially HIV caregiving women with high-risk youth.
Can we predict religious extremism

Given events such as 11 September, the 2013 Boston Bombing, and the 2015 Paris attacks it is becoming increasingly apparent that religious extremism has great potential to negatively impact our dai...
Darwin's Demons: Does Evolution Improve the Game?

It is widely assumed that evolution has the potential to make better video games. However, relatively few commercial games have been released that use evolution as a core game mechanic, and of these games only a very small sub-set have shown that evolution occurs as expected and improves game play as intended. Thus, there remains a critical gap between studies showing the clear potential of evolution to improve video games and studies showing that evolution did improve game play in a commercially released game.
Transgenerational Patterns of Communication Orientations and Depression Among Mothers and Adult Children

This study investigated intergenerational transmissions of conversation orientations, conformity orientations, and depressive symptoms among 235 (N = 470) mother–child dyads. The analysis revealed that mothers’ reports of conformity orientation in her family of origin positively predicted her child’s report of conformity orientation and conversation orientation. Moreover, maternal depressive symptoms predicted child reports of family communication climates, which in turn predicted child depressive symptoms. A mediation analysis showed a significant indirect effect from maternal depressive symptoms to child depressive symptoms through child reports of conformity orientation. Implications for transgenerational patterns of family communication climates and depressive symptoms are discussed.
Teaching the Retropubic Midurethral Sling Using a Novel Cadaver and Model-Based Approach.

OBJECTIVE To measure the impact of a model-based teaching program on resident comfort and skill with retropubic midurethral sling (MUS). STUDY DESIGN Residents were assessed before and after a retropubic MUS teaching session, which included a brief lecture and three interactive teaching stations (cadaver pelvis, retropubic MUS pelvic model, cystoscopy model). Self-assessment measures included MUS-related visual analog scale (VAS), Likert, and open-ended questions. Objective assessment measures were used to score blinded videos of trocar passage on a pelvic model, including a modified objective structured assessment of technical skills (mOSAT) and a retropubic MUS-specific checklist of surgical steps. Emerging themes from the open-ended questions were identified using grounded theory; analysis ceased once theme saturation was achieved. RESULTS Twenty-five of 37 total residents participated in the training session and 24 participated in this study. Following training, VAS scores, Likert scores, and qualitative analysis indicated greater resident comfort with performing retropubic MUS, with relevant anatomy, and with trocar passage. Residents demonstrated improvement in model trocar passage post-training, with a rise in mOSAT score (47% to 65%; p = .01) and a rise in checklist score (61% to 75%; p = .11). Residents expressed discomfort due to inexperience with MUS, concern regarding trocar passage, and worry over potential complications. Residents reported feeling more prepared to perform MUS after the session. They stressed the importance of repetition and a comfortable learning environment for surgical training, and praised the "hands-on" training session. CONCLUSION We demonstrate success using a short, single-session, hands-on group training session to improve comfort and skill with retropubic MUS.
Rethinking the idea of late autism spectrum disorder onset

A common theory of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) symptom onset includes toddlers who do not display symptoms until well after age 2, which are termed late-onset ASD cases. Objectives were to analyze differences in clinical phenotype between toddlers identified as ASD at initial evaluations (early diagnosed) versus those initially considered nonspectrum, then later identified as ASD (late diagnosed). Two hundred seventy-three toddlers recruited from the general population based on a failed developmental screening form or parent or physician concerns were followed longitudinally from 12 months and identified as early- and late-diagnosed cases of ASD, language delayed, or typically developing. Toddlers completed common standardized assessments and experimental eye-tracking and observational measures every 9-12 months until age 3. Longitudinal performance on standardized assessments and experimental tests from initial evaluations were compared. Delay in social communication skills was seen in both ASD groups at early-age initial assessment, including increased preference for nonsocial stimuli, increased stereotypic play, reduced exploration, and use of gestures. On standardized psychometric assessments, early-diagnosed toddlers showed more impairment initially while late-diagnosed toddlers showed a slowing in language acquisition. Similar social communication impairments were present at very early ages in both early-detected ASD and so-called late-onset ASD. Data indicate ASD is present whether detected or not by current methods, and development of more sensitive tools is needed.
The microbiome and the hallmarks of cancer.

