cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Abstract 12: Localized delivery of the PARP inhibitor Talazoparib for chemoprevention of breast cancer

Mutations in BRCA genes are the leading cause of hereditary breast cancer and dramatically increase the lifetime risk of developing breast cancer. Anti-estrogen drugs are approved to reduce the risk of developing invasive breast cancer, but they are not effective for women with germline BRCA mutations and are limited by undesirable toxicities. Radical mastectomy provides a surgical option for high-risk patients for cancer prevention, but the physical and emotional challenges of such a radical surgery confirm that alternative approaches are needed. Our goal is to develop novel chemopreventive agents that are effective and safe for BRCA carriers. PARP inhibitors are effective for treating BRCA-mutated breast cancer patients, and we have shown that these drugs significantly delayed tumor development in BRCA-deficient mice. Here, we developed a novel implantable formulation of the PARP inhibitor Talazoparib for local delivery and thus provide a new therapeutic strategy for prevention of breast cancer. Talazoparib (TLZ) was encapsulated into spacer implants (InCeT-TLZ, 25 μg/mm) and is released in a linear manner from the implant over 30 days. When BRCA-deficient breast cancer cells were treated with the InCeT-TLZ implant in vitro, 83.1%±1.4% of the cells were dead after 7 days of treatment. To determine in vivo efficacy, age-matched BRCACo/Co;MMTV-Cre;p53+/-mice were randomized into three groups: empty spacers (2 mm), oral TLZ (50 μg given over 4 weeks), and InCeT-TLZ (50 μg, 2 mm). Using brachytherapy needles, spacers were implanted into mammary glands of the BRCA-deficient mice at 12, 16 and 20 weeks of age, before tumors had developed, and tissues were harvested 4 weeks after implantation. InCeT-TLZ significantly (p Citation Format: Di Zhang, Bijay Singh, Jessica Moerland, Owen Mitchell, Lizbeth Lockwood, Sarah Carapellucci, Srinivas Sridhar, Karen Liby. Localized delivery of the PARP inhibitor Talazoparib for chemoprevention of breast cancer [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research 2020; 2020 Apr 27-28 and Jun 22-24. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2020;80(16 Suppl):Abstract nr 12.
Tuning Organic Semiconductor Alignment and Aggregation via Nanoconfinement

The nanoconfinement of organic semiconductors in nanoporous media presents a means of manipulating molecular assembly and optoelectronic properties. This work introduces a solution-infiltration pro...
NFVi reference solution for 5G IPSec acceleration demonstrated via Three-Quarter Terabit (TQT) IPsec Gateway vRouter usecase

Network functions virtualization (NFV) has matured as a technology to the point that it is now being embraced operationally by communications service providers (CSPs) around the world, and we see a paradigm shift, where there are many field trials and proof-of-concept on 5G is aggressively encompassing all the verticals, and security is becoming increasingly important to successful Software Defined Networking (SDN) and Network Functions Virtualization (NFV) deployments for 5G. In this paper we discuss an implementation of a software router with hardware cryptographic acceleration to provide 750 Gbps (three-quarter terabit) IPsec performance.
InAs/InP Quantum Dash Semiconductor Coherent Comb Lasers and their Applications in Optical Networks

We report on the design, growth, and fabrication of InAs/InP quantum dash (QD) gain materials and their use in lasers for optical network applications. A noise performance comparison between QD and quantum well (QW) Fabry–Perot (F-P) lasers has been made. By using the QD gain material we have successfully developed and assembled C-band coherent comb laser (CCL) modules with an electrical fast feedback loop control system to ensure a targeted mode frequency spacing. The frequency spacing was maintained within ±100 ppm and the operation wavelengths locked on the desired ITU grid within 0.01 nm over a period of several months. We also investigated a 25-GHz C-band QD CCL with an external cavity self-injection feedback locking (SIFL) system to reduce the optical linewidth of each individual channel to below 200 kHz in the wavelength range from 1537.55 nm to 1545.14 nm. The RF mode beating signal 3-dB bandwidth was also reduced from 9 kHz to approximately 500 Hz with this SIFL system. These QD CCLs with ultra-low relative intensity noise (RIN), ultra-narrow optical linewidth, and ultra-low timing jitter are excellent laser sources for multi-terabit optical networks. Using a 34.2 GHz QD CCL we demonstrate 10.8 Tbit/s (16QAM 48 × 28 GBaud PDM) coherent data transmission over 100 km of standard single mode fiber (SSMF) and 5.4 Tbit/s (PAM-4 48 × 28 GBaud PDM) aggregate data transmission capacity over 25 km of SSMF with error-free operation.
RACE, SOCIAL CLASS, AND JURY PARTICIPATION: NEW DIMENSIONS FOR EVALUATING DISCRIMINATION IN JURY SERVICE AND JURY SELECTION

