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A metagenomic analysis was performed on a soil profile from a wet tundra site in northern Alaska. The goal was to link existing biogeochemical knowledge of the system with the organisms and genes responsible for the relevant metabolic pathways. We specifically investigated how the importance of iron (Fe) oxides and humic substances (HS) as terminal electron acceptors in this ecosystem is expressed genetically, and how respiratory and fermentative processes varied with soil depth into the active layer and into the upper permafrost. Overall, the metagenomes reflected a microbial community enriched in a diverse range of anaerobic pathways, with a preponderance of known Fe reducing species at all depths in the profile. The abundance of sequences associated with anaerobic metabolic processes generally increased with depth, while aerobic cytochrome c oxidases decreased. Methanogenesis genes and methanogen genomes followed the pattern of CH4 fluxes: they increased steeply with depth into the active layer, but declined somewhat over the transition zone between the lower active layer and the upper permafrost. The latter was relatively enriched in fermentative and anaerobic respiratory pathways. A survey of decaheme cytochromes (MtrA, MtrC and their homologs) revealed that this is a promising approach to identifying potential reducers of Fe(III) or HS, and indicated a possible role for Acidobacteria as Fe reducers in these soils. Methanogens appear to coexist in the same layers, though in lower abundance, with Fe reducing bacteria and other potential competitors, including acetogens. These observations provide a rich set of hypotheses for further targeted study.

Aim: While paradigms of macroecology are challenged by the high rates of reproduction, dispersal and horizontal gene exchange of bacterial communities, environmental DNA sequencing makes community profiles accessible. We test fundamental hypotheses of macroecological theories, showing that both taxonomic and functional classifications have distinct biogeographical variation across distance and environments depending on trophic composition. Location: Studies spanning the global oceans. Methods: Taxonomic and functional profiles were obtained from metagenomes and were compared across océanographie regions and tested for patterns of co-occurrence. The influences of sampling method (filter size), environmental variables and geographical distribution were compared with distance-based linear models to test predictors of taxonomic and functional composition. Macroecological drivers were compared with bacterial community structure to test four biogeographical hypotheses: (1) no biogeographical patterns, (2) community structure reflects environmental dissimilarity, (3) community structure reflects distance, (4) community structure reflects environment and distance. Results: Bacterial families were clustered into four trophic groups - phototrophic, oligotrophic, eutrophic and copiotrophic - by changes in abundance across oceanographie regions and co-occurrence with core functions. Changes in community composition were best modelled by longitude for free-living communities and dissolved oxygen for mixed communities of free-living and particle-associated bacteria. Both microhabitat and community assignment had an impact on biogeographical patterns, with taxonomic compositions following our hypotheses 2 and 4 and functional gene compositions following hypotheses 3 and 4. Main conclusions: We described four trophic groups adding to the current dichotomy of the classification of marine bacteria as oligotrophic or copiotrophic. Taxonomic composition of mixed communities reflected environmental differences but not geographical distance, whereas functional gene composition in free-living communities was independent of environmental dissimilarity and reflected geographical distance. Patterns of biogeography in bacterial communities differed depending on the description of taxa or function. Therefore, we developed a new paradigm for bacterial ecology which shows that some aspects of bacterial evolution depend on trophic complexity, history and current environmental conditions.

Objectives/Goals: Competencies of a principal investigator (PI) in clinical research are crucial for ensuring the success, integrity, and ethical conduct of a study. This protocol aims to assess training offerings focused on improving clinical investigator competency and build a set of best practices for training. Methods/Study Population: The authors have started by creating a committed group of key opinion leaders at Rutgers Health and across industry to advise on the process. A mixed-method assessment of the current state of clinical investigator training/education in the conduct of T1-T4 clinical trials is currently being conducted to identify existing practices. An evaluation and assessment of key competencies will be initiated. Education and training objectives and modules will subsequently be developed from this process. The program will be piloted to early career clinicians, faculty, fellows, investigators within NJACTS, and other CTSAs and later assessed for efficacy. Results/Anticipated Results: A summary and descriptive statistics of the landscape of training opportunities and the variabilities of these offerings to address the needs of these investigators is projected to exhibit the gaps in knowledge and skill set required for a PI to effectively conduct a clinical trial. This will serve as the basis for developing a micro-credential (PI Badge) by the NJACTS’ Workforce Development group. Variability across educational offerings from academic institutions, sponsor/CRO protocol/study training, and online courses may not foster applicable skills. This badge is focused on addressing a clinician’s understanding of the roles and responsibilities as they align to the Principal Investigator commitments listed in the FDA form 1572. Discussion/Significance of Impact: Whether or not micro credentialing will enhance principal investigator competency, this mixed-method assessment is poised to identify a common benchmark for success. The ability to deal with increasing protocol complexity requires investigators to be more adept at implementation and compliance to sustain their ability to conduct clinical trials.