Microbes have long been linked to cancer: from studies on Epstein–Barr virus (EBV) and lymphoma to Helicobacter pylori and gastric cancer. Although single infectious agents were initially associated with carcinogenesis, technological advances have broadened our knowledge of microbial communities that may impact carcinogenesis, namely, the trillions of microorganisms that live in symbiosis with humans. Commensal microbes (microbiota) live in close association with their human hosts and impact host health, immunity, and homeostasis. Disruption to the composition of these microbial communities can dysregulate host cellular processes and promote the development of various diseases, including cancer. The “hallmarks of cancer” is an important framework for understanding the processes of how normal cells turn cancerous. This framework can also be applied to the mechanisms underlying how microbes and microbial communities influence carcinogenesis and cancer development in their human hosts. This chapter uses the hallmarks of cancer as a framework to discuss mechanisms for how microbiota promote tumorigenesis through crosstalk with the host, interactions between other microbes, and the role of microbial localization in relation to carcinogenesis.
Percutaneous Management of Aortic Root Rupture During Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement With Coil Embolization.

Aortic root rupture is a rare, but potentially fatal, complication of transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR).1,2 Despite the advances in TAVR technology, aortic root rupture continues to be associated with high mortality because of the lack of effective treatment options for this complication. We describe 2 cases of aortic root rupture occurring during TAVR that were managed percutaneously with coil embolization of the periaortic space created by the root rupture. A 79-year-old patient underwent TAVR with a 29-mm Evolut R (Medtronic, Inc, Minneapolis, MN). Pre-TAVR computed tomography revealed annular perimeter 81.6 mm (mean diameter, 26.0 mm). Because of significant paravalvular aortic regurgitation (Figure 1A; Movie IA in the Data Supplement), post-dilation was performed with a 26 mm×4.5 cm True Balloon (Figure 1B; Movie IB in the Data Supplement). Immediately after post-dilation, a large pericardial effusion was noted (Figure 1C; Movie IC in the Data Supplement). Emergent pericardiocentesis was performed. Selective injection into the left coronary cusp with a 6F XB-LAD 3.5 guide catheter revealed the site of aortic root rupture in the left coronary sinus, with contrast extravasating into the pericardial space (Figure 1D and 1E; Movie ID …
HEMODYNAMIC ASSESSMENT OF STRESS-INDUCED (TAKOTSUBO) CARDIOMYOPATHY

The acute management of Takotsubo cardiomyopathy remains incompletely understood despite an increasing incidence. A 63 year old woman presented with chest pain. Her medical history included hypertension and active tobacco use. Physical exam noted a 3/6 holosystolic murmur throughout the precordium
Charge and discharge behavior of elemental sulfur in isochoric high temperature thermal energy storage systems

Abstract Thermal energy storage with elemental sulfur is a low-cost alternative to molten salts for many medium to high-temperature energy applications (200–600 °C). In this effort, by examining elemental sulfur stored isochorically inside isolated pipes, we find that sulfur provides attractive charge/discharge performance since it operates in the liquid-vapor regime at the temperatures relevant to many important applications, such as combined heat and power (CHP) plants and concentrating solar power (CSP) plants with advanced power cycle systems. The isolated pipe configuration is relevant to shell-and-tube thermal battery applications where the heat transfer fluid flows over the storage pipes through the shell. We analyze the transient charge and discharge behavior of sulfur inside the pipes using detailed computational modeling of the complex conjugate heat transfer and fluid flow phenomena. The computational model is validated against experiments of a single tube with well-defined temperature boundary conditions and internal temperature measurements. The model results evaluate the influence of pipe diameter on charge and discharge times, heat transfer rate, and Nusselt number due to buoyancy driven convection currents. Depending on the Rayleigh number (pipe diameter), the average Nusselt number obtained for discharge is 3–14 times higher than proposed solid-liquid phase change technologies based on molten salt, which are limited in their performance due to conduction based solidification and low thermal conductivity. The results show competing trade-offs between increase in heat transfer coefficient, thermal energy stored in sulfur, and increase in charge and discharge time with increase in pipe diameter. A preferred pipe diameter can be determined for target applications based on their requirements and these competing trade-offs. A validated fundamental correlation for Nusselt number as a function of Rayleigh number for charge and discharge is developed that can be used to design the sulfur-based thermal storage system for transient operation.
India as a Regional Power: Opportunities and Constraints

India has long sought to play a role commensurate to its size, economic capacity and political standing. Regional states, especially Pakistan, have challenged this aspiration. Consequently, India has been forced to devote significant resources to cope with Pakistan’s intransigence. It has also resorted to harsh measures ranging from outright intervention to coercive economic diplomacy to induce various neighbors to conform to its expectations. As its economic prowess increases and there is a commensurate growth in its military capabilities, India will probably be able to pursue its preferences without resorting to overt coercion. Instead, its very success should lead the smaller states, with the likely exception of Pakistan, to bandwagon with India rather than engage in various attempts to balance its power in the region.
Ring Enhancing Brain Lesions in a Patient With Sarcoidosis: A Diagnostic Challenge. (P1.306)

