cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Potential Biomarkers of Smoked Fentanyl Utilizing Pyrolysis Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry

Fentanyl is a potent opioid analgesic that is increasingly becoming a choice drug of abuse. Fentanyl transdermal patches (FTPs) are easily obtained and consumed by smoking the reservoir gel and/or the whole patch. This allows for an increased bioavailability when inhaled. A method using analytical pyrolysis was developed to identify possible biomarkers associated with smoked fentanyl and FTPs. Pyrolysis was carried out under anaerobic and aerobic conditions using helium and air coupled to a gas chromatograph-mass spectrometer. The presence of a trap enhanced recovery and afforded a positive identification of pyrolytic products. Anaerobic and aerobic pyrolysis of fentanyl and FTPs consistently yielded propionanilide as the major pyrolytic product along with pyridine and previously reported metabolites (norfentanyl and despropionyl fentanyl). Analysis of fentanyl resulted in chlorine-containing compounds, presumably formed from the HCl salt of fentanyl. Analysis of FTPs showed significant polymeric and hydrocarbon compounds and products likely derived from the gel matrix. Fentanyl in the FTPs was in the citrate salt form; therefore, the chlorine-containing pyrolytic products obtained with the neat drug were not observed. Based on this application, it may be possible to identify what salt form of the drug was smoked based on pyrolytic products and to target distinguishing metabolic products for future research.
Informed by the ancients: Norse mythology and psychotherapy

The myth of Kvasir is presented, in part. Through hermeneutic discourse, a case is made that the ancient Norseman had an understanding of the psychotherapeutic arts which finds parallel in contemporary thought. The myth evidences the distinction between: (1) the offering of needed information; and (2) the facilitation of personal, growth-oriented exploration. In contemporary terms, this is the distinction sometimes drawn beween “counseling” and “psychotherapy”, respectively. More thorough and careful exegesis of the myth reveals the ubiquitous importance of the personhood of the therapist. It is through the “person of the therapist” that the therapeutic techniques are given life. The ancient wisdom contained in the myth of Kvasir may server as inspiration and guidance for the contemporary psychotherapist.
Redox Regulation of Large Conductance Ca2+-activated K+ Channels in Smooth Muscle Cells

The effects of sulfhydryl reduction/oxidation on the gating of large-conductance, Ca(2+)-activated K+ (maxi-K) channels were examined in excised patches from tracheal myocytes. Channel activity was modified by sulfhydryl redox agents applied to the cytosolic surface, but not the extracellular surface, of membrane patches. Sulfhydryl reducing agents dithiothreitol, beta-mercaptoethanol, and GSH augmented, whereas sulfhydryl oxidizing agents diamide, thimerosal, and 2,2'-dithiodipyridine inhibited, channel activity in a concentration-dependent manner. Channel stimulation by reduction and inhibition by oxidation persisted following washout of the compounds, but the effects of reduction were reversed by subsequent oxidation, and vice versa. The thiol-specific reagents N-ethylmaleimide and (2-aminoethyl)methanethiosulfonate inhibited channel activity and prevented the effect of subsequent sulfhydryl oxidation. Measurements of macroscopic currents in inside-out patches indicate that reduction only shifted the voltage/nP0 relationship without an effect on the maximum conductance of the patch, suggesting that the increase in nP0 following reduction did not result from recruitment of more functional channels but rather from changes of channel gating. We conclude that redox modulation of cysteine thiol groups, which probably involves thiol/disulfide exchange, alters maxi-K channel gating, and that this modulation likely affects channel activity under physiological conditions.
Color Doppler imaging of intracranial vessels in the neonate

425 This study was performed to examine the effectiveness of color Doppler imaging (CDI) in demonstrating the neonatal intracranial vessels and altered intracranial flow patterns and to determine the optimal approach in imaging the intracranial vasculature. The study was conducted in two parts. First, 14 neonates were examined with CDI by using a standard approach through the anterior fontanel. Whenever possible, views through the posterior fontanel and the temporal bone were obtained also. The anterior cerebral, M1 segment of the middle cerebral, distal internal carotid, and basilar arteries were demonstrated consistently. Portions of the vertebral, distal middle cerebral, and posterior cerebral arteries were frequently visualized. In the second part of the study, we examined 10 neonates who had undergone extracorporeal membrane oxygenation. In this group of patients, CDI was able to demonstrate occlusion of the right internal carotid artery and the reversal of flow through the ipsilateral A 1 segment. Increased flow on the contralateral side and in the basilar artery was observed in several patients. The anterior fontanel approach was shown to be the most useful in identifying most of the major intracranial arteries and veins with CDI . In addition, the body weights and gestational ages of the neonates were found to significantly influence the success rate in visualizing the intracranial vasculature.
Use of a quantitative platelet function test to guide epidural catheter removal in a patient who inadvertently received clopidogrel.