Background The vertebrate clade diverged into Chondrichthyes (sharks, rays, and chimeras) and Osteichthyes fishes (bony fishes) approximately 420 mya, with each group accumulating vast anatomical and physiological differences, including skin properties. The skin of Chondrichthyes fishes is covered in dermal denticles, whereas Osteichthyes fishes are covered in scales and are mucous rich. The divergence time among these two fish groups is hypothesized to result in predictable variation among symbionts. Here, using shotgun metagenomics, we test if patterns of diversity in the skin surface microbiome across the two fish clades match predictions made by phylosymbiosis theory. We hypothesize (1) the skin microbiome will be host and clade-specific, (2) evolutionary difference in elasmobranch and teleost will correspond with a concomitant increase in host-microbiome dissimilarity, and (3) the skin structure of the two groups will affect the taxonomic and functional composition of the microbiomes. Results We show that the taxonomic and functional composition of the microbiomes is host-specific. Teleost fish had lower average microbiome within clade similarity compared to among clade comparison, but their composition is not different among clade in a null based model. Elasmobranch’s average similarity within clade was not different than across clade and not different in a null based model of comparison. In the comparison of host distance with microbiome distance, we found that the taxonomic composition of the microbiome was related to host distance for the elasmobranchs, but not the teleost fishes. In comparison, the gene function composition was not related to the host-organism distance for elasmobranchs but was negatively correlated with host distance for teleost fishes. Conclusion Our results show the patterns of phylosymbiosis are not consistent across both fish clades, with the elasmobranchs showing phylosymbiosis, while the teleost fish are not. The discrepancy may be linked to alternative processes underpinning microbiome assemblage, including possible historical host-microbiome evolution of the elasmobranchs and convergent evolution in the teleost which filter specific microbial groups. Our comparison of the microbiomes among fishes represents an investigation into the microbial relationships of the oldest divergence of extant vertebrate hosts and reveals that microbial relationships are not consistent across evolutionary timescales. DpgiHNVSZf5je59RqFcVvw Video abstract

Prompt identification and treatment of true dermatologic emergencies is essential in emergency medicine, especially in vulnerable populations such as pediatric patients. This is a case of a three-year-old female who presented with significant dehydration in the setting of a desquamating skin rash diagnosed in our emergency department as staphylococcal scalded skin syndrome.