Objective: To highlight a case of ring-enhancing lesions in a patient with definite-neurosarcoidosis on infliximab. Background: Central nervous system (CNS) involvement in sarcoidosis is seen in 5–10% of cases. Long term treatment involves steroids and steroid-sparing immunomodulatory agents. Chronic immunomodulation can result in increased patient susceptibility to opportunistic infections. Ring-enhancing lesions on brain MRI are nonspecific findings and could be attributed to infectious (including aspergillosis) and non-infectious etiologies. Design/Methods: Clinical manifestations, imaging, laboratory and autopsy findings are presented. The diagnostic approach for ring-enhancing brain lesions was reviewed. Results: A middle-aged woman with definite neurosarcoidosis on infliximab (started 4 months earlier) and dexamethasone presented with subacute confusion and cognitive decline. Significant abnormalities were noted on mental status exam. Gadolinium enhanced brain MRI showed multiple, bilateral cortical and subcortical ring-enhancing lesions. Patient neurological, respiratory and systemic conditions rapidly deteriorated and required assisted ventilation. Cerebrospinal fluid analysis (CSF) showed total protein of 511 and glucose of 104 (67% of serum ), pleocytosis (25 cells, 96% lymphocytes). Repeat CSF analysis showed 303 cells with 94% neutrophils, protein of 87, and glucose of 55 (54% serum). Systemic and CNS microbiological studies were negative. Due to high suspicion for fungal infection, patient immunosuppression was held and empiric Amphotericin-B was started early in the course of hospitalization. After 3 weeks, bronchial fluid grew Aspergillus Fumigatus. Amphotericin-B was then switched to Voriconazole. Despite aggressive management, she died from respiratory failure and autopsy revealed systemic and CNS Aspergillosis with multiple brain abscesses. Conclusions: The current clinical observation serves to remind clinicians of the challenges faced in diagnosing brain ring-enhancing lesions, especially in patients with pre-existing brain disorders. Furthermore, it highlights the difficulty in treating invasive fungal infections in immunocompromised hosts. More studies are needed to establish the incidence and clinical course of invasive fungal infections in patients with sarcoidosis and infliximab therapy. Disclosure: Dr. Van Sanford has nothing to disclose. Dr. Obeidat has nothing to disclose. Dr. Zabeti has received personal compensation for activities with Biogen, Genzyme, and Acorda Therapeutics as a speaker.
Biosynthesis and Biotechnology of Seed Lipids Including Sterols, Carotenoids and Tocochromanols

This chapter will take a broad look at non-acyl and acyl lipids found in seed. Initially it will focus on certain non-acyl lipids, such as sterols, carotenoids and tocochromanols. It will provide a brief overview of the function of these molecules in plants with a focus on seeds, review information on biosynthetic pathways and attempts at altering quality and quantity of these molecules through metabolic engineering. Our subsequent review of acyl lipid biosynthesis will mainly focus on recent findings related to modification of the pathways providing energy, reductant and carbon for fatty acid biosynthesis that allows for high levels of acyl lipid accumulation during seed filling. This section will have a specific focus on the interaction of primary metabolism and fatty acid biosynthesis. We will then briefly review fatty acid biosynthesis in seed plastids and cytosolic assembly of seed storage and membrane lipids in seed. Finally developmental regulation of seed storage lipid accumulation and transgenic approaches to increase the total oil content of seeds will be summarized.
Evaluating effects of automation reliability and reliability information on trust, dependence and dual-task performance:

The use of automated decision aids could reduce human exposure to dangers and enable human workers to perform more challenging tasks. However, automation is problematic when people fail to trust an...
Dental Emergency Practice Characteristics Among North Carolina Pediatric and General Dentists.