Dear Editor, The removal of postoperative epidural catheters requires appropriate timing in patients on anticoagulants or antiplatelet agents. Current recommendations regarding clopidogrel suggest epidural catheter placement 5 to 7 days after discontinuation and to restart clopidogrel 24 hours after an epidural catheter has been removed. Premature placement or removal creates concern of precipitating a spinal epidural hematoma. A variable degree of platelet inhibition has been observed in patients on clopidogrel therapy. As a result, new tests have been developed to quantify the degree to which platelets are inhibited in these patients. These tests have gained popularity with interventional cardiologists who use the information to guide therapy. Among these new tests is the VerifyNow® PRUTest which reports a value of P2Y12 reaction units (PRU). Low values suggest a high degree of platelet inhibition, whereas a higher number reflects a greater amount of P2Y12–mediated platelet aggregation. Current cardiology literature has indicated a value of ≥ 235 ⇓ to …
Determination of platelet adhesion to collagen and the associated formation of phosphatidic acid and calcium mobilization

A method was developed to study the adhesion of platelets to fibrillar collagen at 37 degrees C in the absence of aggregation. Human platelets were labeled with [3H]-oleic acid, gel-filtered, and incubated with collagen in the presence of receptor antagonists to thromboxane A2, 5-hydroxytryptamine, and platelet-activating factor, as well as a fibrinogen/fibronectin inhibitor and an ADP-removing system. Those platelets that adhered to collagen were separated from those that did not by filtration through a 10-microns nylon mesh and the extent of platelet adhesion was quantitated by determination of the radioactivity retained by the mesh. The extent of platelet adhesion was proportional to the amount of collagen added up to 100 micrograms/ml and was essentially complete by 1 min. At least 80-90% of the platelets were capable of adhering to collagen. Adhesion was potentiated by the presence of extracellular Mg2+ and this potentiation was inhibited by extracellular Ca2+. Phosphatidic acid increased markedly in those platelets that adhered to collagen and this was associated with increases in cytosolic free Ca2+ levels that could be detected using the fluorescent Ca2+ indicator fura-2.
On partitioning the Faddeev algorithm

Partitioned schemes for computing the Faddeev algorithm are derived, using a graph-based methodology. Such implementations are obtained by performing transformations on the fully parallel dependence graph of the algorithm. Linear and two-dimensional structures are derived and evaluated in terms of throughput, I/O bandwidth, utilization of processing elements, and overhead due to partitioning. The partitioned implementation are compared with schemes previously proposed. It is shown that throughput of both the linear and two-dimensional arrays derived here tends to 3m/7n/sup 3/ for n*n matrices, where m is the number of cells and utilization tends to 1. A two-dimensional scheme that is more efficient and has less overhead than others previously proposed is derived. It is shown that for partitioned implementations with the same number of cells, a linear array performs better, its implementation is easier, and it is better suited for fault-tolerant capabilities than a two-dimensional one. >
‘Partner in his Calamities’: Pastors' Wives, Married Nuns and the Experience of Clerical Marriage in the Early German Reformation

This essay examines what factors led the first clerical wives to marry former Catholic clergy and nuns to marry in the first decade of the Reformation in Germany and seeks to explain the difference that social class, geography and gender made in those decisions. In contrast to the later Reformation, when pastors married same or higher social status women, the majority of women who married former priests and monks during the 1520s were often lower or, in the case of nuns, significantly higher social status than their husbands. Women married clergy for a variety of reasons that were counterintuitive to typical marital strategies for economic security and social networking, since clergy had neither in the 1520s. While sharing a common experience, clerical wives' reasons for marriage to a pastor varied greatly depending on class, local decision about the Reformation and numerous personal factors. Using a variety of sources including letters, civic records, court testimony and published pamphlets, this article demonstrates that these women did exhibit a limited agency that ultimately helped shape larger social and political acceptance of clerical marriage.
Reversed voltage-dependent gating of a bacterial sodium channel with proline substitutions in the S6 transmembrane segment

Members of the voltage-gated-like ion channel superfamily have a conserved pore structure. Transmembrane helices that line the pore (M2 or S6) are thought to gate it at the cytoplasmic end by bending at a hinge glycine residue. Proline residues favor bending of α-helices, and substitution of proline for this glycine (G219) dramatically stabilizes the open state of a bacterial Na+ channel NaChBac. Here we have probed S6 pore-lining residues of NaChBac by proline mutagenesis. Five of 15 proline-substitution mutants yielded depolarization-activated Na+ channels, but only G219P channels have strongly negatively shifted voltage dependence of activation, demonstrating specificity for bending at G219 for depolarization-activated gating. Remarkably, three proline-substitution mutations on the same face of S6 as G219 yielded channels that activated upon hyperpolarization and inactivated very slowly. Studies of L226P showed that hyperpolarization to -147 mV gives half-maximal activation, 123 mV more negative than WT. Analysis of combination mutations and studies of block by the local anesthetic etidocaine favored the conclusion that hyperpolarization-activated gating results from opening of the cytoplasmic gate formed by S6 helices. Substitution of multiple amino acids for L226 indicated that hyperpolarization-activated gating was correlated with a high propensity for bending, whereas depolarization-activated gating was favored by a low propensity for bending. Our results further define the dominant role of bending of S6 in determining not only the voltage dependence but also the polarity of voltage-dependent gating. Native hyperpolarization-activated gating of hyperpolarization- and cyclic nucleotide-gated (HCN) channels in animals and KAT channels in plants may involve bending at analogous S6 amino acid residues.
A Monte Carlo-based framework enhances the discovery and interpretation of regulatory sequence motifs

