cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The Caenorhabditis elegans Choline Transporter CHO-1 Sustains Acetylcholine Synthesis and Motor Function in an Activity-Dependent Manner

Cholinergic neurotransmission supports motor, autonomic, and cognitive function and is compromised in myasthenias, cardiovascular diseases, and neurodegenerative disorders. Presynaptic uptake of choline via the sodium-dependent, hemicholinium-3-sensitive choline transporter (CHT) is believed to sustain acetylcholine (ACh) synthesis and release. Analysis of this hypothesis in vivo is limited in mammals because of the toxicity of CHT antagonists and the early postnatal lethality of CHT-/- mice (Ferguson et al., 2004). In Caenorhabditis elegans, in which cholinergic signaling supports motor activity and mutant alleles impacting ACh secretion and response can be propagated, we investigated the contribution of CHT (CHO-1) to facets of cholinergic neurobiology. Using the cho-1 promoter to drive expression of a translational, green fluorescent protein-CHO-1 fusion (CHO-1:GFP) in wild-type and kinesin (unc-104) mutant backgrounds, we establish in the living nematode that the transporter localizes to cholinergic synapses, and likely traffics on synaptic vesicles. Using embryonic primary cultures, we demonstrate that CHO-1 mediates hemicholinium-3-sensitive, high-affinity choline uptake that can be enhanced with depolarization in a Ca(2+)-dependent manner supporting ACh synthesis. Although homozygous cho-1 null mutants are viable, they possess 40% less ACh than wild-type animals and display stress-dependent defects in motor activity. In a choline-free liquid environment, cho-1 mutants demonstrate premature paralysis relative to wild-type animals. Our findings establish a requirement for presynaptic choline transport activity in vivo in a model amenable to a genetic dissection of CHO-1 regulation.
Autosomal dominant crystalline dystrophy.

Abstract A black woman was identified with a tapetoretinal degeneration with sparkling intraretinal crystals, retinal pigment epithelial and choroidal atrophy, night blindness, color vision abnormalities, and paracentral scotomas. This constellation of findings is most consistent with the diagnosis of Bietti's crystalline dystrophy. Eight other family members were identified with intraretinal crystals similar to those seen in the proband but in varying degrees of progression. Transmission electron microscopy of circulating lymphocytes in several patients demonstrated crystals and granular osmophilic material of unknown composition contained within abnormal lysosomes. These crystals are similar in appearance and location to those seen in cholesterol ester storage disease. This family demonstrates an autosomal dominant inheritance pattern, as well as other differences from classic Bietti's crystalline dystrophy. The authors, therefore, suggest that this new entity be named autosomal dominant crystalline dystrophy.
Intrathalamic rhythmicity studied in vitro: nominal T-current modulation causes robust antioscillatory effects

Thalamocortical oscillations mediate both physiological and pathophysiological behaviors including sleep and generalized absence epilepsy (GA). Reciprocal intrathalamic circuitry and robust burst firing, dependent on underlying transient Ca current (IT) in thalamic neurons, support generation of such rhythms. In order to study the regulation of intrathalamic rhythm generation and the effects of GA anticonvulsants previously shown to reduce IT in acutely isolated thalamic neurons, we developed an in vitro rat thalamic slice preparation that retains sufficient intrathalamic circuitry to support evoked oscillations (range = 2.0-4.6 Hz, average = 2.7, n = 38), associated with burst firing in the thalamic reticular nucleus (nRt) and thalamic relay neurons. Extracellular stimulation of nRt evoked in relay neurons a biphasic inhibitory response with prominent GABAA and GABAB receptor-mediated components. The GABAA component was picrotoxin sensitive, outwardly rectifying and Cl- dependent, with a very negative reversal potential (-94 mV), indicating that an active extrusion mechanism exists in these cells to keep [Cl-]i < 5 mM. The GABAB component had a linear conductance, a reversal potential of -103 mV, and was quite long lasting (about 300 msec) so that rebound bursts often were generated on its decay phase, presumably leading to reexcitation of nRt through known excitatory connections. GABAB-mediated responses thus provide a timing mechanism for promoting slow intrathalamic oscillations. Reduction of IT (30-40%) by succinimides slightly increased the threshold for burst generation in relay and nRt cells, but there was little effect on either number of spikes/burst or intraburst frequency, and there were no other direct effects on other measures of cellular excitability. Intrathalamic oscillations were significantly reduced by these agents through a slight decrease in burst probability of thalamic neurons. We conclude that interactions between the intrinsic properties of thalamic neurons and intrathalamic circuitry lead to generation of slow oscillations. A similar mechanism may underlie the pathophysiological 3 Hz spike and wave EEG activity that characterizes GA. Furthermore, anti-GA drugs such as ethosuximide probably exert their action by reducing the burst-firing probability of neurons within populations of reciprocally interconnected relay and nRt neurons, thus producing a desynchronization of the thalamic circuit that prevents spike/wave generation.
Phonological underspecification and speech motor organisation