PURPOSE The purpose of this study was to assess after-hours practice characteristics of pediatric dentists (PDs) and general dentists (GDs) and determine how patients-of-record obtain after-hours emergency dental care. METHODS A 29-item survey was electronically distributed to PDs and GDs in North Carolina in September 2014. Demographics and after-hours emergency practice characteristics were assessed. Survey respondents were subsequently called after-hours to validate reported after-hours emergency protocol. Descriptive and bivariate statistics compared responses from PDs and GDs. Concordance between survey and telephone responses was analyzed. RESULTS Eighty-six (46 percent) PDs and 1,199 (36 percent) GDs completed the survey; 86 (100 percent) and 1,015 (85 percent) met inclusion criteria, respectively. Most dentists allowed patients to reach them via pager/cell phone after-hours (82.1 percent of PDs, 72.8 percent of GDs; P=0.04). More PDs than GDs had established after-hours emergency protocols (95.3 percent versus 56.7 percent, P<0.001), practiced in a group (71.1 percent versus 40.9 percent, P<0.001), and shared call (64.0 percent versus 30.1 percent, P<0.001). Telephone and survey responses significantly differed for GDs (P<0.001) but not PDs (P=0.14). CONCLUSIONS After-hours emergency care is an important component of a comprehensive dental home. More pediatric dentists than general dentists provided after-hours emergency dental care. Survey and telephone responses were more consistent and favorable for PDs than GDs. This highlights gaps in emergency dental practice and breakdown of the dental home.
Validated automatic speech biomarkers in primary progressive aphasia.

Objective To automatically extract and quantify specific disease biomarkers of prosody from the acoustic properties of speech in patients with primary progressive aphasia. Methods We analyzed speech samples from 59 progressive aphasic patients (non-fluent/agrammatic = 15, semantic = 21, logopenic = 23; ages 50-85 years) and 31 matched healthy controls (ages 54-89 years). Using a novel, automated speech analysis protocol, we extracted acoustic measurements of prosody, including fundamental frequency and speech and silent pause durations, and compared these between groups. We then examined their relationships with clinical tests, gray matter atrophy, and cerebrospinal fluid analytes. Results We found a narrowed range of fundamental frequency in patients with non-fluent/agrammatic variant aphasia (mean 3.86 ± 1.15 semitones) compared with healthy controls (6.06 ± 1.95 semitones; P < 0.001) and patients with semantic variant aphasia (6.12 ± 1.77 semitones; P = 0.001). Mean pause rate was significantly increased in the non-fluent/agrammatic group (mean 61.4 ± 20.8 pauses per minute) and the logopenic group (58.7 ± 16.4 pauses per minute) compared to controls. In an exploratory analysis, narrowed fundamental frequency range was associated with atrophy in the left inferior frontal cortex. Cerebrospinal level of phosphorylated tau was associated with an acoustic classifier combining fundamental frequency range and pause rate (r = 0.58, P = 0.007). Receiver operating characteristic analysis with this combined classifier distinguished non-fluent/agrammatic speakers from healthy controls (AUC = 0.94) and from semantic variant patients (AUC = 0.86). Interpretation Restricted fundamental frequency range and increased pause rate are characteristic markers of speech in non-fluent/agrammatic primary progressive aphasia. These can be extracted with automated speech analysis and are associated with left inferior frontal atrophy and cerebrospinal phosphorylated tau level.
Analysis of recurrence after the resection of pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES Outcomes after recurrence of resected pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors (PNETs) are not well described. We aim to assess the rate and sites of recurrence, and its effect on clinical outcomes. METHODS Retrospective chart review of patients (n = 83) who underwent surgical resection of PNETs at 2 institutions. Patients were treated from September 2002 to July 2010. RESULTS There were 13 (16%) recurrences. The most common site of recurrence was the liver (9 patients, 9.6%). The most common treatment of recurrences was chemotherapy (5 patients, 36%). The 1-, 3-, and 5-year disease-free survival was 90.9%, 82.7%, and 72.5%, respectively. Median recurrence-free survival was 127 months. The median follow-up for all PNET patients was 25.8 months (range, 1-140 months). The 3-year survival was 97%. The median follow-up of patients after the diagnosis of a recurrence was 13.8 months. The overall survival for those with and without recurrence was 96.3% and 100%, respectively (P = .36). The age ( P = .002) and lymph node ratio ( P < .001) were predictors of recurrence on multivariate analysis. CONCLUSIONS Age and lymph node ratio are significant predictors of recurrence after the resection of PNETs with hepatic metastases being the most common. Survival of patients with recurrence is not significantly different from patients without recurrence.
Filamentous non-albicans Candida species adhere to Candida albicans and benefit from dual biofilm growth.