Background Discovery of functionally significant short, statistically overrepresented subsequence patterns (motifs) in a set of sequences is a challenging problem in bioinformatics. Oftentimes, not all sequences in the set contain a motif. These non-motif-containing sequences complicate the algorithmic discovery of motifs. Filtering the non-motif-containing sequences from the larger set of sequences while simultaneously determining the identity of the motif is, therefore, desirable and a non-trivial problem in motif discovery research.
Age and weight in osteoarthritis of the hip.

We examined 121 men and women suffering from primary and secondary osteoarthritis of the hip with respect to age at orthopedic consultation, body weight, and height. Body weight distribution among patients with primary osteoarthritis of the hip was similar to that of patients with secondary osteoarthritis of the hip and to normal men and women in the United States. There was no correlation between age at orthopedic consultation and body weight. We conclude that body weight is not an important factor in the development of osteoarthritis of the hip. Primary osteoarthritis affects one or the other side or both sides with equal frequency. Individuals with bilateral disease were not older than those with unilateral disease. We conclude that the disease is unilateral or bilateral at its inception rather than progressing from one side to the other with time.
Topological design of survivable wireless access networks

Wireless mobile networks have become crucial in providing untethered communication services to mobile users. In this paper, we propose an optimization model for the design of survivable wireless access networks. The main objective of the model is to optimize the network design cost of wireless backhaul networks while meeting survivability requirements. This paper also presents a simple and efficient heuristic method to solve the network design model for large network problem sizes within a reasonable computational time while obtaining a near optimal solution.
Nineteen-Millimeter Aortic St. Jude Medical Heart Valve Prosthesis: Up to Sixteen Years’ Follow-up

Abstract Background. Prosthetic valve replacement in a small aortic root without annulus enlargement raises concern about its long-term benefits. Methods. Between July 1979 and June 1994, 104 (18%) of 593 patients underwent aortic valve replacement using the 19-mm St. Jude Medical heart valve prosthesis. There were 93 women and 11 men, with a mean age of 66.2 ± 10.6 years. Forty-four patients (42%) were 70 or more years old. The mean body surface area was 1.61 ± 0.16 m 2 (range, 1.2 to 2.1 m 2 ). Forty-nine patients (47%) underwent concomitant procedures; 23 patients (22%) required coronary artery bypass grafts and 25 patients (24%), mitral valve replacement. Ninety-eight patients (94%) presented in New York Heart Association class III and IV. Results. The operative mortality was 7.6% (8 patients). Follow-up was 100% with a mean of 5.48 ± 3.73 years (range, 1 to 16 years) and a total of 708 patient-years. There were 18 late deaths, with a mortality of 2.5% patient-years. The incidence of thromboembolism was 0.4% patient-years (3 patients) and anticoagulant-related morbidity was 0.85% patient-years (6 patients). Long-term survival in the two groups with a body surface area of less than 1.7 m 2 and 1.7 m 2 or more was not statistically different ( p = 0.30). The univariate analysis with body surface area as a predictor of mortality showed that a larger body surface area had no effect on the long-term mortality (χ 2 p value=0.36). Survival for 5 and 10 years with the 95% confidence interval was 80.6% ± 8.3% and 61.6% ± 15%. Freedom from thromboembolism was 96.3% ± 4.2% and anticoagulant-related hemorrhage was 91.8% ± 6.8% at the end of 16 years. Cox proportional hazards model, with time-dependent covariates, showed that events of thromboembolism, anticoagulant-related hemorrhage, and myocardial infarction during follow-up increased the risk of late death (risk ratio, 9.5, 10.3, and 32.8, respectively). The age at operation was an independent risk factor, with decreased survival with age 70 or more years ( p = 0.0002). However, body surface area ( p = 0.97) and concomitant cardiac procedures ( p = 0.86) were not statistically significant predictors of death. Conclusions. The long-term performance of the 19-mm St. Jude Medical heart valve prosthesis in the small aortic root is satisfactory irrespective of the body surface area, and it is a viable alternative for such patients. (Ann Thorac Surg 1997;63:964–70)
Application of an online team physician survey to the consensus statement on sideline preparedness: the medical bag's highly desired items

Three major duties of the team physician, according to a consensus statement published in 2001, are ‘to plan and train for emergencies during competition and practice, address equipment and supply issues and provide for proper event coverage’. Various medical supplies have been consistently recommended in articles preceding and following the consensus statement while others have not. Nonetheless, there has never been an online survey of team physicians involved with the American Medical Society for Sports Medicine or the American Orthopaedic Society for Sports Medicine covering community, high school, collegiate and professional sporting events that documented the usage of supplies typically found in a team physician9s main ‘medical bag’ by consensus standards. The purpose of this study was to document the usage frequencies of supplies listed as ‘highly desirable for the “medical bag” to include’ as well as stocking, storage and inventory maintenance protocols for these events and to compare them with recommendations from the consensus statement as well as some protocols involving prehospital care from a ‘wilderness’ perspective.
Evidence for two independent associations with type 1 diabetes at the 12q13 locus.