Abstract The U.S. Supreme Court has recognized the racial background of prospective jurors as an important dimension for evaluating jury participation. Recent Supreme Court decisions, however, have downplayed the importance of other relevant achieved status considerations, such as income and occupational standing, and the Court has yet to give social class “cognizable” status in evaluating the fairness of the jury selection system. The main thrust of this article is to examine whether jurors' social class status is equally as important as jurors' racial and ethnic characteristics in explaining disproportionate representation on jury panels. The research site is Orange County, California. Probit modelings are the analytic methods used. The analysis reveals that jurors' social class backgrounds are important determinants of jury participation, perhaps even more than racial and ethnic considerations of unrepresentative juries. The findings suggest that the analysis of jury representation based on a single criterion, such as race, does not delineate the true extent of discrimination in jury selection. For example, when jurors' social class backgrounds were incorporated into the analysis of jury participation, jurors' social class positions, measured by their occupational prestige, annual income, and managerial authority at the work place, exerted greater influence than race in explaining disproportionate jury representation. Similarly, when both the race and social class of jurors were simultaneously analyzed, African American and Hispanic prospective jurors with higher incomes and jobs of greater prestige were systematically overrepresented on jury panels. Since jurors' race and social class positions together provide a more comprehensive view of disproportionate jury representation by various segments of community populations, future Supreme Court decisions need to take both race and social class factors into consideration in order to evaluate unrepresentative juries and to assess the extent of systematic discrimination in jury selection.
Connexin hemichannel inhibitors with a focus on aminoglycosides.

Abstract Connexins are membrane proteins involved directly in cell-to-cell communication through the formation of gap-junctional channels. These channels result from the head-to-head docking of two hemichannels, one from each of two adjacent cells. Undocked hemichannels are also present at the plasma membrane where they mediate the efflux of molecules that participate in autocrine and paracrine signaling, but abnormal increase in hemichannel activity can lead to cell damage in disorders such as cardiac infarct, stroke, deafness, cataracts, and skin diseases. For this reason, connexin hemichannels have emerged as a valid therapeutic target. Know small molecule hemichannel inhibitors are not ideal leads for the development of better drugs for clinical use because they are not specific and/or have toxic effects. Newer inhibitors are more selective and include connexin mimetic peptides, anti-connexin antibodies and drugs that reduce connexin expression such as antisense oligonucleotides. Re-purposed drugs and their derivatives are also promising because of the significant experience with their clinical use. Among these, aminoglycoside antibiotics have been identified as inhibitors of connexin hemichannels that do not inhibit gap-junctional channels. In this review, we discuss connexin hemichannels and their inhibitors, with a focus on aminoglycoside antibiotics and derivatives of kanamycin A that inhibit connexin hemichannels, but do not have antibiotic effect.
Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors in the Management of Urothelial Carcinoma.

Urothelial carcinoma is one of the most common cancers in the United States, yet outcomes are historically suboptimal. Since 2016, the approval of five programmed cell death 1 and programmed death-ligand 1 immune checkpoint inhibitors for locally advanced and metastatic urothelial carcinoma has led to improved oncologic outcomes for many patients in the second-line setting. Two checkpoint inhibitors, pembrolizumab and atezolizumab subsequently earned approval for first-fine therapy with restricted indications. More recently, pembrolizumab was approved for bacillus Calmette-Guerin-unresponsive high-risk non-muscle invasive bladder cancer, opening the door for other immune checkpoint inhibitors to be integrated into treatment in earlier disease stages. Recent bacillus Calmette-Guerin shortages have highlighted the need for alternative treatment options for patients with non-muscle invasive bladder cancer. Currently, there are no FDA-approved checkpoint inhibitors for non-metastatic muscle-invasive bladder cancer. Furthermore, many patients are ineligible for standard cisplatin-based chemotherapy regimens. Numerous ongoing clinical trials are employing immune checkpoint inhibitors for muscle-invasive bladder cancer patients in the neoadjuvant, adjuvant, perioperative, and bladder-sparing setting. Although up to 10% of urothelial carcinoma tumors arise in the upper urinary tract, few studies are designed for this population. We highlight the need for more trials designed for patients with upper tract disease. Overall, there are numerous clinical trials investigating the safety and efficacy of immune checkpoint inhibitors in all stages of disease as single-agents and combined with dual-immune checkpoint inhibition, chemotherapy, radiotherapy, and other pharmacologic agents. As the field continues to evolve rapidly, we aim to provide an overview of recent and ongoing immunotherapy clinical trials in urothelial carcinoma.
Pulmonary Disease in the Elderly

Normal aging is associated with changes in the volumes and mechanics of pulmonary function. Representing one of the most integrated of physiological processes, pulmonary function and reserve are affected by age and further compromised by environmental factors and age-prevalent illnesses.
Use of Litmus Milk Agar for Presumptive Identification of Cutaneous Propionibacteria

Presumptive identification of cutaneous propionibacteria can be achieved with litmus milk agar as medium.
Genome Effects and Mutational Risk of Radiation