Non-albicans Candida species (NACS) are often isolated along with Candida albicans in cases of oropharyngeal candidiasis. C. albicans readily forms biofilms in conjunction with other oral microbiota including both bacteria and yeast. Adhesion between species is important to the establishment of these mixed biofilms, but interactions between C. albicans and many NACS are not well-characterized. We adapted a real-time flow biofilm model to study adhesion interactions and biofilm establishment in C. albicans and NACS in mono- and co-culture. Out of five NACS studied, only the filamenting species C. tropicalis and C. dubliniensis were capable of adhesion with C. albicans, while C. parapsilosis, C. lusitaniae, and C. krusei were not. Over the early phase (0-4 h) of biofilm development, both mono- and co-culture followed similar kinetics of attachment and detachment events, indicating that initial biofilm formation is not influenced by inter-species interactions. However, the NACS showed a preference for inter-species cell-cell interactions with C. albicans, and at later time points (5-11 h) we found that dual-species interactions impacted biofilm surface coverage. Dual-species biofilms of C. tropicalis and C. albicans grew more slowly than C. albicans alone, but achieved higher surface coverage than C. tropicalis alone. Biofilms of C. dubliniensis with C. albicans increased surface coverage more rapidly than either species alone. We conclude that dual culture biofilm of C. albicans with C. tropicalis or C. dubliniensis offers a growth advantage for both NACS. Furthermore, the growth and maintenance, but not initial establishment, of dual-species biofilms is likely facilitated by interspecies cell-cell adherence.
Effects of chronic hypercapnia on ammonium transport in the mouse kidney.

Hypercapnia and subsequent respiratory acidosis are serious complications in many patients with respiratory disorders. The acute response to hypercapnia is buffering of H+ by hemoglobin and cellular proteins but this effect is limited. The chronic response is renal compensation that increases HCO3 - reabsorption, and stimulates urinary excretion of titratable acids (TA) and NH4 + . However, the main effective pathway is the excretion of NH4 + in the collecting duct. Our hypothesis is that, the renal NH3 /NH4 + transporters, Rhbg and Rhcg, in the collecting duct mediate this response. The effect of hypercapnia on these transporters is unknown. We conducted in vivo experiments on mice subjected to chronic hypercapnia. One group breathed 8% CO2 and the other breathed normal air as control (0.04% CO2 ). After 3 days, the mice were euthanized and kidneys, blood, and urine samples were collected. We used immunohistochemistry and Western blot analysis to determine the effects of high CO2 on localization and expression of the Rh proteins, carbonic anhydrase IV, and pendrin. In hypercapnic animals, there was a significant increase in urinary NH4 + excretion but no change in TA. Western blot analysis showed a significant increase in cortical expression of Rhbg (43%) but not of Rhcg. Expression of CA-IV was increased but pendrin was reduced. These data suggest that hypercapnia leads to compensatory upregulation of Rhbg that contributes to excretion of NH3 /NH4 + in the kidney. These studies are the first to show a link among hypercapnia, NH4 + excretion, and Rh expression.
Concepts of Capacity and Level of Service for Interrupted Flow

The general concepts of capacity and level of service are discussed in great detail in Chaps. 2 and 3 of Volume 1 of this manuscript. This chapter reviews some of the development history of these critical concepts, and specifically discusses their application to interrupted flow facilities.
Phosphate Transporter PstSCAB of Campylobacter jejuni Is a Critical Determinant of Lactate-Dependent Growth and Colonization in Chickens.

ABSTRACT Campylobacter jejuni causes acute gastroenteritis worldwide and is transmitted primarily through poultry, in which it is often a commensal member of the intestinal microbiota. Previous transcriptome sequencing (RNA-Seq) experiment showed that transcripts from an operon encoding a high-affinity phosphate transporter (PstSCAB) of C. jejuni were among the most abundant when the bacterium was grown in chickens. Elevated levels of the pstSCAB mRNA were also identified in an RNA-Seq experiment from human infection studies. In this study, we explore the role of PstSCAB in the biology and colonization potential of C. jejuni. Our results demonstrate that cells lacking PstSCAB survive poorly in stationary phase, in nutrient-limiting media, and under osmotic conditions reflective of those in the chicken. Polyphosphate levels in the mutant cells were elevated at stationary phase, consistent with alterations in expression of polyphosphate metabolism genes. The mutant strain was highly attenuated for colonization of newly hatched chicks, with levels of bacteria at several orders of magnitude below wild-type levels. Mutant and wild type grew similarly in complex media, but the pstS::kan mutant exhibited a significant growth defect in minimal medium supplemented with l-lactate, postulated as a carbon source in vivo. Poor growth in lactate correlated with diminished expression of acetogenesis pathway genes previously demonstrated as important for colonizing chickens. The phosphate transport system is thus essential for diverse aspects of C. jejuni physiology and in vivo fitness and survival. IMPORTANCECampylobacter jejuni causes millions of human gastrointestinal infections annually, with poultry a major source of infection. Due to the emergence of multidrug resistance in C. jejuni, there is need to identify alternative ways to control this pathogen. Genes encoding the high-affinity phosphate transporter PstSCAB are highly expressed by C. jejuni in chickens and humans. In this study, we address the role of PstSCAB on chicken colonization and other C. jejuni phenotypes. PstSCAB is required for colonization in chicken, metabolism and survival under different stress responses, and during growth on lactate, a potential growth substrate in chickens. Our study highlights that PstSCAB may be an effective target to develop mechanisms for controlling bacterial burden in both chicken and human.
Interface for Reproducible, Multishot Direct Analysis of Solid-Phase Microextraction Samples