After analyzing variants spanning more than 200 kb, we have replicated associations from previous GWAS and provide evidence for novel associations with type 1 diabetes. The associations across this region could be entirely accounted for by two common SNPs, rs2271189 and rs11171747.
The role of the research university in MNC radical innovation (RI)

Universities are often the sources of breakthrough science and technology but the exact nature of their role in industrial innovation is often contested. This paper empirically explores university industry alliances in radical innovation. We find that as a focus of activity in RI, universities were the most frequently mentioned sites external to the firm, yet their role was often discussed as an afterthought. Our results lead us to several hypotheses and suggested opportunities for more effective exploitation of academic research in RI.
Stricture and Perforation of the Esophagus: Overlooked Threats in the Zollinger- Ellison Syndrome

This study was undertaken to assess the frequency of significant esophageal involvement in the Zollinger-Ellison syndrome (ZES). In a consecutive series of 24 patients with this disease, 9 (37%) showed endoscopic evidence of acid-induced esophageal lesions ranging from erosive inflammation to ulceration with massive bleeding, severe stricture formation, and perforation. In 3 cases, pronounces esophagitis was known 1-5 years before the underlying disease was diagnosed. Severe esophageal complications developed despite treatment with antisecretory drugs. It is emphasized that the best way to limit such complications is by excision of the underlying gastrin-secreting tumor(s) when possible.
On Two-Phase Switched-Capacitor Multipliers With Minimum Circuit Area

This paper compares the performance among two-phase switched-capacitor multipliers to identify the optimum topology with the smallest circuit area. The optimum number of stages is calculated for every multiplier to minimize the circuit area under the condition that a certain current is outputted with a given output voltage. Then, the circuit areas of the serial-parallel, linear (LIN), Fibonacci, and 2N multipliers are compared. Results show that the LIN cell is the best for integration because of the smallest total capacitor area and the highest current efficiency under the assumption that the parasitic capacitance is not smaller than 10% of the multiplier capacitance, and the Fibonacci cell is the best for discrete application because of the minimum number of capacitor components with moderate current efficiency under the assumption that the parasitic capacitance is not larger than 1% of the multiplier capacitance.
Fractalkine (CX3CL1), GM-CSF and VEGF-a levels are reduced by statins in adult patients

Fractalkine (CX3CL1) promotes migration and adhesion of lymphocytes and monocytes to inflamed tissues. Prior studies show a role for CX3CL1 in atherosclerosis. The relationship between inflammatory cytokines, cholesterol, and CX3CL1 levels in human subjects without known coronary artery disease is not well characterized. The goal of our study was to assess baseline CX3CL1 levels, and after modulation of cholesterol levels by statins to determine if CX3CL1 is linked to cholesterol levels or inflammatory stimuli. We performed a blinded, randomized hypothesis generating study in human subjects without known coronary artery disease treated sequentially with three statins of differing potencies. Fractalkine (CX3CL1), GM-CSF, VEGF-A, other chemokines, and lipid levels were measured. Mechanistic studies of CX3CL1 induction by LDL cholesterol and TNFα in cultured human endothelial cells were performed using real-time PCR. Therapy with statins reduced total and LDL cholesterol levels as expected. CX3CL1 levels were significantly reduced from no statin control levels (89.9 ± 18.5 pg/mL) after treatment with atorvastatin (60.0 ± 7.8 pg/mL), pravastatin (54.2 ± 7.0 pg/mL) and rosuvastatin (65.6 ± 7.3 pg/mL) (χ2(2) = 17.4, p ≤ 0.001). Cholesterol is not a known regulator of CX3CL1. We found GM-CSF (r2 = 0.524; p 10-fold induction. Our findings suggest that while statins suppress CX3CL1 levels, inflammatory cytokines may be the major regulator of CX3CL1 levels rather than cholesterol itself. Additional studies in a larger patient population are needed to confirm these findings, determine if CX3CL1 levels reflect inflammation levels, and potentially add to standard risk factors in prediction of atherosclerotic disease events.
Habitat Selection and Movements of Raccoons on a Grassland Reserve Managed for Imperiled Birds

Seasonal habitat selection and foraging movements are important aspects of predator ecology, and individual movements can provide a method to link predator–prey dynamics to the spatial mosaic of the environment. Prairie Ridge State Natural Area in Jasper County, Illinois, is a highly fragmented reserve that provides critical habitat for many declining grassland-dependent birds. Nest predation in this area is likely to be substantial because of high mesopredator populations. We undertook a 2-year telemetry study to investigate raccoon (Procyon lotor) movements and habitat selection on the reserve. During the avian nesting season, raccoon pathways had significantly lower fractal dimension, indicating more linear movements and less searching behavior than for fall–winter pathways. Movement distances and rates did not differ between the sexes or seasons. Habitat selection was significantly different among seasons on 2 hierarchical levels. Raccoons generally avoided grasslands in spring and summer, and the shape of pathways indicated that raccoons apparently did not search for nests in grassland habitats. Consequently, nest predation likely occurred incidentally as raccoons moved across grasslands to richer food patches such as wetlands, streams, and residential areas.
Education in Tibet: Policy and Practice since 1950