Over the last few years, much work in phonology has been devoted to exploring the way features are specified for segments; in particular, to what extent feature specification may be underlyingly present and/or acquired by rule or default in the course of a derivation. While a number of proposals have been made attributing various degrees of underspecification to abstract levels of the phonology (Kiparsky 1985; Steriade 1987; Archangeli 1988), it has been generally assumed that where phonetic implementation comes into play, i.e. at the end of the derivation, segments are exhaustively specified.
Facilitating interactive distributed data stream processing and mining

Summary form only given. The past few years have seen the emergence of application domains that need to process data elements arriving as a continuous stream. Recently, several architectures to process database queries over these data streams have been proposed in the literature. Although these architectures may be suitable for general purpose query processing in a centralized-setting, they have serious limitations when it comes to supporting data mining queries in a distributed-setting. Data mining is an interactive process and it is crucial that we provide the user with interactive response times. In addition, many data mining applications, such as network intrusion detection, need to process data streams arriving at distributed end-points. Centralized processing of data streams for network intrusion detection would be overwhelming. These are fundamental issues for data mining over data streams and have been addressed. Our schemes give controlled interactive response times when processing data streams in a distributed-setting.
Greenhouse effect, sea level rise, and barrier Islands: Case study of long beach Island, New Jersey

Abstract Increasing atmospheric concentrations of carbon dioxide and other gases are expected to cause a global warming that could raise sea level a few feet in the next century. This article examines four options by which barrier‐island communities could respond, focusing on Long Beach Island, New Jersey. For the next few decades, the most common response will probably be to raise the islands in place by pumping sand into beaches and building lots. Eventually, as costs increase, many communities may accept a gradual landward retreat. Nevertheless, federal agencies that encourage risky development, state agencies that discourage it, residents who feel entitled to subsidized coastal protection, and environmentalists insensitive to constitutional property rights will all have to compromise for a rational solution to be conceivable. Local officials on barrier islands should begin to hold public meetings to develop a public consensus on the appropriate response to sea level rise.
Workers' Participation in Management, Workers' Control of Production: Worlds Apart

For several decades workers’ participation in management was a persistent demand of the left. In the neoliberal era it became, in a twisted way, a reality for some workers. Team organization of pro...
The Insulinotropic Effect of Endogenous Gastric Inhibitory Polypeptide in Normal Subjects

Intravenously administered porcine GIP is insulinotropic in man. This study was designed to investigate the effects of simultaneous fat ingestion, a potent stimulus for GIP release, and intravenous glucose infusion upon endogenous serum GIP and insulin concentrations in normal subjects. Seven normal volunteers were studied on three separate occasions following: a) the ingestion of 67 grams of emulsified com oil, b) constant intravenous infusion of glucose, and c) simultaneous administration of com oil and glucose as in parts (a) and (b) of the study. Serum glucose, insulin (IRI), and GIP concentrations were measured at intervals between 15 and 180 minutes following each stimulus. With corn oil, mean serum GIP concentrations increased from a fasting level of 290 ± 40 (SE) pg/ml to 1936 ± 402 pg/ml at 60 minutes without a significant change in serum IRI or glucose concentrations. The infusion of intravenous glucose alone was associated with no rise in serum GIP levels despite a substantial increase in serum...
A SUICIDE VECTOR FOR CONSTRUCTING A LYSA INSERTION MUTATION IN ESCHERICHIA COLI

The objective of this study was to construct an insertion mutation in the lysA gene of Escherichia coli and investigate the effect of the insertion mutation on the growth rate response. The lysA gene encodes the last enzyme in the lysine biosynthetic pathway in most bacteria. A suicide plasmid pXL1 carrying a segment of the lysA sequence was transformed into E. coli SM10 that is lysogenic for λ pir. The plasmid was extracted from the transformant and confirmed to contain the segment of lysA by restriction enzyme digestion. After this confirmation, pXL1 was transferred by conjugation to an E. coli strain that cannot support replication of the plasmid. Maintenance of the selectable drug marker on the plasmid requires that the plasmid integrate into the chromosome at the lysA locus. The constructed mutant could grow in the absence of lysine supplementation although its growth rate was significantly (P < 0.05) depressed when compared to the parent strain.
Mechanisms Underlying Blockade of Allograft Acceptance by TLR Ligands