An enclosed interface that joins a direct analysis in real time (DART) probe, solid-phase microextraction (SPME) fiber, and the inlet of a high-resolution mass spectrometer is described. Unlike other systems to couple SPME sampling to ambient mass spectrometry, the interface is able to perform discrete analyses on different areas of a single SPME fiber device for up to three technical replicate measurements of one sampling event. Inlet flow speed and desorption temperature are optimized, and reproducibility is demonstrated between replicate analyses on the same derivatized SPME fiber and with sequential fiber sampling events, yielding analyte measurement center of variance (CV) from 3 to 6%. Conditioning is also performed with the enclosed DART. The interface is a straightforward addition to commercially available technologies, and machine diagrams for custom components operated with SPME/DART/MS equipment are included.
What is Fair in Groundwater Allocation? Distributive and Procedural Fairness Perceptions of California’s Sustainable Groundwater Management Act

Fairness perceptions can contribute to trust or distrust in a policy process. Under California’s Sustainable Groundwater Management Act (SGMA) basins may limit groundwater extraction for users, inc...
Chapter 3 – Data Modeling

Publisher Summary This chapter focuses on the conceptual or logical design of a database. The data model provides a representation of the entities in the enterprise, the attributes of those entities, and the relationships that exist among those entities. An important task for the design team, during the design of a database application, is to provide themselves with an abstract representation of the data on which the application is to be based. This abstract representation should be independent of how the data are stored and manipulated in the computer. The chapter also describes Chen's entity–relationship (E–R) modeling technique as the foundation of the principles for data modeling. The E–R modeling approach focuses on three aspects of data: entity sets, attributes, and relationships among entity sets. The E–R model is a conceptual model and does not depend on any particular hardware or software. The E–R modeling methodology is the basis for other formats that are used for designing data models in industry.
Acceleration of the Breeding Program for Winter Wheat

Under the conditions of a changing climate, an increasing population and evolution by plant diseases to overcome disease resistance, there is a need for plant breeders to have the means for quick adaptation in new crop varieties. This report describes two approaches that can help plant breeders hasten cultivar development for winter wheat. Doubled haploidy (DH) methodology using isolated microspores, suitable for a wide range of genotypes, has been developed and is described. This method can produce up to 276 green plantlets per spike. Doubled haploidy, which provides homozygous lines in one generation, can be used to reduce the time to release a cultivar by at least 3 years. Accelerated breeding, which utilizes prolonged day length and embryo rescue to preclude seed maturation, as well as other stressors, has been shown to reduce the generation time of winter wheat to 16–18 weeks. It can be used for the introgression of traits in combination with modern genomic breeding approaches. It shows the potential to reduce the development of cultivars using six generations of backcrossing with gene introgression by 2 years. Both DH methodology and accelerated/speed breeding are being used now to develop new cultivars.
The Rise of the (Mc)Circular Economy

The circular economy (CE) has become a key sustainability strategy, offering exciting pathways to convert critical environmental challenges into business opportunities that are grounded in innovation, new business models, and disruptive technologies. This chapter reviews the premise of the CE, pointing to the challenges that pursuing this strategy may have as long as it is subjected to sustainability-as-usual. Examining the opportunities and challenges of the CE on different levels (product, business model, company), the chapter focuses on the CE’s proposition of decoupling growth of economic activity from the consumption of finite resources. Three main approaches to the CE and decoupling are then presented: the skeptics’, the champions’, and those seeing the CE as a steppingstone to more effective strategies. After reviewing the missing social dimension in the CE, the chapter moves to discuss how sustainability-as-usual impacts the CE, and why the former could lead the latter to evolve into what I describe as the “McCircular economy.”
Recursive Feasibility Guided Optimal Parameter Adaptation of Differential Convex Optimization Policies for Safety-Critical Systems.