* Contents * Introduction * Part 1 * 1. Background * 2. Red or Expert: Shifting Priorities in Education, 1950-1978 * 3. Socialist Modernisation, 1978-97 * 4. Regional Disparity in Education Provision * Part 2 * 5. Primary Education * 6. Funding of Primary Education: Urban versus Rural * 7. General Secondary Education * 8. Vocational Secondary Education * 9. Higher Education * 10.Pre-school Education, Education for Girls, Special Needs EDucation * 11. Teachers and Teaching * 12. Tibetan Language Policy in Education * 13. Concluding Comments
A modest proposal to completely revamp the way in which we give doctorates

It is suggested that the prospective doctoral student should see the Ph.D. degree as the culmination of a process of education, study, research, and the presentation of an acceptable dissertation. Randomness and chance should be eliminated so that, as in the process of obtaining the BS and MS degrees, a student who continues to make satisfactory progress will be awarded the Ph.D. degree at the end of a fixed period. It is concluded that by producing more doctorates in engineering, the quality of technology in the USA will improve and the engineering workforce will be perceived as more professional. >
Human Occupation for Public Health Promotion: New Directions for Occupational Therapy Practice With Persons With Arthritis

Occupational therapy seldom reports the outcomes of intervention programs to reflect the impact on public health indicators. Consequently, our professions' effect on public health goals is limited. We propose professional coherence in intervention practices and in reporting of screening, monitoring, and outcome indicators in population-level statistics that will enable occupational therapy to take an integral role in health promotion for people with chronic diseases (or disorders), including those with arthritis, in the 21st century.
Effects of Chronic Endurance Exercise on Doxorubicin-Induced Thymic Damage

The use of prior exercise training has shown promise in minimizing doxorubicin (DOX)-induced physical impairments. The purpose of this study was to compare changes in thymus mass, thymocyte (T-cell) number, and tissue peroxidation following chronic endurance exercise and DOX treatment in the rat. The thymus mass, number of viable T-cells, and levels of malondialdehyde and 4-hydroxyalkenals (MDA+4-HAE) were compared 3 days post-injection between rats assigned to the following treatment conditions: (a) 10 weeks of endurance training, followed by a saline injection 24 hours after the last training session (TM+SAL); (b) treadmill training as above, followed by a single, bolus 10-mg/kg injection of DOX (TM+10); (c) treadmill training with 12.5 mg/kg of DOX (TM+12.5); (d) sedentary (without exercise) and a saline injection (SED+SAL); (e) sedentary with 10 mg/kg of DOX (SED+10); and (f) sedentary with 12.5 mg/kg (SED+12.5). Thymic mass and T-cell numbers significantly decreased following DOX injections. TM rats exhibited significantly less lipid peroxidation compared with paired-dose SED groups. TM+10 did not significantly differ from SED+SAL in thymic levels of lipid peroxidation. We conclude that chronic endurance exercise decreases levels of lipid peroxidation in the thymus seen with acute DOX treatment.
Dynamic Downscaling of Seasonal Climate Predictions over Brazil

Abstract Climate projections for March–April–May (MAM) 1985 and 1997 made with the NASA Goddard Institute for Space Studies (GISS) GCM over South America on a 4° latitude by 5° longitude grid are “downscaled” to 0.5° grid spacing. This is accomplished by interpolating the GCM simulation product in time and space to create lateral boundary conditions (LBCs) for synchronous nested simulations by the regional climate model (RCM) of the GISS/Columbia University Center for Climate Systems Research. Both the GCM and the RCM simulations use sea surface temperature (SST) predictions based on persisted February SST anomalies. Each downscaled prediction is evaluated from an ensemble of five simulations and each is compared to a control ensemble of five RCM simulations driven by synchronous NCEP reanalysis data. An additional five-run control ensemble for MAM 1997 tests the impact of “perfect” SST predictions on the RCM forecast. Results are compared to observational evidence that includes NCEP reanalysis data, Clim...
A Study of Nuclear Flow in Consistent Boltzmann Algorithms

One of the still most challenging questions in nuclear physics is that of the equation of state (EOS) of nuclear matter — how does nuclear matter change properties under different temperatures and pressures?[1] Heavy-ion collisions are of great importance in this study; when two large nuclei collide, the nuclear matter is compressed, due to two-body collisions of the nuclear constituents also the temperature rises. Unlike for macroscopic matter, for nuclear matter. this state is unfortunately not directly observable: both the length and the time scale of nuclear collisions prohibit direct observation of nuclear matter while it is still at high temperature and density. Instead, nuclear matter has already cooled down, expanded, and formed more stable configurations before it hits the detectors.
Q4 2014 Silicon Valley Venture Capitalist Confidence Index Research Report