Immune activation via TLRs is known to prevent transplantation tolerance in multiple animal models. To investigate the mechanisms underlying this barrier to tolerance induction, we used complementary murine models of skin and cardiac transplantation in which prolonged allograft acceptance is either spontaneous or pharmacologically induced with anti-CD154 mAb and rapamycin. In each model, we found that prolonged allograft survival requires the presence of natural CD4+Foxp3+ T regulatory cells (Tregs), and that the TLR9 ligand CpG prevents graft acceptance both by interfering with natural Treg function and by promoting the differentiation of Th1 effector T cells in vivo. We further demonstrate that although Th17 cells differentiate from naive alloreactive T cells, these cells do not arise from natural Tregs in either CpG-treated or untreated graft recipients. Finally, we show that CpG impairs natural Treg suppressor capability and prevents Treg-dependent allograft acceptance in an IL-6-independent fashion. Our data therefore suggest that TLR signals do not prevent prolonged graft acceptance by directing natural Tregs into the Th17 lineage or by using other IL-6-dependent mechanisms. Instead, graft destruction results from the ability of CpG to drive Th1 differentiation and interfere with immunoregulation established by alloreactive natural CD4+Foxp3+ Tregs.
Beneficial effects of soluble epoxide hydrolase inhibitors in myocardial infarction model: Insight gained using metabolomic approaches

Myocardial infarction (MI) leading to myocardial cell loss represents one of the common causes leading to cardiac failure. We have previously demonstrated the beneficial effects of several potent soluble epoxide hydrolase (sEH) inhibitors in cardiac hypertrophy. sEH catalizes the conversion of epoxyeicosatrienoic acids (EETs) to form the corresponding dihydroxyeicosatrienoic acids (DHETs). EETs are products of cytochrome P450 epoxygenases that have vasodilatory properties. Additionally, EETs inhibit the activation of nuclear factor (NF)-kappaB-mediated gene transcription. Motivated by the potential to uncover a new class of therapeutic agents for cardiovascular diseases which can be effectively used in clinical setting, we directly tested the biological effects of sEH inhibitors (sEHIs) on the progression of cardiac remodeling using a clinically relevant murine model of MI. We demonstrated that sEHIs were highly effective in the prevention of progressive cardiac remodeling post MI. Using metabolomic profiling of the inflammatory lipid mediators, we documented a significant decrease in EETs/DHETs ratio in MI model predicting a heightened inflammatory state. Treatment with sEHIs resulted in a change in the pattern of lipid mediators from one of inflammation towards resolution. Moreover, the oxylipin profiling showed a striking parallel to the changes in inflammatory cytokines in this model. Our study provides evidence for a possible new therapeutic strategy to improve cardiac function post MI.
Selected Diagnosed Chronic Conditions by Sexual Orientation: A National Study of US Adults, 2013.

INTRODUCTION Research is needed on chronic health conditions among lesbian, gay, and bisexual populations. The objective of this study was to examine 10 diagnosed chronic conditions, and multiple (≥2) chronic conditions (MCC), by sexual orientation among US adults. METHODS The 2013 National Health Interview Survey was used to generate age-adjusted prevalence rates and adjusted odds ratios of diagnosed chronic conditions and MCC for civilian, noninstitutionalized US adults who identified as gay/lesbian, straight, or bisexual, and separately for men and women. Chronic conditions were selected for this study on the basis of previous research. RESULTS Hypertension and arthritis were the most prevalent conditions for all groups. Gay/lesbian adults had a 4.7 percentage-point higher prevalence of cancer than bisexual adults, and a 5.6 percentage-point higher prevalence of arthritis and a 2.9 percentage point higher prevalence of hepatitis than straight adults. The prevalence of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease was 8.1 percentage points higher among bisexual adults than among gay/lesbian adults and 7.0 percentage points higher than among straight adults. These differences remained in the multivariate analyses. Additional differences were found in the sex-stratified analyses. No significant differences were found in MCC by sexual orientation. CONCLUSION After age adjustment and controlling for sociodemographic characteristics, only a few significant health disparities for diagnosed chronic conditions were found by sexual orientation, and none for MCC. However, for conditions where differences were found, magnitudes were relatively large. Further examination of these differences among gay/lesbian and bisexual adults could yield a better understanding of why these disparities exist.
Rapid sequence acquisition for DS/CDMA systems employing Kasami sequences

A sequence acquisition scheme based on sequential estimation and soft-decision combining methods is proposed and analyzed for direct-sequence CDMA systems employing Kasami sequences. The proposed technique is effective for Kasami (1987) sequences having very long periods. The algebraic properties of Kasami sequences are exploited to provide a very reliable estimate of the correct phase of the local shift register before tracking is attempted. This estimate is obtained by generating and combining multiple statistics for each chip that comprises the initial phase estimate. Expressions are derived for the mean and variance of the acquisition time, and the probabilities of acquisition, false dismissal, and false alarm. The proposed scheme compares well with the performance of alternative parallel acquisition schemes. >
A Research Metasynthesis on Digital Video Composing in Classrooms An Evidence-Based Framework Toward a Pedagogy for Embodied Learning