Saltwater aquaria are living systems that support a complex biological community of fish, invertebrates, and microbes. The health and maintenance of saltwater tanks are pressing concerns for home hobbyists, zoos, and professionals in the aquarium trade; however, we do not yet understand the underlying microbial species interactions and community dynamics which contribute to tank setup and conditioning. This report provides a detailed view of ecological succession and changes in microbial community assemblages in two saltwater aquaria which were sampled over a 3-month period, from initial tank setup and conditioning with “live rocks” through subsequent tank cleanings and water replacement. Our results showed that microbial succession appeared to be consistent and replicable across both aquaria. However, changes in microbial communities did not always correlate with water chemistry measurements, and aquarium microbial communities appear to have shifted among multiple stable states without any obvious buildup of undesirable nitrogen compounds in the tank environment. Although aquaria are common features of homes and other buildings, little is known about how environmental perturbations (i.e., tank cleaning, water changes, addition of habitat features) impact the diversity and succession of aquarium microbial communities. In this study, we sought to evaluate the hypotheses that newly established aquaria show clear microbial successional patterns over time and that common marine aquarium-conditioning practices, such as the addition of ocean-derived “live rocks” (defined as any “dead coral skeleton covered with crustose coralline algae” transferred into an aquarium from open ocean habitats) impact the diversity of microbial populations as well as nitrogen cycling in aquaria. We collected water chemistry data alongside water and sediment samples from two independent and newly established saltwater aquaria over a 3-month period. Microbial communities in samples were assessed by DNA extraction, amplification of the 16S rRNA gene, and Illumina MiSeq sequencing. Our results showed clear and replicable patterns of community succession in both aquaria, with the existence of multiple stable states for aquarium microbial assemblages. Notably, our results show that changes in aquarium microbial communities do not always correlate with water chemistry measurements and that operational taxonomic unit (OTU)-level patterns relevant to nitrogen cycling were not reported as statistically significant. Overall, our results demonstrate that aquarium perturbations have a substantial impact on microbial community profiles of aquarium water and sediment and that the addition of live rocks improves nutrient cycling by shifting aquarium communities toward a more typical saltwater assemblage of microbial taxa. IMPORTANCE Saltwater aquaria are living systems that support a complex biological community of fish, invertebrates, and microbes. The health and maintenance of saltwater tanks are pressing concerns for home hobbyists, zoos, and professionals in the aquarium trade; however, we do not yet understand the underlying microbial species interactions and community dynamics which contribute to tank setup and conditioning. This report provides a detailed view of ecological succession and changes in microbial community assemblages in two saltwater aquaria which were sampled over a 3-month period, from initial tank setup and conditioning with “live rocks” through subsequent tank cleanings and water replacement. Our results showed that microbial succession appeared to be consistent and replicable across both aquaria. However, changes in microbial communities did not always correlate with water chemistry measurements, and aquarium microbial communities appear to have shifted among multiple stable states without any obvious buildup of undesirable nitrogen compounds in the tank environment.

Drawing on second language (L2) motivation constructs modelled on Dörnyei’s (2009) L2 Motivational Self System, this study explores the relationship between language testing experience and the motivation to learn English among young adolescents (aged 12–15) in South Korea. A 40-item questionnaire was administered to middle-school students ( N  = 341) enrolled in a private language school ( hakwan ). Exploratory factor analysis (EFA) identified five salient L2 motivation factors. These factors were compared to four learner-background characteristics: gender, grade level, L2 test-preparation time, and experience taking a high-stakes university-level language test. The results suggest that second language motivation, based on the L2 motivation factors identified as most salient in this educational context, was significantly associated with the amount of time spent preparing for language tests and experience taking a high-stakes language test intended primarily for university-entrance purposes. Young South Korean adolescent learners’ testing experiences and their motivation to learn English are discussed in relation to the social consequences of test use and ethical assessment practices.

Historians are increasingly using networks as an analytical framework. However, recent research has stressed the inherent problems with networks, including networking institutions. Historians therefore have to consider why and in what ways actors do, or did, engage with networks. This article posits a novel interdisciplinary methodology by bringing together regression analysis, visual analytics, and history to analyze actors’ relationships with an institution rather than with one another. This methodology, illustrated by the case study of the Liverpool African Committee, from 1750 to 1810, demonstrates that actors’ relationships with an institution may be affective or instrumental, reflecting different relationships with and uses of the network. Moreover, actors’ relationships with an institution are not static and change over time. The methodology and case study presented in this article suggest a reassessment of the understanding of metropolitan business networking institutions to reflect the complexity of their use.

Much progress has been made with regard to theory building and application in the field of Strategic Human Resource Management (HRM) since Wright and McMahan's (1992) critical review. While researchers have increasingly investigated the impact of HR on economic success within the Resource Based view of the firm, and have developed more middle level theories regarding the processes through which HR impacts firm performance, much work still needs to be done. This paper examines how future theorizing in SHRM should explore the concepts of time, cause, and individuals. Such consideration will drive more longitudinal research, more complex causal models, and consideration of multi-level phenomena. [PUBLICATION ABSTRACT]

Mistress of my heart, irradiated queen of the desert, alien oasis, black-budget fever dream, ghost town of the future, sheepdog disco, heart of America. [...]the sheepdog parable made me see the town of Rachel in a different light. Because without sheepdogs, the culture of sheepdogs, the passion of sheepdogs, Rachel would probably not exist.