The Silicon Valley Venture Capitalist Confidence Index® (Bloomberg ticker symbol: SVVCCI) is based on a recurring quarterly survey of San Francisco Bay Area/Silicon Valley venture capitalists. The Index measures and reports the opinions of professional venture capitalists on their estimations of the high-growth venture entrepreneurial environment in the San Francisco Bay Area over the next 6-18 months. The Silicon Valley Venture Capitalist Confidence Index® for the fourth quarter of 2014, based on a December 2014 survey of 28 San Francisco Bay Area venture capitalists, registered 3.93 on a 5 point scale (with 5 indicating high confidence and 1 indicating low confidence). This quarter’s index measurement is slightly higher than the previous quarter’s index reading of 3.89.
Effect of uremia on the membrane transport characteristics of red blood cells

Even though there is extensive evidence that uremia affects the fragility and deformability of red blood cells (RBCs), essentially all data on the RBC membrane permeability have been obtained with nonuremic blood. Permeability data were obtained for creatinine and uric acid, two metabolites of interest in hemodialysis, using a stirred ultrafiltration device with direct cell- and protein-free sampling. Experiments examined the effects of temperature and suspending phase on solute transport for both normal and uremic blood cells. Creatinine and uric acid transport from normal RBCs at 37 degrees C were characterized by saturation half-times of 40 +/- 10 minutes and 54 +/- 12 minutes, respectively. The corresponding half-times for uremic cells were significantly longer, 94 +/- 26 minutes and 180 +/- 38 minutes. Data indicated that the slower rate of creatinine transport in uremic blood was caused by an alteration in the RBC membrane, while the reduction in uric acid transport was associated with alterations in the uremic plasma. The temperature dependence of the RBC permeability was also much less pronounced for uremic cells for both solutes. These results provide important insights into the effects of uremia on the RBC membrane permeability, and have important implications for dialysis.
Meningococcal vaccination for international travellers from Greece visiting developing countries

Summary Background Meningococcal meningitis is a serious disease. Travel-associated infection for the general traveller is low; however regular epidemics in indigenous population, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa are responsible for significant morbidity and mortality. Our aim was to assess meningococcal vaccination for international travellers from Greece. Methods A prospective questionnaire-based study was conducted during 2009–2013. Results A total of 5283 travellers were studied (median age: 39.2 years); Meningococcal tetravalent vaccine (A,C,W135,Y) was delivered to 1150 (21.8%) of them. Of those who travelled to the Middle East and sub-Saharan Africa, 73.1% and 21.2% received meningococcal vaccine, respectively. Of those travellers who travelled to sub-Saharan Africa from November to June and from July to October, 22.1% and 20.6% were vaccinated with meningococcal vaccine, respectively. Of all travellers who travelled for Conclusion There is a need to improve meningococcal vaccine recommendations for travellers from Greece, particularly for high risk populations, such as VFRs, business travellers and those visiting sub-Saharan Africa especially during the dry season.
Molecular Architecture and its role in Silica Sol-Gel Polymerization

Sol-gel polymerization of [Si8O12](OCH3)8 in CH3CN under neutral conditions yields very high surface area (SBET > 900 m2/g) xerogels. This property is seen to result from the structure of the gel on the molecular level. According to N2 adsorption studies, model studies, and TEM studies, the large size and rigidity of the cubic [Si8O12] core structure leads to polymers whose rigidity inhibits extensive crosslinking of the type observed in orthosilicate derived xerogels.
Adenosine deaminase activity associated with phagocytic vacuoles. Cytochemical demonstration by electron microscopy.

Adenosine deaminase activity has been localized within the cell membrane and its surrounds phagocytic vacuoles in mouse macrophages. Adenosine deaminase is thus strategically located to direct metabolic flux through the enzymes of the purine catabolic pathway. Xanthine oxidase, a key enzyme of this pathway, produces superoxide during its reaction with its substrates. Enzyme activity was visualized for electron microscopy by means of hydrolysis of 6-Chloropurine ribonucleoside to produce Cl−, which is precipitated with Ag+. The latter is converted into Ag0 by light, and the resulting deposit is visualized with the electron microscope.
Research on trace iodine determination by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry

Objective To develop a method for the determination of iodine in water,urine and foodstuff samples by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry,so as to provide scientific detection technology for studying iodine nutrition status. Methods Samples were treated by 0. 25% tetramethylammonium hydroxide solution dilution method or sealed digestion method,and then determined by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. Results The correlation coefficients( R2) were above 0. 9997. The limit of detection( LOD) was 0. 20 μg / L in water sample direct determination,and 0. 13 μg / L in 10-fold-dilution urine sample. The limit of detection( LOD) in foodstuff samples was 5. 60 μg / kg. For the determination of standard materials,the relative standard deviations were less than 5%. Conclusion The proposed method had advantages of easy operation,strong immunity from interference and high sensitivity,it is suitable for the determination of iodine in water,urine and foodstuff samples in large quantity.
COPE: vision for a change-oriented programming environment