Ionizing radiation is a part of the natural environment humans are exposed to on Earth. For cells, ionizing radiation is only one of many sources of stress that will be experienced during the course of a lifetime. The primary cellular target of ionizing radiation is DNA. Damage to DNA caused by ionizing radiation leads to mutations in somatic cells, often resulting in cancer; mutations of germ cells lead to hereditary mutations and, theoretically, genetic diseases. In addition, the presence of damaged nuclear DNA in cells can lead to genomic instability – a cellular state that can result in the accumulation of new mutations even several cell divisions after the DNA damage event. Types of mutations created in each case are slightly different and accumulate in nuclear, genomic DNA as well as mitochondrial genomes. The situation is further complicated by dissimilar effects of radiation of differing qualities, doses, and dose rates. Moreover, identical radiation treatments can have on different effects on specific cell types under specific environmental and physiological conditions, in organisms of different species, or different gender. Despite extensive efforts, there is much that is still not understood about radiation exposure, and the coming years will offer more opportunities to explore these areas.
Are rhoptries in Apicomplexan parasites secretory granules or secretory lysosomal granules

Summary The club-shaped rhoptries in Apicomplexan parasites are one of the most unusual secretory organelles among the eukaryotes, containing unusual lipid and protein cargo that is specialized for intracellular parasitism. Rhoptries have traditionally been viewed strictly as regulated secretory granules. We discuss in this article recent data on the cargo, function and biogenesis of rhoptries in two parasitic model systems, Toxoplasma and Plasmodium. Current findings suggest that rhoptries receive products from both biosynthetic and endocytic pathways and, therefore, they are most analogous to secretory lysosomal granules found in mammalian cells.
Some Tax Problems of Students and Scholars

This Article will deal with three areas of application of the Internal Revenue Code of 1954 which affect particularly the scholar, the scientist, and the advanced student preparing for an academic career: The tax treatment of educational and research expenses, of awards and prizes made in recognition of scholastic or scientific achievements, and of scholarships and fellowships. The group whose special tax problems are discussed here is numerically small and has little voice in the legislative process which produces our revenue laws. The relative scarcity of case law would also indicate that its members do not often have the financial resources necessary to litigate their tax problems and the deficiency amounts involved would normally be relatively small. The Treasury ought to be aware of both these factors in preparing its regulations and rulings.
Reactivation studies of an affinity labeled steroid oxido-reductase

Abstract 20β-Hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (E.C.1.1.1.53), which had been completely inactivated with 6β-bromoacetoxyprogesterone at pH 7.0, was reactivated by elevating the pH. The rate of reactivation is pH dependant, characteristic of base-catalysed ester hydrolysis. Similar experiments with 6β-bromoprogesterone fail to produce reactivation of the affinity labeled enzyme. Formation and scission of different types of covalent bonds during affinity labeling and reactivation attempts accounts for the different result obtained with each steroid. The activity of the reactivated steroid oxido-reductase vs the native enzyme, and also substrate stabilization of the enzyme are discussed.
The evolution of TQM: An empirical analysis using the business process change framework

Purpose – Business process change (BPC) is an organizational initiative to achieve significant improvement in performance and has been extensively reported in the information systems literature. Total quality management (TQM) has been employed to improve the quality of processes within a business unit. In this research an attempt is made to link BPC with TQM.Design/methodology/approach – Using case‐study methodology, an attempt is made to connect the two fields. Specifically, examines how quality management falls within the various BPC constructs.Findings – Results of this study indicate that the BPC concept is generalizable to accommodate TQM.Originality/value – This has important ramifications for both practitioners and researchers. Practitioners will now have a methodology that is flexible to adjust as the demands of the business evolve from quality objectives into other needs such as mass customization and shortened lead times. The results of this study provide a theoretical model to the evolution of ...
Physical and Emotional Impacts of the Caregiving Experience

Informal caregiving has become a widespread phenomenon, with family members and friends providing care for patients who have chronic or terminal illnesses and prefer to remain in their homes. The physical and emotional impacts of this unpaid work upon the caregiver can range from minor to severe. This study sought to identify qualities about the caregiving situation that may relate to the presentation of physical and/or emotional symptoms in the caregiver.
The ethical challenges of a randomized controlled trial of involuntary outpatient commitment

Involuntary outpatient commitment (OPC) is a civil justice procedure intended to enhance compliance with community mental health treatment, to improve functioning, and to reduce recurrent dangerousness and hospital recidivism. The research literature on OPC indicates that it appears to improve outcomes in rates of rehospitalization and length of stay. However, all studies to date have serious methodological limitations because of selection bias; lack of specification of target populations; unclear operationalization of OPC; unmeasured variability in type, frequency, and intensity of treatment; as well as other confounding factors. To address limitations in these studies, the authors designed a randomized controlled trial (RCT) of OPC, combined with community-based case management, which is now under way in North Carolina. This article describes ethical dilemmas in designing and implementing an RCT of a legally coercive intervention in community-based settings. These ethical dilemmas challenge the experimental validity of an RCT but can be successfully addressed with careful planning and negotiation.
Prognostic significance of lymphovascular invasion in radical prostatectomy specimens