Calls for research documenting outcomes of new literacy practices in school (e.g., Moje, 2009) focus on the need for understanding adolescents’ experiences, what they learn about content, about literacy practices, and about their identities and positions in the world. This metasynthesis of findings from 27 qualitative studies of digital video (DV) composing in secondary schools involved 97 teachers and 135 students as focal participants in ethnographic, case, and grounded theory studies. The focus was on the body of research completed in a mature DV composing project based in sociocultural learning theories, including New Literacies and social semiotics. Following teachers out of professional development on using DV composing as a curricular learning tool into their classrooms and then analyzing across the studies provided trends in contexts for student learning. Following the analytic processes of extracting, categorizing, and translating outlined by Sandelowski and Barroso (2007), six themes were reveal...
SELF-REINFORCEMENT, GENDER-ROLE, AND SEX OF PARTICIPANT IN PREDICTION OF LIFE SATISFACTION '

There have been conflicting results regarding sex differences and gender role in predicting life satisfaction and no research assessing the relationship between life satisfaction and self-reinforcement. These relationships were evaluated by administering to 182 undergraduates the Bern Sex Role Inventory, the Satisfaction with Life Scale, and the Frequency of Self-reinforcement Questionnaire. A regression analysis showed significant effects for self-reinforcement and gender role in the prediction of life satisfaction. No main effect was found for sex of participant and there were no significant interactions. Scores on measures of self-reinforcement and life satisfaction were moderately correlated.
Issue Advertising and Legislative Advocacy

Issue advertising counts for a substantial and growing share of interest group spending on political advocacy, but systematic research on the subject is thin. We begin from the general premise that outside lobbying is a product of inside strategy, but we assume that inside ends are as much about mobilizing allies as creating new ones. Our analysis of state-level television advertisements broadcast during Senate consideration of the Medicare Modernization Act of 2003 supports this view. We find clear evidence that issue advertising targeted the states of Senate allies throughout the process. But in the period leading up to the conference report and final passage interest groups target the states of pivotal senators. We also find, consistent with general treatments of outside lobbying, that interest groups locate their advertising buys in areas where the issue is likely to be salient and the group’s position is likely to be popular.
The Effect of Audit Review Format on the Quality of Workpaper Documentation and Reviewer Judgments

The promulgation of PCAOB Audit Standard No. 3 (2004) highlights the recent focus on workpaper documentation quality and its influence on audit quality. Our study examines how the mode of audit workpaper review affects reviewer judgments through its influence on workpaper documentation. Due to technological advancements such as email and electronic workpapers, firms can now perform workpaper review electronically as well as through a more traditional face-to-face approach. Recent research has found that review mode can affect the judgments of auditors preparing the workpapers (Brazel et al., 2004). Our study extends the literature by examining the extent to which review mode (electronic vs. face-to-face) affects the quality of documentation in the workpapers and whether reviewers are able to discern and compensate for these documentation quality issues. We propose a model which predicts that the relationship between the method of review and reviewer judgment quality is mediated by the documentation quality assessment gap (i.e., actual versus reviewer assessments of documentation quality). Such a mediation model provides insight into why the review format affects reviewer judgment quality. Consistent with expectations, we find that preparers of workpapers who were anticipating an electronic review provided lower quality documentation than preparers expecting a face-to-face review. As predicted by our mediation model, we find that the effect of review mode on reviewer judgments is mediated by the documentation quality assessment gap. Specifically, when the mode of review was electronic, reviewers were unable to recognize the lower quality documentation, resulting in lower quality judgments compared to when the mode of review was face-to-face. These results suggest that the effect of review mode persists to the reviewer's judgment through its influence on documentation quality.
Athletics in Secondary Schools

(1903). Athletics in Secondary Schools. American Physical Education Review: Vol. 8, No. 2, pp. 57-69.
Now, later, or not at all: personal and situational factors impacting burglars’ target choices

AbstractThis study utilized hierarchical linear modeling to examine both situational factors and personal traits that influence burglars’ target selections. One unique aspect of this research was an assessment of the differences between immediate burglary (where a home is chosen and entered) and delayed burglary (where a home is chosen, but not entered until a later time). An additional distinctive feature was the modeling of the interactions between burglars’ personal traits and certain home features. To explore these issues, the researchers interviewed 52 male burglars in rural county jails in western Pennsylvania. Each participant answered questions about their personal traits and burglary experiences and viewed 50 pairs of home photographs. After viewing each pair of photographs, burglars were asked whether they would burglarize that home immediately, at a later time, or not at all. The researchers found several differences in the home features affecting immediate burglary target choices compared to d...
Shedding light on the CMO revolving door: a study of the antecedents of Chief Marketing Officer turnover

Investigating Chief Marketing Officer (CMO) tenure through a longitudinal study of the antecedents of CMO turnover, the authors find that CMO turnover increases if firms’ sales growth is poor, while profitability has a similar though smaller effect when a new CEO is appointed, highlighting marketing’s contextual role vis-a-vis performance metrics. Coupled with other results related to industry sales growth and stability that make CMO turnover less likely, these findings underscore marketing’s demand- or customer-facing role in the firm. The authors also show that some of these results are distinct to turnover among CMOs compared to other top management team (TMT) executives. While this research does show support for extant theory, its focus on the CMO within the TMT results in important contributions to the turnover literature. These include the inverted-U effect of TMT marketing experience on CMO turnover and the nuanced attenuation by CMO insider-ness of a similar relationship between CMO tenure and turnover. Overall, the results lead to important practical implications for managing CMO turnover.
Aircraft inlet noise radiation model static, flight and bellmouth effect