Software engineering involves a lot of change as code artifacts are not only created once but maintained over time. In the last 25 years, major paradigms of program development have arisen – agile development with refactorings, software product lines, moving sequential code to multicore or cloud, etc. Each is centered on particular kinds of change; their conceptual foundations rely on transformations that (semi-) automate these changes. We are exploring how transformations can be placed at the center of software development in future IDEs, and when such a view can provide benefits over the traditional view. COPE, a Change-Oriented Programming Environment, looks at 5 activities: (1) analyze what changes programmers typically make and how they perceive, recall, and communicate changes, (2) automate transformations to make it easier to apply and script changes, (3) develop tools that compose and manipulate transformations to make it easier to reuse them, (4) integrate transformations with version control to pro- vide better ways for archiving and understanding changes, and (5) develop tools that infer higher-level transformations from lower-level changes. Characterizing software develop- ment in terms of transformations is an essential step to take software engineering from manual development to (semi-) automated development of software.
Altered Gene Expression in Tumor Metastasis: The nm23 Gene

Tumor metastasis is a complex process involving tumor cell invasion, locomotion, intravasation and extravasation of the circulatory system, angiogenisis, colony formation, and avoidance of host immunological responses. Two premises have guided our investigation into the genetic influences on tumor invasion and metastasis. First, if the metastatic process is regulated, at least in part, by the activation and deactivation of specific genes, then the multiplicity of cell functions in metastasis dictates that many genes are involved. Second, the biochemical nature of molecules regulating and executing each of the tumor cell functions in metastatis is incompletely understood. Because of the tedious purification process, it is likely that many metastasis regulatory and effector compounds and the genes encoding them are presently unknown. Based on these premises, we initiated differential colony hybridization experiments to identify genes associated with the tumor invasion and metastatic process. This technique identifies genes either activated or deactivated between tumor cells of low and high metastatic potential. It can therefore identify metastasis-related genes in advance of conventional biochemical purification and DNA cloning. This paper describes the identification and characterization of one such gene, nm23.
Development and plasticity of the primate cerebral cortex.

Numerous studies over the last three decades have provided ample evidence that sensory areas of the immature brain are sensitive to a variety of epigenetic forces, which influence their final anatomic, functional, and biochemical organization. This article discusses some recent experiments on the development and plasticity of a nonsensory region of the cerebral cortex, the prefrontal association cortex of the monkey.
Parental ADHD and Depression: Time-Varying Prediction of Offspring Externalizing Psychopathology

Parental attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and depression are risk factors for negative child outcomes, but given their frequent co-occurrence and variability over time, developmentally sensitive studies are needed. To characterize change in parental ADHD and depression as predictors of change in child ADHD and oppositional defiant disorder (ODD), 230 five- to ten-year-old children with (n = 110) and without (n = 120) ADHD were followed prospectively for 2 years with 90% retention. At baseline and again 2 years later (i.e., Wave 2), parents self-reported their ADHD and depression; parents and teachers also separately rated child ADHD and ODD, as well as broader attention and externalizing problems. Controlling for child sex, race-ethnicity, age, and parental depression, generalized estimating equations revealed that 2-year decreases in parental ADHD significantly predicted reduced child ADHD symptoms, but only among non-ADHD youth. Alternatively, increasing parental depression positively predicted change in teacher-rated ODD symptoms. These findings provide quasi-experimental evidence that parental ADHD and depression may be time-varying risk factors with respect to key dimensions of child externalizing behavior problems. We consider the potential dynamic and reciprocal interrelations among parental ADHD and depression with developmental change in offspring ADHD and ODD. We also discuss implications of parent psychopathology in the development of interventions to reduce the burden of youth ADHD and associated externalizing behavior.
WE-H-207B-03: MRI Guidance in the Radiation Therapy Clinic: Site-Specific Discussions

In recent years, steady progress has been made towards the implementation of MRI in external beam radiation therapy for processes ranging from treatment simulation to in-room guidance. Novel procedures relying mostly on MR data are currently implemented in the clinic. This session will cover topics such as (a) commissioning and quality control of the MR in-room imagers and simulators specific to RT, (b) treatment planning requirements, constraints and challenges when dealing with various MR data, (c) quantification of organ motion with an emphasis on treatment delivery guidance, and (d) MR-driven strategies for adaptive RT workflows. The content of the session was chosen to address both educational and practical key aspects of MR guidance. Learning Objectives: 1.Good understanding of MR testing recommended for in-room MR imaging as well as image data validation for RT chain (e.g. image transfer, filtering for consistency, spatial accuracy, manipulation for task specific); 2.Familiarity with MR-based planning procedures: motivation, core workflow requirements, current status, challenges; 3.Overview of the current methods for the quantification of organ motion; 4.Discussion on approaches for adaptive treatment planning and delivery. T. Stanescu - License agreement with Modus Medical Devices to develop a phantom for the quantification of MR image system-related distortions.; T. Stanescu, N/A
FPGA-based real-time LIM simulation of switching power converters