Study Type – Prognosis (case series) Level of Evidence 4 What’s known on the subject? and What does the study add? The reported incidence of lymphovascular invasion (LVI) in radical prostatectomy specimens ranges from 5% to 53%. Although LVI has a strong and significant association with adverse clinicopathologic features, it has almost uniformly not been found to be a predictor of biochemical recurrence (BR) on multivariate analysis. This study confirms that LVI is associated with features of aggressive disease and is an independent predictor of BCR. Given that LVI may play a role in the metastatic process, it may be useful in clinical decision-making regarding adjuvant therapy for patients treated with RP. OBJECTIVES To determine whether lymphovascular invasion (LVI) in radical prostatectomy (RP) specimens has prognostic significance. The study examined whether LVI is associated with clinicopathological characteristics and biochemical recurrence (BCR). PATIENTS AND METHODS LVI was evaluated based on routine pathology reports on 1298 patients treated with RP for clinically localized prostate cancer between 2004 and 2007. LVI was defined as the unequivocal presence of tumour cells within an endothelium-lined space. The association between LVI and clinicopathological features was assessed with univariate logistic regression. Cox regression was used to test the association between LVI and BCR. RESULTS LVI was identified in 10% (129/1298) of patients. The presence of LVI increased with advancing pathological stage: 2% (20/820) in pT2N0 patients, 16% (58/363) in pT3N0 patients and 17% (2/12) in pT4N0 patients; and was highest in patients with pN1 disease (52%; 49/94). Univariate analysis showed an association between LVI and higher preoperative prostate-specific antigen levels and Gleason scores, and a greater likelihood of extraprostatic extension, seminal vesicle invasion, lymph node metastasis and positive surgical margins (all P < 0.001). With a median follow-up of 27 months, LVI was significantly associated with an increased risk of BCR after RP on univariate (P < 0.001) and multivariate analysis (hazard ratio, 1.77; 95% confidence interval, 1.11–2.82; P= 0.017). As a result of the relatively short follow-up, the predictive accuracy of the standard clinicopathological features was high (concordance index, 0.880), and inclusion of LVI only marginally improved the predictive accuracy (0.884). CONCLUSIONS Although associated with features of aggressive disease and BCR, LVI added minimally to established predictors on short follow-up. Further study of cohorts with longer follow-up is warranted to help determine its prognostic significance.
Using Synchronous Videoconferencing to Deliver Family-Based Mental Healthcare

Abstract Objectives: Leading telemental healthcare programs are increasingly harnessing new technologies in innovative ways to broaden the reach of supported care for children and adolescents. Technology-based delivery methods drawing on synchronous videoteleconferencing can transcend geographic barriers to quality care and remotely provide real-time services to affected families, regardless of their proximity to an expert mental health facility. Methods: The present review considers critical issues specific to family-based telemental healthcare, including: 1) Navigating varying levels of technological literacy across generations of participants; 2) deciding which family members to include in family-based telemental healthcare; 3) ensuring the safety of participants in family-based telemental healthcare; 4) optimizing therapeutic alliance and engagement in family-based telemental healthcare; 5) navigating logistical concerns in the conducting of sessions; and 6) ensuring privacy in family-based telemental...
Gabapentin in Headache Disorders: What Is the Evidence?

Objective. Gabapentin (GBP), originally an antiepileptic drug, is more commonly used in the treatment of pain, including headache disorders. Off-label GBP is used in headache disorders with some success, some failure, and much debate. Due to this ambiguity, a clinical evidence literature review was performed investigating GBP's efficacy in headache disorders. Methods. Bibliographic reference searches for GBP use in headache disorders were performed in PUBMED and OVID Medline search engines from January 1, 1983 to August 31, 2014. Based on abstracts read by two reviewers, references were excluded if: GBP was not a study compound or headache symptoms were not studied. The resulting references were then read, reviewed, and analyzed. Results. Fifty-six articles pertinent to GBP use in headache disorders were retained. Eight headache clinical trials were quality of evidence Class 2 or higher based on American Academy of Neurology criteria. Seven of the eight clinical trials showed statistically significant clinical benefit from GBP in various headache syndromes (though modest affects at times). One study, Mathew et al., had concerns about intention-treat analysis breaches and primary outcomes. Conclusion. Despite the conflicting evidence surrounding select studies, a significant amount of evidence shows that GBP has benefit for a majority of primary headache syndromes, including chronic daily headaches. GBP has some efficacy in migraine headache, but not sufficient evidence to suggest primary therapy. When primary headache treatments fail, a GBP trial may be considered in the individual patient.
Identification of the glucagon receptor in rat liver membranes by photoaffinity crosslinking