A relatively simple analytical model is provided which describes the far-field radiation directivity of sound from an aircraft inlet. The model provides for the effect of inlet flow velocity and a different external flow velocity as would be found in a static or wind tunnel test or in flight. The transition from the high duct velocity to the lower external velocity is accomplished by the assumption of an unaltered group velocity vector passing through the velocity gradient field. The influence of the bellmouth shape on the inlet radiation directivity for a static test has been incorporated into the model. Calculated results using the new model are compared to results of inlet static tests and the agreement is very good. The effect of flight on the radiation directivity for both the inlet and the exhaust duct has been derived from the radiation model and for the first time the source noise properties have been incorporated into this flight effect on far-field noise directivity. A simple radiation model is useful when a complex noise source producing many duct modes, such as for broadband noise, must be considered and numerical solutions are not practical.
Hindfoot pain treated by a leg-hindfoot orthosis. A case report

This case report describes an orthotic management option for the treatment of persistent subtalar and ankle joint pain in a patient with rheumatoid arthritis. Orthotic design, principles of control, and methods of application are discussed in addition to the advantages and disadvantages of prefabricated and custom-formed orthotic devices.
Obamacare and Federalism's Tug of War Within

This month, the Supreme Court will decide what some believe will be among the most important cases in the history of the institution. In the 'Obamacare' cases, the Court considers whether the Affordable Care Act ('ACA') exceeds the boundaries of federal authority under the various provisions of the Constitution that establish the relationship between local and national governance. Its response will determine the fate of Congress’s efforts to grapple with the nation’s health care crisis, and perhaps other legislative responses to wicked regulatory problems like climate governance or education policy. Whichever way the gavel falls, the decisions will likely impact the upcoming presidential and congressional elections, and some argue that they may significantly alter public faith in the Court itself. But from the constitutional perspective, they are important because they will speak directly to the interpretive problems of federalism that have ensnared the architects, practitioners, and scholars of American governance since the nation’s first days.This very short essay explains the battle over Obamacare in terms of the classic American federalism debates, and proposes a better way of analyzing this and all federalism issues, drawing from a new book. (Different versions of this essay were cross-posted to RegBlog, the American Constitution Society Blog, and the Environmental Law Profs Blog on June 21, 2012.)
Carcass processing intensity and cutmark creation: An experimental approach

Cutmarks observed in archaeofaunal assemblages are an important source of evidence in the reconstruction of prehistoric butchery strategies. Inherent in these reconstructions is the assumed covariance of the intensity of butchery activities and the resulting cutmarks. This study proposes a simple measure of processing (butchery) intensity-the number of tool strokes amassed during defleshing activities-in an attempt to test this assumption. Data on this measure of processing intensity were collected during the experimental butchery of 16 appendicular carcass segments from large ungulates. Based on the measure of processing intensity utilized here, there seems to be no clear-cut relationship between the number of tool strokes and the resulting frequency of cutmarks or the frequency with which specific bone specimen classes are cutmarked. The results presented here have substantial implications for the interpretation of cutmarks and concomitant assessments of prehistoric human diet and subsistence behavior.
Operator Method for Nonstationary Temperature Field Calculation in Thick-walled Cylindrical Heat Pipe Environment

The paper is dedicated to the exploration of one of the methods of renewable energy research. A significance lies in the economically efficient facilities; therefore, it is important to establish distribution of temperatures in the parts of facilities. Considering a nonstationary process, the temperature field is described in the polar coordinate system by using Laplace’s equation and corresponding mixed-type boundary data. The solution was obtained by the Laplace Transform Method, applying an integral function of complex variables. The inverse Laplace Transform and the original temperature are expressed as an integral. For the integration, a closed contour, which excludes branching and provides the integral of a function that is analytic, was employed. The Cauchy theorem was applied to the calculations. As a result, indefinite integrals were derived for the temperature estimate in the heat pipe cover and the surrounding environment, depending on the temperature of a fluid within the heat pipe.
Ayahuasca exposure: descriptive analysis of calls to US poison control centers from 2005 to 2015