In this work we present a FPGA implementation of the Latency Insertion Method (LIM) to perform simulation of power electronics systems with high switching frequencies (e.g. SiC based power converter with ƒ sw = 100 − 200kHz). We describe how LIM is used to model a buck and a three phase AC/DC converter and how a FPGA solver based on this approach is implemented. Simulation test performed on a Virtex-7 are presented. All real-time simulations are performed with time steps of 40ns and smaller.
Psychopathology Subgroups and HIV Risk Among Women in Psychiatric Treatment

Among individuals with mental illness, the HIV infection rate is generally found to be substantially higher than in the general population. Understanding dimensions or subtypes of psychopathology linked with HIV risk behavior may enable development of targeted interventions to reduce HIV transmission. This study identified subgroups of women (n = 243) receiving outpatient psychiatric treatment based upon cluster analysis of indices of personality disorder and clinical symptom syndromes. High, medium, and low psychiatric severity cluster subgroups were found to differ significantly on key HIV risk variables. The high psychopathology subgroup revealed greater AIDS anxiety, more sexual partners, more sexual trading behaviors, less risk reduction self-efficacy, and less skill in condom usage than was found in one or both cluster subgroups characterized by less psychiatric severity. Results suggest that subgroups differentiated on the basis of levels of personality disorder and clinical symptom severity display differences in types and levels of HIV risk-related attitudes, beliefs, expectancies, skills, and behaviors that might guide development of tailored prevention intervention.
Evaluating tumor response with FDG PET: updates on PERCIST, comparison with EORTC criteria and clues to future developments

Eighteen years ago, the EORTC PET criteria standardized for the first time response assessment by FDG PET. Response assessment by FDG PET has been further developed and refined by PERCIST (PET response criteria in solid tumors). This review describes the data underlying these two systems for assessing tumor response on FDG PET/CT. It also summarizes recent clinical studies that have compared EORTC criteria and PERCIST with each other as well as with the anatomically based “response criteria in solid tumors” (RECIST). These studies have shown that response assessment by EORTC criteria and PERCIST leads to very similar response classifications. In contrast, there are significant differences between response assessment by PERCIST and RECIST. Preliminary data also suggest that response assessment by PERCIST is better correlated with patient outcome and may be a better predictor for the effectiveness of new anti-cancer therapies than RECIST. If correct, this could have a significant impact on oncologic drug development. However, confirmation of the better predictive value of response assessment by PERCIST by data from randomized trials is still lacking.
New species of arboreal predatory katydids from West Africa (Orthoptera: Tettigoniidae: Meconematinae)

A new genus (Brachyamytta n. gen.) and ten new species (Proamytta spinifera n. sp., Amyttosa insectivora n. sp., Anepitacta wrightae n. sp., Amyttopsis bakowskii n. sp., A. palmulicerca n. sp., Xiphidiola hokei n. sp., X. lobaticerca n. sp., Brachyamytta rapidoaestima n. sp., B. mculloughae n. sp., and B. maculipes n. sp.) of West African Meconematinae (Orthoptera: Tettigoniidae) are described. New distribution records for several species are presented, and unusual egg morphology of A. insectivora is discussed.
The Virgin Mary with an Asian Face

This chapter examines how Marianism has mediated ethnic collectivity between ethnic Vietnamese living in the U.S. and Cambodia. Immediately after U.S.-Vietnam normalization in 1995, Vietnamese American Catholics worked with co-religionists in Vietnam to change Our Lady of Lavang’s European image into a Vietnamese woman. This Vietnamese-looking Our Lady of Lavang has become global and preserves their unique experiences as political and religious refugees dispersed throughout the world, a history that is at risk of being erased under “racialized American multiculturalism.” However, this Vietnamese-looking Our Lady of Lavang has not been transplanted into Cambodia due to anti-Vietnamese hostilities and policies of “ethnic purification” by the French-led local church hierarchy. Instead, Vietnamese Catholics in Cambodia have been worshipping a gray, oxidized cast-iron statue of Our Lady of the Mekong River since 2003. As her popularity grows and circulates globally in the aftermath of Cambodia’s economic liberalization, ethnic Vietnamese Catholics in Cambodia have been able to attract sympathy and financial support from ethnic co-religionists in the U.S., who share a common history and experiences of religious persecution and racialization in their host countries.
Nuclear polyhedrosis virus transmission by Microplitis croceipes (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) adult females reared in infected Heliothis virescens (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) larvae.

Heliothis nuclear polyhedrosis virus (HNPV) transmission by Microplitis croceipes (Cresson) [Hymenoptera: Braconidae] that emerged from HNPV-infected Heliothis virescens (F.) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) larvae was investigated in the laboratory and in single plant cage tests on field grown soybean. In the laboratory a small percentage of the M croceipes adults (13.3%) from infected larvae transmitted Heliothis HNPV. The mortality from HNPV in larvae exposed as late second instars to female parasitoids was 20.0%. In a single plant cage test on soybean conducted in the field, however, the percentage of mortality from HNPV in larvae did not differ significantly from that in the control group. When larvae were caged with females that had been artificially contaminated with HNPV up to 79.2% of the H. virescens larvae died of HNPV.