Abstract The photoaffinity crosslinker hydroxysuccinimidyl-p-azidobenzoate was used to attach 125I-labeled glucagon covalently to a rat liver membrane protein of Mr ≈ 53,000. Membranes that had been incubated with 125I-labeled glucagon were treated in the dark with hydroxysuccinimidyl-p-azidobenzoate, and a covalent complex was then formed by irradiation with ultraviolet light. Characteristics of 125I-labeled glucagon binding and covalent attachment to the Mr 53,000 peptide were consistent with this peptide being a component of the glucagon receptor involved in the activation of adenylate cyclase [ATP pyrophosphate-lyase (cyclizing), EC 4.6.1.1]. Binding and covalent attachment of 125I-labeled glucagon to the Mr 53,000 peptide were inhibited by glucagon concentrations that were within the dose-response curve for adenylate cyclase activation, and GTP specifically decreased the photoaffinity crosslinking of 125I-labeled glucagon to the Mr 53,000 peptides. Insulin did not compete for the photoaffinity crosslinking of 125I-labeled glucagon. The same technique of photoaffinity crosslinking that covalently attached 125I-labeled glucagon to the Mr 53,000 peptide with an efficiency of 1-2% can be used to attach 125I-labeled insulin covalently to a Mr 125,000 peptide with an efficiency of approximately 10%. This peptide has been shown to be a subunit of the high-affinity insulin-binding site in rat liver membranes. The technique of photoaffinity crosslinking with agents like hydroxysuccinimidyl-p-azidobenzoate provides a rapid, simple method of covalently attaching ligands to their putative receptors. Photoaffinity crosslinking does not require chemical modification of the labeled ligand and has a less stringent requirement for specific reactive groups than the commonly used bifunctional crosslinking reagents.
An analytic solution to the steady‐state double adiabatic equations

20 moment transport equations applicable to low β plasmas of thermal origin in rotating planetary magnetospheres are presented. An analytic solution is found for a set of simplified equations describing the steady-state transport of collisionless plasma neglecting heat flow effects, which is also known as the double adiabatic situation [Chew et al., 1956]. The new element of this analytic solution is a closed form solution for the variation of the parallel flow velocity, u∥, along magnetic field lines. The solution is significantly different from the often used assumption that, in the collisionless regime, the divergence of the parallel flow velocity is negligible (cf. [Burgers, 1969]). It is shown that only T⟂/B remains constant along the field line (as predicted by earlier calculations), while the density, parallel temperature and parallel Mach number vary as n/B∝1/u∥, T∥⧜1/u∥², and M∥⧜u∥², respectively (in contrast to earlier predictions of n/B=const, T∥=const, and M∥=const.).
Characterization of water vapor transport in glassy polyacrylonitrile by combined permeation and sorption techniques

Abstract Diffusion time lags, steady state permeabilities and sorption/desorption kinetics are reported for water vapor in biaxially oriented, solvent cast polyacrylonitrile (PAN) films. A wide range of vapor activities was studied at 15°C, 30°C, and 45°C. The transient and steady state permeation behavior at low and intermediate upstream vapor activities suggests that Fickian transport occurs under most of the conditions studied. Specifically, time lags predicted by Fick's law using the concentration-dependent diffusion coefficient derived from steady state permeation measurements agree reasonably well with experimentally measured values in most cases. p]Integral sorption/desorption kinetics at low and intermediate vapor activities also appear to be Fickian with a concentration-dependent diffusion coefficient. The form of the concentration dependency, evaluated from the “long time” solution of the diffusion equation for sorption experiments, is consistent with the form established for the diffusion coefficient from the steady-state permeation data. The diffusion coefficient exhibits a maximum near the concentration at which clustering is initiated. Presumably, the effective diffusion coefficient of water increases initially due to plasticizing or dual mode sorption effects associated with gap filling in the glassy matrix. As clustering becomes significant, the effective mobility of water is substantially reduced; therefore, the diffusion coefficient decreases at higher activities as clustering becomes the dominant mode of sorption. p]A tendency of the “early time” sorption/desorption kinetic data to exhibit concavity to the square root time axis at high activities suggests that time-dependent reductions in the diffusion coefficient may be occurring. Such reductions could be related to the kinetics of cluster formation at the higher vapor activities during sorption and to slow polymer consolidation during desorption. Any such non-Fickian effects, related to chain segment relaxations occurring over time scales similar to those of a diffusional jump, appear to be of importance only at short times. The short time nature of any such processes is suggested by the fact that diffusion coefficients evaluated from the “long time” solution to the diffusion equation for sorption are consistent with coefficients evaluated from steady state permeation data, in which case all time-dependent relaxation phenomena should be absent.
Induction of cell arrest in G2: structural specificity of trigonelline

Abstract Synthetic analogues of N -methyl nicotinic acid, trigonelline, were prepared to test the structural features necessary for the induction of cellular arrest in G2 in Pisum sativum . Analogues that (1) were regioisomers of trigonelline, (2) possessed different 1,3-substituents, and (3) contained additional substituents on the pyridine ring were tested for their ability to induce cell arrest in G2 and to antagonize trigonelline induced arrest in G2. Only N -methyi-3-quinoline-carboxylic acid and 1-methyl nicotinamide induced cell arrest in G2, and 1-methyl-4-pyridine carboxylic acid and 1-methyl-2-pyridine carboxylic acid were effective trigonelline antagonists. These data further support a specific role for trigonelline in the induction of cell arrest in G2.
Comparative Light, Scanning, and Transmission Electron Microscopic Study of Chemically Induced Premalignant Lesions in Hamster' Cheek Pouch