Ayahuasca is a hallucinogenic plant preparation which usually contains the vine Banisteriopsis caapi and the shrub Psychotria viridis. This tea originates from the Amazon Basin where it is used in religious ceremonies. Because interest in these religious groups spreading as well as awareness of use of ayahuasca for therapeutic and recreational purposes, its use is increasing. Banisteriopsis caapi is rich in β-carbolines, especially harmine, tetrahydroharmine and harmaline, which have monoamine oxidase inhibiting (MAOI) activity. Psychotria viridis contains the 5HT2A/2C/1A receptor agonist hallucinogen N,N-dimethyltryptamine (DMT). Usual desired effects include hallucination, dissociation, mood alteration and perception change. Undesired findings previously reported are nausea, vomiting, hypertension, and tachycardia. All human exposure calls reported to the American Association of Poison Controls Centers' (AAPCC) National Poison Data System (NPDS) between September 1, 2005 and September 1, 2015 were reviewed. Cases were filtered for specific plant derived ayahuasca-related product codes. Abstracted data included the following: case age and gender, exposure reason, exposure route, clinical manifestations, treatments given, medical outcomes and fatality. Five hundred and thirty-eight exposures to ayahuasca botanical products were reported. The majority of the calls to poison control centers came from healthcare facilities (83%). The most common route of exposure was ingestion. Most cases were men (437, 81%, 95% CI 77.7% - 84.3%). The median age was 21 (IQR 18-29). Most exposures were acute. Three hundred thirty-seven (63%) were reported to have a major or moderate clinical effect. The most common clinical manifestations reported were hallucinations (35%), tachycardia (34%), agitation (34%), hypertension (16%), mydriasis (13%) and vomiting (6%). Benzodiazepines were commonly given (30%). There were 28 cases in the series who required endotracheal intubation (5%). Four cases were reported to have had a cardiac arrest and 7 a respiratory arrest. Twelve cases had a seizure. Reports of exposures called to poison centers appeared to increase during this period based on annual estimates. Three fatalities were reported. Ayahuasca use appears to be rising in the United States based on calls to poison control centers. While most use is reported to be safe and well tolerated, with possible beneficial effects, serious and life threatening adverse manifestations are possible. Most of the exposures reported to poison control centers were young people, more likely to be men and already in a healthcare facility. Further research, which includes comprehensive drug testing, will be needed to better identify the risks and effects of ayahuasca use.
Miniaturisierungsprobleme bei strögsmechanischen Elementen

Abstract Probleme im Zusammenhang mit der Miniaturisierung stromungsmechanischer Elemente sind prinzipiell bedingt und/oder in den zur Verfugung stehenden Herstellungsverfahren begrundet. Kleinere Elemente verlangen hohere Minimalwerte fur Betriebs-Druck und -Leistung, gestatten aber kurzere Ansprechzeiten. Mit demselben Fluidum betriebene miniaturisierte Elemente weisen bei gleichem Druck auf der Entlastungsseite und bei gleicher Reynoldszahl hohere Mach-Zahlen auf. Bereits Machzahlen von 0, 2 - 0, 3 konnen zu wesentlichen Abweichungen im Verhalten fuhren. Beispiele solcher Unterschiede, sowie eine Moglichkeit einer begrenzten Korrektur, werden gezeigt. Problems in connection with miniaturization of fluid mechanic components arise from fundamental relationships: Minimum values of operating pressure and power consumption increase, the minimum response time decreases. Even moderate Mach numbers, i.e., higher than 0.2 or 0.3 cause significant deviations in miniaturized components, denying experiments with large scale models. Curves showing the behavior of similar elements of various sizes are shown. An example of how to correct the geometry for higher Mach numbers is given.
Synthesis of a eukaryotic chromosome reveals a role for N6-methyladenine in nucleosome organization

Biochemical studies of chromatin have typically used either artificial DNA templates with unnaturally high affinity for histones, or small genomic DNA fragments deprived of their cognate physical environment. It has thus been difficult to dissect chromatin structure and function within fully native DNA substrates. Here, we circumvent these limitations by exploiting the minimalist genome of the eukaryote Oxytricha trifallax, whose notably small ~3kb chromosomes mainly encode single genes. Guided by high-resolution epigenomic maps of nucleosome organization, transcription, and DNA N6-methyladenine locations, we reconstruct full-length Oxytricha chromosomes in vitro and use these synthetic facsimiles to dissect the influence of m6dA and histone post-translational modifications on nucleosome organization. We show that m6dA directly disfavors nucleosomes in a quantitative manner, leading to local deceases in nucleosome occupancy that are synergistic with histone acetylation. The effect of m6dA can be partially reversed by the action of an ATP-dependent chromatin remodeler. Furthermore, erasing m6dA marks from Oxytricha chromosomes leads to proportional increases in nucleosome occupancy across the genome. This work showcases Oxytricha chromosomes as powerful yet practical models for studying eukaryotic chromatin and transcription in the context of biologically relevant DNA substrates.
An Investigation of the Information Sought by Caregivers of Alzheimer's Patients on Online Peer Support Groups

Abstract Caregivers of Alzheimer's patients find respite in online communities for solutions and emotional support. This study aims to understand the characteristics of information caregivers of Alzheimer's patients are searching for and the kind of support they receive through Internet-based peer support communities. Using a Web crawler written in Python Web programming language, we retrieved publicly available 2,500 random posts and their respective solutions from April 2012 to October 2016 on the solutions category of the Caregiver's Forum on ALZConnected.org. A content analysis was conducted on these randomly selected posts and 4,219 responses to those posts based on a classification system were derived from initial analyses of 750 posts and related responses. The results showed most posts (26%) related to queries about Alzheimer's symptoms, and the highest percentage of responses (45.56%) pertained to caregiver well-being. The LIWC analyses generated an average tone rating of 27.27 for the posts, imp...
Purine Metabolism in the Ischemic Canine and Human Immature Myocardium Deficient of 5’-Nucleotidase

