Priorities, opportunities, and challenges for integrating microorganisms into Earth system models for climate change prediction.

Climate change jeopardizes human health, global biodiversity, and sustainability of the biosphere. To make reliable predictions about climate change, scientists use Earth system models (ESMs) that integrate physical, chemical, and biological processes occurring on land, the oceans, and the atmosphere. Although critical for catalyzing coupled biogeochemical processes, microorganisms have traditionally been left out of ESMs. Here, we generate a "top 10" list of priorities, opportunities, and challenges for the explicit integration of microorganisms into ESMs. We discuss the need for coarse-graining microbial information into functionally relevant categories, as well as the capacity for microorganisms to rapidly evolve in response to climate-change drivers. Microbiologists are uniquely positioned to collect novel and valuable information necessary for next-generation ESMs, but this requires data harmonization and transdisciplinary collaboration to effectively guide adaptation strategies and mitigation policy.

Testicular self-examination: attitudes and practices among young men in Europe.

BACKGROUND: Testicular self examination (TSE) is recommended for the early detection of testicular cancer. Evidence from North America suggests there is only limited public awareness of its importance among the young male population. Compliance with regular TSE is found in only a small minority of young men. Attitudes toward and practice of TSE have rarely been studied outside North America. METHOD: Attitudes to TSE were evaluated by questionnaire in a sample of 16,486 students. Frequency of TSE practice was reported by the 7,304 men in the sample. The data were collected as part of the European Health Behavior Survey, an international study on health beliefs and health behavior. RESULTS: Eighty-seven percent of men reported never having practiced TSE. Regular practice (monthly) was reported by only 3% of the sample, with another 10% reporting occasional TSE. Significant differences emerged between countries, ranging from 76% of German men to 98% of Icelandic men reporting no TSE. Men rated TSE as less important to health than women. Attitude toward TSE among men was a significant predictor of TSE practice. CONCLUSION: Both the low levels of TSE and the low ratings of the importance of TSE suggest that young men in Europe are unaware of the value of this comparatively simple method of early detection of cancer. If a highly educated population group in the "at risk" age category is not carrying out the recommendations, it is unlikely that there are higher levels of compliance in other groups. These results suggest an important role for health education in the early detection of testicular cancer.

[The stereognathograph PC--test results with the new version of the device]. / Der Stereognathograph PC--Testergebnisse der neuen Geräteversion.

The PC stereognathograph was investigated for measurement errors in laboratory experiments on an optical bench as well as on an articulator. The values obtained were compared with the data of the predecessor model. A substantial reduction in the linearity in transverse measurements has been effected, so that these are now within acceptable limits. A variation of linearity factors which can be avoided by electronic fine adjustment still arises owing to incongruence of the six measurement channels. The hinge axis can be localized very well on the articulator. By and large, the announced correction of the projection error which we have demanded has not been implemented up to now. In view of the clear imaging of condylar movement in space and time on the monitor and the adequate precision of the clinical measurements effected, the PC stereognathograph appears to be a valuable system for instrumental diagnostics.

[The effect of the interocclusal space on temporomandibular recordings. A study with the use of the Stereognathograph PC]. / Uber den Einfluss des Interokklusalabstandes auf das Kiefergelenkregistrat. Eine Studie unter Verwendung des Stereognathographen PC.

1536 recordings of the condylar movement of 32 patients were made by means of the Stereognathograph PC. The test persons performed mediotrusive and protrusive movements. These movements were recorded with tooth contact and with increased interocclusal space, with and without the clinician's supportive guidance. The objective of the study was to analyse the effects of increased interocclusal space on the recording of the condylar path. Statistical evaluation showed that neither procedure has any real advantage over the other. Both, the occlusal tray as well as the paraocclusal tray may, depending on clinical situation of the ligaments, lead to erroneous recordings. The reproducibility of the recording of the condylar path is only slightly decreased by increased interocclusal space. Considering, however, the amount of work involved in each procedure, the occlusally fixated tray should probably be given preference, when there is no intention of recording occlusal guided movements.

[Reproducibility of hinge axis localization by stereognathography]. / Uber die Reproduzierbarkeit der Scharnierachsen-Lokalisation mit dem Stereognathographen.

The program of the Stereognathograph V for localization of the hinge axis has been experimentally verified. Auxiliary recording devices have been mounted on an articulator and the process of localization has been simulated. On an average, the joint axis can be located in the articulator with an accuracy of 0.6 mm. In individual cases, errors may be up to 1.5 mm.

[Error sources in recording three-dimensional mandibular movements. An in vitro study using the V-type stereognathograph]. / Fehler bei der Aufzeichnung von Unterkeiferbewegungen mit dem Stereognathographen V.

The instrument-induced measurement errors in V-type stereognatography have been analyzed. An optical bench was used as a measurement apparatus. In measuring not too small movement distances, the linearity errors remained within acceptable limits. The variations in linearity due to calibration errors were almost negligible. In practical applications, the stereognatography proved to be insensitive to external factors such as type of illumination, room temperature and voltage fluctuations. Factors affecting the effectiveness of the projection error correction system, such as tilting of the filter, different sites of measurement of the six optoelectronic canals, and mandibular protrusion during mediotrusive movements, might be reduced by slight modifications of the measurement system.