The early chemically induced epithelial dysplastic changes in the hamster' cheek pouch were studied using light, scanning, and transmission electron microscopy. Epithelial dysplasia was noticed on the light microscopic level by the sixth week of the experiment and became marked by the eighth week. At the scanning electron microscopic level, surface alterations with features previously reported in early epithelial dysplasis in human and oral mucosa were seen by the second week of the experiment and progressed over time. These early changes were also confirmed at the ultrastructural level. The usefulness of scanning and transmission microscopy in detecting early oral epithelial dysplastic changes in this animal model is discussed.
Mitosis and cytokinesis in androgonidia of Volvox carteri f. weismannia

Reproductive cells (androgonidia) ofVolvox carteri f.weismannia divide to form packets of 64 or 128 sperm cells. The androgonidium morphology, stages of mitosis, and cytokinesis were examined by electron microscopy. The biflagellate androgonidium loses its flagella before mitosis but the flagellar bases at the anterior end of the cell are retained. Two additional basal bodies are formed and the nucleus migrates from its central position to the area of the basal bodies before mitosis begins. A five-layered kinetochore is present on the chromosomes and remnant nucleolar material persists during mitosis. A furrow at the chloroplast end of the cell and the formation of phycoplast microtubules and vesicles signal the beginning of cytokinesis at early telophase. The cells maintain cytoplasmic connections until after the packet of sperm cells completes its development.
Aesthetics in displacement – Hmong, Somali and Mexican home‐making practices in Minnesota

Personalizing a residential environment has long been recognized among the dimensions of home. Little research though has focused on understanding the home-making process of aesthetic construction under conditions of displacement. Questions still abound: What does the notion of aesthetics entail in displacement? Do immigrant groups construct a sense of difference in the home, and if so, how? And, what can impede their efforts? Answering these questions sheds light on the opportunities that arise when interdisciplinary connections between architectural, housing and consumer studies are formed. Using data from in-depth interviews conducted in the homes of three displaced groups now living in Minnesota (Hmong, Somali and Mexicans), this paper explores the above questions and proposes theoretical and practical directions for supporting diverse housing needs. Delving into the living and socializing areas, the discussion uncovers the material and immaterial forms that aesthetic constructions can take: from decorative objects to colours, textures, materials, light levels, furniture placement and type as well as sound and smell. Interviewees varied in the number of cultural expressions they employed and degree to which they invested time, energy and funds to personalize their homes. Their efforts though were often purposive: a means to connect to a homeland, pass down one's cultural traditions to future generations, foster alliances with others from the same cultural group and a form of constructing difference. Particularly insightful are the impediments those interviewed endured in constructing an aesthetic they resonated with. Factors like spatiality, religious beliefs, regulations, income limitations, construction norms and availability of objects to purchase often suppressed their attempts to transform the spaces they lived in into places they can relate to, threatening in the process the group's cultural identity definition and creating stress in their lives. Given that home-making is found to be inextricably tied to consumer studies through behaviours like purchasing products, the paper closes with the implications of rethinking aesthetics as well as directions for future research.
Bypass surgery for complex brain aneurysms: an assessment of intracranial-intracranial bypass.

OBJECTIVE: Bypass surgery for brain aneurysms is evolving from extracranial-intracranial (EC-IC) to intracranial-intracranial (IC-IC) bypasses that reanastomose parent arteries, revascularize efferent branches with in situ donor arteries or reimplantation, and reconstruct bifurcated anatomy with grafts that are entirely intracranial. We compared results with these newer IC-IC bypasses to conventional EC-IC bypasses. METHODS: During a 10-year period, 82 patients underwent bypass surgery as part of their aneurysm management. A quarter of the patients presented with ruptured aneurysms and two-thirds presented with compressive symptoms from unruptured aneurysms. Most aneurysms (82%) had non-saccular morphology and 56% were giant sized. Common locations included the cavernous internal carotid artery (23%), middle cerebral artery (20%), and posteroinferior cerebellar artery (12%). RESULTS: Forty-seven patients (57%) received EC-IC bypasses and 35 patients (43%) received IC-IC bypasses, including 9 in situ bypasses, 6 reimplantations, 11 reanastomoses, and 9 intracranial grafts. Aneurysm obliteration rates were comparable in EC-IC and IC-IC bypass groups (97.9% and 97.1%, respectively), as were bypass patency rates (94% and 89%, respectively). Three patients died (surgical mortality, 3.7%), and 4 patients were permanently worse as a result of bypass occlusions (neurological morbidity, 4.9%). At late follow-up (mean duration, 41 months), good outcomes (Glasgow Outcome Scale score 5 or 4) were measured in 68 patients (90%) overall, and were similar in EC-IC and IC-IC bypass groups (91% and 89%, respectively). Changes in Glasgow Outcome Scale score were slightly more favorable with IC-IC bypass (6% worse or dead after IC-IC bypass versus 14% with EC-IC bypass). CONCLUSION: IC-IC bypasses compare favorably to EC-IC bypasses in terms of aneurysm obliteration rates, bypass patency rates, and neurological outcomes. IC-IC bypasses can be more technically challenging to perform, but they do not require harvest of extracranial donor arteries, spare patients a neck incision, shorten interposition grafts, are protected inside the cranium, use caliber-matched donor and recipient arteries, and are not associated with ischemic complications during temporary arterial occlusions. IC-IC bypass can replace conventional EC-IC bypass with more anatomic reconstructions for selected aneurysms involving the middle cerebral artery, posteroinferior cerebellar artery, anterior cerebral artery, and basilar apex.
Polymer diodes using poly(3,4-dicyanothiophene)