Quadratic programs (QPs) that enforce control barrier functions (CBFs) have become popular for safety-critical control synthesis, in part due to their ease of implementation and constraint specification. The construction of valid CBFs, however, is not straightforward, and for arbitrarily chosen parameters of the QP, the system trajectories may enter states at which the QP either eventually becomes infeasible, or may not achieve desired performance. In this work, we pose the control synthesis problem as a differential policy whose parameters are optimized for performance over a time horizon at high level, thus resulting in a bi-level optimization routine. In the absence of knowledge of the set of feasible parameters, we develop a Recursive Feasibility Guided Gradient Descent approach for updating the parameters of QP so that the new solution performs at least as well as previous solution. By considering the dynamical system as a directed graph over time, this work presents a novel way of optimizing performance of a QP controller over a time horizon for multiple CBFs by (1) using the gradient of its solution with respect to its parameters by employing sensitivity analysis, and (2) backpropagating these as well as system dynamics gradients to update parameters while maintaining feasibility of QPs.
Improving Caregiver Confidence in Pediatric Tracheostomy Care Through the Use of Training Dolls

Background: The child with a tracheostomy (trach) represents a medically fragile, high-risk, population. There are many different care aspects caregivers must learn and demonstrate before discharge. Our education process includes a combination of written instructions, classroom session, practice on a manikin, and bedside demonstration. The primary aim was to increase caregiver confidence in skills by providing a training doll for skills practice. The secondary aim was to evaluate the impact of the dolls on time to complete training and length of stay (LOS). Methods: Caregivers of children undergoing trach training were provided a modified plastic doll with trach tube the first week after trach placement to practice skills. At that time caregivers have written information and are able to practice skills hands-on (except trach change) with bedside staff prior to the classroom session. Questionnaires were utilized to assess caregiver confidence in skills. The first survey was given at the time of the classroom session and the second was given after training completion. Survey domains included use of the doll, skills practiced, and confidence with each skill. A retrospective and prospective chart review of children with a newly placed trach compared outcomes with and without training dolls. Chart data included demographics, diagnosis, ventilator requirement, trach placement, classroom session, length of time to complete training, and length of stay. Retrospective data included children with trach placement in 2019, caregivers completed training and did not receive a doll. Prospective data were those with trach placement in 2020–2021 and received a training doll. Results: The study included 55 children (27 with training dolls, 28 without). The majority in both groups were male, ventilator dependent, and had bronchopulmonary dysplasia. Doll questionnaires were completed by caregivers of 12 (44%) children. Most utilized the doll to practice skills. Confidence was increased from the first to second survey for trach change and resuscitation bag use. Length of time to complete training was 3.6 ± 1.9 months (no doll) and 3.1 ± 1.5 months (doll) (P = .18). LOS was 6.9 ± 4.5 months (no doll) and 5.1 ± 3.8 months (doll) (P = .09). Conclusions: Tracheostomy training dolls seemed to help improve caregiver confidence with some skills. Multi-modal education may assist with individual caregiver learning needs and preferences. Time to complete training and LOS were not significantly changed with use of the dolls.
A Bounded mean oscillation (BMO) theorem for small distorted diffeomorphisms from $\mathbb R^D$ to $\mathbb R^D$ and PDE

This announcement considers the following problem. We produce a bounded mean oscillation theorem for small distorted diffeomorphisms from $\mathbb R^D$ to $\mathbb R^D$. A revision of this announcement is in the memoir preprint: arXiv: 2103.09748, [1], submitted for consideration for publication.
Sugar polymers exacerbate lung GVHD

In this issue of Blood, Uryu et al demonstrate that recognition of a fungal cell wall component, α-mannan (Mn), an Mn (sugar) polymer, by the C-type lectin receptor Dectin-2 on host macrophages leads to a lung chemokine environment conducive to donor T helper (Th)17 accumulation resulting in severe pulmonary graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) following allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT). These findings shed new light on a long-standing gap in our understanding of the mechanistic link between infections, specifically fungal, and GVHD severity following allo-HSCT.
The Study Module

The Study Module is the heart of the RX algorithm for deriving knowledge from databases. It takes as input a causal hypothesis obtained either from the Discovery Module or interactively from a researcher. It then generates a medically and statistically plausible model of the hypothesis that it analyzes on appropriate data from the database. Results that are medically and statistically significant are then encoded by it into the RX knowledge base.
Depositional Behavior of Kaolinite in Turbulent Flow