Early reports demonstrated that the effect of hypoxia on survival of intact animal is inversely related to age. These observations evoked a great deal of interest characterizing the mechanisms by which fetal and newborn hearts tolerate anoxia and hypoxia better than adult hearts. Several ultrastructural, biochemical, pharmacological, electrophysiological and mechanical and contractile developmental differences have been documented to change with age in mammalian hearts (1). In relation to myocardial protection during ischemia and reperfusion, it is unlikely that data obtained on adult myocardium are applicable to immature myocardium. Several reports have demonstrated increased tolerance of immature myocardium to hypoxia (2,3) and ischemia (4,5). Differences in the capacity to tolerate oxygen deprivation were found to be inversely related to species-specific maturity of the myocardium at birth, and diminished during postnatal development. Biochemical mechanisms that explain the apparent “tolerance” of newborn hearts to ischemia and hypoxia have not been elucidated. Greater capacity of anaerobic glycolysis and higher glycogen content were found in fetal and newborn myocardium than in adult rabbit myocardium. Species-related differences in myocardial glycogen levels were found to decrease with development and paralleled the increase in sensitivity to anoxia. Infusion of glycogen in adult myocardium, however, did not increase tolerance to ischemia.
The Evolution of the Isotopic Composition of Terrestrial Strontium

Many thousands of analyses of the isotopic composition of strontium in a great variety of terrestrial rocks have been made. These data, together with recent work on meteorites and lunar rocks, can provide the basis for a synthesis of the isotopic evolution of strontium within the Earth. Some aspects of this have already been presented in Chapter III and elsewhere in this book. In the following sections of this chapter we shall review the evidence and summarize the present state of these discussions. The reader may have serious reservations about the models to be described and is free to use his own judgment regarding their plausibility. It seems desirable to us, nevertheless, to end this book with speculations about the larger implications of the isotopic compositions of strontium in the rocks of the Earth.
The Pathology of Atherosclerosis

Atherosclerosis is an indolent, chronic arterial disease involving inflammation and thickening of the walls of medium- and large-sized vessels, with potentially-lethal sequelae. An atherosclerotic lesion is an accumulation of lipids and inflammatory cells, within the arterial wall, which becomes more complicated and extensive and deforms the involved artery, with time. Clinically-significant lesions of atherosclerosis typically become manifest after decades of growth and transformation; yet, not all lesions become symptomatic and many end by becoming calcified or fibrotic, with no clinical significance. Atherosclerotic lesions of the carotid arteries begin in infancy [19]. The arterial response that initiates atherosclerosis has not been definitively identified [63]. Yet the subsequent natural history of atherosclerosis has been well-characterized. The vascular burden of atherosclerosis increases in volume and extent, over decades, remaining clinically ‘silent’, while progressing through stages of developme with changes in the morphology and composition of lesions.
An Examination of the Mediating Role of Learning Space Design on the Relation between Instructor Effectiveness and Student Engagement.

Ball State University re-designed five classrooms—as part of an Interactive Learning Space (ILS) Initiative—to provide educators with learning spaces that could be used to implement and assess the effectiveness of student-centred instructional practices. The purpose of the current investigation was to explore how pedagogy implemented within ILSs influenced student outcomes. Participants responded to questionnaires assessing perceived instructor effectiveness, perceived influence of ILS design on educational practices, academic engagement, and initial impressions of the learning spaces. The relationship between instructor effectiveness and academic engagement was partially mediated by the influence that interactive learning spaces exerted on the types of activities implemented during course sessions. Additionally, we identified two ILSs that differentially influenced levels of academic engagement reported by learners. The characteristics of ILSs that facilitate the implementation of effective instructional practices and promote positive student outcomes are discussed.
Discrete element simulations of rheological response of cementitious binders as applied to 3D printing

This paper aims to model the extrusion-based 3D printing process of a plain ordinary Portland cement (OPC) paste using the discrete element method (DEM), and outlines the methodology adopted to evaluate the linkage between particle scale processes and extrusion process. A mini slump test is used to define the rheological model to be used in DEM, and extract the relevant parameters. They are then implemented in a scaled-down extrusion printing model to determine the influence of particle-scale effects on extrusion force. The DEM model is able to capture the differences in extrusion load-displacement responses similar to the experiments. Refinements to the model based on extracted parameters are also discussed.
Comparison of optical biometry versus ultrasound biometry in cases with borderline signal-to-noise ratio