Abstract We have succeeded in the in-situ polymerization of thin, highly homogeneous films of poly(3,4-dicyanothiophene), PDCTh, on conducting substrates by heating the precursor monomer, 2,5-diiodo-3,4-dicyanothiophene. As a result of the presence of two cyano substituents on the thiophene backbone, PDCTh is an electronegative polymer, with depressed HOMO (6.7 eV) and LUMO (3.6 eV) levels. We demonstrate a polymer diode using PDCTh and poly(2-methoxy-5-(2′-ethyl-hexyloxy)-1,4-phenylene vinylene), MEH-PPV. The device, which has the structure Au/PDCTh/MEH-PPV/Au, has rectification ratios in the current voltage characteristics in excess of 10 3 and is a photodiode with a dc sensitivity at -3 V reverse bias of 4×10 −4 A/W or a quantum yield of 0.1% electrons/photon
Small B-cluster ions induced damage in silicon

Abstract Small molecule-cluster ions, such as BF2, BSi, BGe, B10H14 and Bn can be used for shallow junction formation. We studied the cluster induced damage in silicon with different small clusters in keV energy range. The radiation damage was measured by glancing angle RBS/channeling. The measurement shows that the cluster induced damage per atom is quite different from the monomer ion induced damage at the same velocity. The small-cluster ions show strong enhanced radiation damage per atom. In this paper we will show non-linear effects on small boron-cluster induced damage in silicon. The cluster size dependence of this non-linear effect will also be presented.
The prequantization representations of the Poisson Lie algebra

La definition des representations de prequantification. Cohomologie de DeRham et la cohomologie de C ∞ (X,ω). Reduction pour trouver des solutions locales de Sm+K(θ)=0. Solutions locales de Sm+K(θ)=0. Classification des representations de prequantification
Microgel mechanics in biomaterial design.

ConspectusThe field of polymeric biomaterials has received much attention in recent years due to its potential for enhancing the biocompatibility of systems and devices applied to drug delivery and tissue engineering. Such applications continually push the definition of biocompatibility from relatively straightforward issues such as cytotoxicity to significantly more complex processes such as reducing foreign body responses or even promoting/recapitulating natural body functions. Hydrogels and their colloidal analogues, microgels, have been and continue to be heavily investigated as viable materials for biological applications because they offer numerous, facile avenues in tailoring chemical and physical properties to approach biologically harmonious integration. Mechanical properties in particular are recently coming into focus as an important manner in which biological responses can be altered.In this Account, we trace how mechanical properties of microgels have moved into the spotlight of research effo...
AAA+ Molecular Machines: Firing on All Cylinders

AAA+ ATPase protein machines use the power obtained from ATP hydrolysis to remodel macromolecular assemblies in the cell. Recent work in Escherichia coli on the ClpX AAA+ protein reveals fundamental mechanical principles that underlie ClpX motor function.
Control flow based obfuscation

A software obfuscator is a program O to transform a source program P for protection against malicious reverse engineering. O should be correct (O(P) has same functionality with P), resilient (O(P) is resilient against attacks), and effective (O(P) is not too much slower than P). In this paper we describe the design of an obfuscator which consists of two parts. The first part extracts the control flow information from the program and saves it in another process named Monitor-process. The second part protects Monitor-process converting it into an Aucsmith like self-modifying version. We prove the correctness of the obfuscation scheme. We assess its resilience and efficiency to show that both are This supports the claim that our approach is practical.
Structural Integrity Code and Regulatory Issues in the Design of High Temperature Reactors

Since the 1980s, the ASME Code has made numerous improvements in elevated-temperature structural integrity technology. These advances have been incorporated into Section II, Section VIII, Code Cases, and particularly Subsection NH of Section III of the Code, “Components in Elevated Temperature Service.” The current need for designs for very high temperature and for Gen IV systems requires the extension of operating temperatures from about 1400°F (760°C) to about 1742°F (950°C) where creep effects limit structural integrity, safe allowable operating conditions, and design life. Materials that are more creep and corrosive resistant are needed for these higher operating temperatures. Material models are required for cyclic design analyses. Allowable strains, creep fatigue and creep rupture interaction evaluation methods are needed to provide assurance of structural integrity for such very high temperature applications. Current ASME Section III design criteria for lower operating temperature reactors are intended to prevent through-wall cracking and leaking and corresponding criteria are needed for high temperature reactors. Subsection NH of Section III was originally developed to provide structural design criteria and limits for elevated-temperature design of Liquid-Metal Fast Breeder Reactor (LMFBR) systems and some gas-cooled systems. The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) and its Advisory Committee for Reactor Safeguards (ACRS) reviewed the design limits and procedures in the process of reviewing the Clinch River Breeder Reactor (CRBR) for a construction permit in the late 1970s and early 1980s, and identified issues that needed resolution. In the years since then, the NRC, DOE and various contractors have evaluated the applicability of the ASME Code and Code Cases to high-temperature reactor designs such as the VHTGRs, and identified issues that need to be resolved to provide a regulatory basis for licensing. The design lifetime of Gen IV Reactors is expected to be 60 years. Additional materials including Alloy 617 and Hastelloy X need to be fully characterized. Environmental degradation effects, especially impure helium and those noted herein, need to be adequately considered. Since cyclic finite element creep analyses will be used to quantify creep rupture, creep fatigue, creep ratcheting and strain accumulations, creep behavior models and constitutive relations are needed for cyclic creep loading. Such strain- and time-hardening models must account for the interaction between the time-independent and time-dependent material response. This paper describes the evolving structural integrity evaluation approach for high temperature reactors. Evaluation methods are discussed, including simplified analysis methods, detailed analyses of localized areas, and validation needs. Regulatory issues including weldment cracking, notch weakening, creep fatigue/creep rupture damage interactions, and materials property representations for cyclic creep behavior are also covered.Copyright © 2008 by ASME
Hyperthermic potentiation of chromosome aberrations by anticancer antibiotics