An experimental investigation, utilizing an apparatus consisting of an annular-rotating channel and a counterrotating ring, of the depositional characteristics of a fine, cohesive sediment revealed that after an initial period of rapid deposition, the sediment concentration approaches asymptotically an equilibrium value. The ratio of this equilibrium concentration to the initial concentration is nearly independent of initial concentration, and for given sediment properties and water chemistry depends only on the flow conditions. For the three water depths investigated, the ratio of equilibrium to initial concentration was found to be a single function of an average shear stress around the channel-section perimeter. A comparison of the size distributions of the parent material with the material retained in suspension when equilibrium was achieved indicated that greatest deposition occurs among the clay-size fractions, suggesting that the deposition is controlled predominantly by flocculation, and that the strength and size of the flocs exert a stronger influence on the deposition than does the initial particle weight. A silty-clay sediment with a mean particle diameter of 0.0009 mm was used in all experiments.
Possible link between irrigation in the U.S. High Plains and increased summer streamflow in the Midwest

We have previously presented evidence that higher rates of evapotranspiration (ET) associated with irrigation in the U.S. High Plains has likely caused an increased downwind precipitation (P). July P over the Midwest increased by 20%-30% from the pre-irrigation period (1900-1950) to the post-irrigation (1950-2000) period. In this study, we test the hypothesis that the increased July P has had hydrologic consequences, possibly increasing groundwater storage and streamflow. Seasonal analyses of hydrologic variables over Illinois suggest that the water table and streamflow response lags P - ET by 1-2 months, indicating August and September as the months when the increased July P may be detected. We analyzed long-term observations of water table depth at 10 wells in Illinois and streamflow at 46 gauges in Illinois-Ohio basins. The Mann-Kendal test for trends suggests field significant increases in groundwater storage and streamflow in August-September over the period of irrigation expansion. Examination of soil moisture response to present-day above-normal July P suggests that the increased July P can reach the water table in normal to wet years. Mann-Kendall tests suggest that there has been no change in pan evaporation and atmospheric vapor pressure deficit. This implies that soil water availability is the driver of changes in ET, and the increased P may have possibly increased ET. Other studies in the literature give further evidence of increased ET due to increased P. By ruling out a reduction in ET, we suggest that the observed increase in groundwater storage and streamflow in the Midwest is linked to the increased July precipitation attributed to High Plains irrigation. We note that the increases in late summer streamflow are rather small when placed in the context of seasonal dynamics, but they are conceptually important in that they point to a different cause of change.
Communicating feelings: Links between mothers' representations of their infants, parenting, and infant emotional development

In the present chapter we explore how mothers' internal working models of their seven-month-old infants organize emotions in the parenting context, and ultimately, influence infant emotion regulation. We propose that mothers' internal working models of their infants function as emotion regulators, and influence a variety of components of the affective organization of parenting, including a) maternal emotion activation, b) qualities of maternal emotional engagement with their infants, and c) emotion regulation strategies mothers employ during emotionally challenging interactions. Results underscore the important role played by emotional processes in explaining the correspondence between maternal and infant emotion regulation strategies. The relationship with a primary caregiver is the emotional cocoon from which the infant's social and emotional self develops and emerges. Developmentalists from a range of theoretical perspectives have underscored the centrality of the parent-infant relationship for early infant emotional development and emphasize the belief that parent-infant interaction during the earliest months may serve as the foundation for the differentiation of the self (Fonagy, 1999; Mahler, Pine, & Bergman, 1975; Sameroff & Emde, 1989; Winnicott, 1965). In other words, the self is born out of relationships and develops as part of, and within, a specific relational context. Relationships are inherently affective bonds between individuals, and thus, not surprisingly, affective processes play a central role in the attachment and caregiving behavioral systems. For example, during infancy emotional stimuli (e.g., fear reactions/distress) trigger the need for proximity seeking, and infant attachment security reflects, at least in part, the ability to express both positive and negative emotion in the presence of the primary attachment
On becoming decreasingly reactive: learning to deliberate minimally

This paper describes the Minimal Deliberation (MD) approach, an integrated approach to learning and planning. In this approach, an agent acts reactively by default. However, in cases where shortsighted behavior causes failures, the system analyzes the failures to determine the goals for which deliberation is needed. The system then constructs a plan for these goals, leaving the other goals to be achieved by the reactive component. This process uses explanation–based learning, and thus from a single example, the system learns to avoid a general class of failures caused by the reactive component. The learning process continues until either a successful plan is generated or the system is unable to construct a classical plan for the current deliberative set of goals (i.e. the problem is unsolvable). By introducing deliberation minimally, the MD approach maintains some of the strengths of reactivity, including flexibility and reduced reasoning costs. At the same time, by allowing the system to fall back upon deliberative planning and use explanation–based learning, the system is able to avoid repeating errors caused by short–sighted reactivity.