Purpose To ascertain if optical biometry determination of axial length (AL) and intraocular lens (IOL) power is significantly different compared to ultrasound (US) biometry in cases with borderline signal-to-noise ratio (SNR). Patients and methods Sixty patients who had cataract and IOL Master biometry with borderline SNR (1.6-2.0) were included. A retrospective chart review was performed to compare data collected with optical biometry and US biometry in cataract cases with borderline SNR. Results Results showed that optical biometry IOL and AL measurements were not significantly different from the US measurements. Analysis also demonstrated good agreement between the two methods. Conclusion Our study suggests that, in cases of borderline quality data, IOL power and AL measurements with optical biometry are still useful in surgical planning and that additional US measurements may be used more as a corroborative tool.
Environmentalism: An Evolutionary Approach

The premise of this book is that our environmental dilemmas are products of biological and sociocultural evolution, and that through an understanding of evolution we can reframe debates of thought and action. The purpose is to explain the wide variety of environmental worldviews, their origins, commonalities, points of contention, and their implications for the modern environmental movement. In three parts covering the origins, evolution and future of environmentalism, it offers instructors and students a framework on which to map theory, case studies and classical literature. It is shown that environmentalism can be described in terms of six human values—utility, stability, equity, beauty, sanctity, and morality—and that these are deeply rooted in our biological and cultural origins. In building this case the book draws upon ecology, philosophy, psychology, history, biology, economics, spirituality, and aesthetics, but rather than consider these all independently it integrates them to craft a mosaic narrative of our species and its home. From our evolutionary origins a story emerges; it is the story of humankind, how we have come to threaten our own existence, and why we seem to have such difficulty in acting together to ensure our common future. Understanding our environmental problems in evolutionary terms gives us a way forward. It suggests an environmentalism in which material views of human life include spirituality, in which our anthropocentric behaviors incorporate ecological function, and in which environmental problems are addressed by the intentional relation of humans to the nonhuman world and to one another. Aimed at students taking courses in environmental studies, the book brings clarity to a complex and, at times, confusing array of ideas and concepts of environmentalism.
Educational Assortative Mating Among Mexican Families: Are Migrants Different?

In this article, we explored the pattern of educational assortative mating among Mexican families. We employed education fixed effects models to analyze the relationship between men’s years of scho...
Overview of Laparoscopic/Robotic Technical Aspects

Abdominal wall hernias repairs are one of the most common operations done in the United States. With about two million laparotomies performed annually with an incidence of incisional hernia of up to 20%, it makes sense why up to a quarter of all abdominal wall hernias are incisional in nature. With the advent of laparoscopy and other minimally invasive techniques, these surgeries that once mandated laparotomies are now being performed with smaller incisions and by using laparoscopy or robotic techniques. This chapter analyzes the history of minimally invasive approaches to ventral incisional hernias and the indications of performing each.
Acidic processing of fly ash: chemical characterization, morphology, and immersion freezing

Fly ash can undergo aging in the atmosphere through interactions with sulfuric acid and water. These reactions could result in chemical and physical changes that could affect the cloud condensation or ice nucleation activity of fly ash particles. To explore this process, different water and acid treated fly ash types were characterized with X-ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), electron dispersive spectroscopy (EDS), selected area diffraction (SAED), and inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectroscopy (ICP-AES). Then, their immersion freezing activity was assessed. With water and acid treatment, a wide variety of metals were leached, depending on the starting composition of the fly ash. Acid treatment resulted in the formation of gypsum, Ca(SO4)·2H2O, for fly ash containing Ca as well as morphological changes. The immersion freezing activity was also assessed for each fly ash system to compare the effects of water and acid processing. Our results support the assertion that fly ash can serve as a cloud condensation or ice nucleus to affect climate.
GDH and toxin immunoassay for the diagnosis of Clostridioides (Clostridium) difficile infection is not a 'one size fit all' screening test

Abstract Diagnosing Clostridioides (Clostridium) difficile infection is challenged by lack of a clear gold standard. We sought to determine if the two-step algorithm (screening GDH and toxin lateral flow assay followed by tcdB PCR) would have adequate clinical performance at a tertiary care center. Of 486 patients, 310 (63.8%) were immunocompromised. Of 150 PCR-positive specimens, 52 (34.7%) were toxin-positive and 126 (84.0%) were GDH positive. Positive GDH or toxin results corresponded to lower PCR cycle threshold values (P 0.05). The application of the 2-step algorithm should be thoroughly evaluated in immunocompromised patient populations before implementation.
The incidence of coccidioidomycosis among nonhuman primates housed outdoors at the California Primate Research Center

Serum from 191 nonhuman primates housed outdoors from October 1977 to October 1978 at the California Primate Research Center was assayed for the presence of antibody specific for coccidioidin. One Macaca mulatta had coccidioidal antibody which was found to be associated with disseminated coccidioidomycosis. One Macaca radiata had complement-fixing antibody specific for coccidioidin and a pulmonary lesion. Additionally, two other animals had coccidioidal antibody but lacked clinical evidence of disease. The source of infection is suspected to be a severe dust storm originating in southern California.