In view of the success of hyperthermia as a modality in cancer treatment, we have studied its effect on chromosomes in combination with anticancer antibiotics. Three classes of chemicals, one with a non-delayed type of effect (adriamycin), one with a delayed type of effect (mitomycin C), and one with a truely radiomimetic effect (bleomycin) were selected for study on human lymphocytes and Chinese hamster K-l cells. Propane sultone was also included because its effect on plants is suppressed by hyperthermia. The data show increased potential of these chemicals to induce chromosome aberrations when applied at temperatures higher than 37° C, irrespective of the phase of cell cycle. The potentiation may be due to true synergism (bleomycin) or facilitation of entry of larger quantities of the drug (adriamycin). No potentiating effect was observed on the induction of sister chromatid exchanges (SCEs).
High [K+] alters the stimulus-hydrosmotic response coupling in toad bladder

Substitution of K+ for Na+ in the Ringer solution bathing the inner surface of toad urinary bladders (Bufo marinus) had no effect on basal water permeability but significantly altered the stimulus-hydrosmotic response of this epithelium. In chloride-Ringer, high [K+] increased the hydrosmotic responses to submaximal stimulations induced by vasopressin or exogenous cAMP, while the responses to theophylline or serosal hypertonicity were decreased. In sulfate-Ringer, all these responses were enhanced but for that induced by serosal hypertonicity which was actually diminished. As a step towards determining if Ca2+ might mediate the K+-induced effects on water flow, experiments were conducted either in the presence of a Ca2+ “antagonist” (cobalt) or in nominally Ca2+-free Ringer. In both conditions the hydrosmotic effects of vasopressin and cAMP were markedly reduced. The results raise the possibility that a transient Ca2+ influx through voltage-sensitive, Co2+-blockable Ca2+ channels may play a role in the stimulushydrosmotic response of toad urinary bladder.
The mutation buffering concept of biomolecular structure

Redundant elements in proteins and nucleic acids serve to buffer the effect of point mutations on features of conformation critical for function. Mutation buffering associated with mechanistically redundant amino acids facilitates the evolution of proteins. Such redundant amino acids accumulate by hitch-hiking along with the evolutionary advances which they facilitate. Redundancies in DNA (such as introns and repetitive DNA) prevent extraneous sequence dependent conformational effects from interfering with readout. They also facilitate regulatory evolution. According to the mutation buffering concept biological organizations are selected to facilitate evolution. As a consequence biological information processing is very different from information processing in man-made computers. The link between molecular conformation, evolutionary processes, and information processing is formulated in terms of a tradeoff principle. By utilizing mutation buffering biological systems sacrifice programmability; by achieving programmability digital computers make mutation buffering computationally expensive and hence sacrifice evolutionary adaptability.
The zona pellucida-initiated acrosome reaction: defect due to mutations in the sperm glycine receptor/Cl(-) channel.

Abstract The mammalian sperm acrosome reaction (AR) is essential to fertilization, and the egg zona pellucida (ZP) is generally believed to be an in vivo initiator of the fertilizing sperm AR. Previously a neuronal glycine receptor/Cl− channel (GlyR) was detected on the plasma membrane of mammalian sperm and earlier pharmacological studies suggested that this receptor/channel is important to the ZP-initiated AR. Here, sperm from mice with mutations in the neuronal GlyR α or β subunits (spasmodic and spastic) were shown to be deficient in their ability to undergo the AR initiated in vitro by glycine or by solubilized ZP from mouse eggs. However, both spontaneous and calcium ionophore (A23187)-initiated AR were unaffected. The ZP-initiated AR in wild-type sperm was maximal after 2 h of capacitation, but capacitation of sperm from spasmodic mice for up to 3 h did not result in significant ZP-initiated AR. Similar results were observed when sperm from wild-type and spastic mice were compared. Testis from mice with the β subunit mutation contained truncated β subunit mRNAs. Moreover, a monoclonal antibody against GlyR completely blocked ZP initiation of AR in normal mouse sperm. Our results are consistent with an essential role for the sperm GlyR in the ZP-initiated AR.