SCF-MO and Monte Carlo Calculations of Poly (Dimethylsiloxane)

Self-consistent-field molecular orbital calculations are being used more and more extensively in determining the energies and properties of various confirmations of polymers. We are using the semi-quantum mechanical procedure MNDO (moderate neglect of differential overlap) to obtain various rotational conformations states of poly(dimethylsiloxane) (PDMS). Before calculation of these states, the molecule is geometrically optimized by using the ab initio procedure Guassian 86 at the 3-21G basis set level. Generations of 144 rotational states by rotating about two bonds simultaneously in increments of 30° were created. A potential energy surface was created from which Monte Carlo generated several polymer characteristics including characteristic ratio and radial distributions

Modulation of cognitive performance and mood by aromas of peppermint and ylang-ylang

This study provides further evidence for the impact of the aromas of plant essential oils on aspects of cognition and mood in healthy participants. One hundred and forty-four volunteers were randomly assigned to conditions of ylang-ylang aroma, peppermint aroma, or no aroma control. Cognitive performance was assessed using the Cognitive Drug Research computerized assessment battery, with mood scales completed before and after cognitive testing. The analysis of the data revealed significant differences between conditions on a number of the factors underpinning the tests that constitute the battery. Peppermint was found to enhance memory whereas ylang-ylang impaired it, and lengthened processing speed. In terms of subjective mood peppermint increased alertness and ylang-ylang decreased it, but significantly increased calmness. These results provide support for the contention that the aromas of essential oils can produce significant and idiosyncratic effects on both subjective and objective assessments of aspects of human behavior. They are discussed with reference to possible pharmacological and psychological modes of influence

The Vehicle, Spring 2000

Vol. 41, No. 2 Table of Contents UntitledMatthew A. Thomaspage 4 Fred\u27s PenAutumn Williamspage 5 tomatoesDave Moutraypage 6 AFRICABusinge Roger Godfreypage 7 seeking OutKim Hunterpage 8 Razorblade, Crystal I.Jason Brownpage 9 UntitledMegan Guernseypage 10 CoyoteAutumn Williamspage 11 BaptizedStephanie Carpenterpage 13 BrotherTara Coburnpage 14 My 1984Dave Moutraypage 15 what little boys and girls are made ofKristi Brownfieldpage 17 To GerriMegan Guernseypage 19 JunieJoe Raabpage 20 BeatWes Paytonpage 21 MercyAutumn Williamspage 23 TravelingDenise Fitzerpage 24 UntitledMatthew A. Thomaspage 25 a story of rapeAnnie Whitepage 26 Teddy RhexisPaul Austerpage 30https://thekeep.eiu.edu/vehicle/1074/thumbnail.jp

The Vehicle, Spring 2000

Vol. 41, No. 2 Table of Contents UntitledMatthew A. Thomaspage 4 Fred\u27s PenAutumn Williamspage 5 tomatoesDave Moutraypage 6 AFRICABusinge Roger Godfreypage 7 seeking OutKim Hunterpage 8 Razorblade, Crystal I.Jason Brownpage 9 UntitledMegan Guernseypage 10 CoyoteAutumn Williamspage 11 BaptizedStephanie Carpenterpage 13 BrotherTara Coburnpage 14 My 1984Dave Moutraypage 15 what little boys and girls are made ofKristi Brownfieldpage 17 To GerriMegan Guernseypage 19 JunieJoe Raabpage 20 BeatWes Paytonpage 21 MercyAutumn Williamspage 23 TravelingDenise Fitzerpage 24 UntitledMatthew A. Thomaspage 25 a story of rapeAnnie Whitepage 26 Teddy RhexisPaul Austerpage 30https://thekeep.eiu.edu/vehicle/1074/thumbnail.jp

Identifying risks for male street gang affiliation: a systematic review and narrative synthesis

Gang violence has increased in recent years. Individuals are becoming gang affiliated younger, and many have suffered historic maltreatment. Subsequent exposure to violence can result in profound consequences, including acute psychological harm. This review aims to identify predictive risk factors for male street gang affiliation. A systematic literature search was conducted utilising PsycINFO, PsycARTICLES, Medline, the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, the Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews and the Social Policy and Practice databases (from the databases’ inception to 03/04/15). From this search, n=244 peer-reviewed papers were included in an initial scoping review, and n=102 thereafter met criteria for a systematic review; a narrative synthesis follows. Gang members have typically faced numerous historic adversities across multiple domains; individual, family, peers, school and community. Cumulative factors generated an independent risk. The meta-narrative described an overarching failure to safeguard vulnerable individuals, with the motivation for gang affiliation hypothetically arising from an attempt to have their basic needs met. Clinical and research recommendations were made to inform early intervention policy and practice

Laminin and biomimetic extracellular elasticity enhance functional differentiation in mammary epithelia

In the mammary gland, epithelial cells are embedded in a ‘soft' environment and become functionally differentiated in culture when exposed to a laminin-rich extracellular matrix gel. Here, we define the processes by which mammary epithelial cells integrate biochemical and mechanical extracellular cues to maintain their differentiated phenotype. We used single cells cultured on top of gels in conditions permissive for β-casein expression using atomic force microscopy to measure the elasticity of the cells and their underlying substrata. We found that maintenance of β-casein expression required both laminin signalling and a ‘soft' extracellular matrix, as is the case in normal tissues in vivo, and biomimetic intracellular elasticity, as is the case in primary mammary epithelial organoids. Conversely, two hallmarks of breast cancer development, stiffening of the extracellular matrix and loss of laminin signalling, led to the loss of β-casein expression and non-biomimetic intracellular elasticity. Our data indicate that tissue-specific gene expression is controlled by both the tissues' unique biochemical milieu and mechanical properties, processes involved in maintenance of tissue integrity and protection against tumorigenesis

Twelve Years' Experience with Direct-to-Consumer Advertising of Prescription Drugs in Canada: A Cautionary Tale

Direct-to-consumer advertising (DTCA) of prescription drugs is illegal in Canada as a health protection measure, but is permitted in the United States. However, in 2000, Canadian policy was changed to allow 'reminder' advertising of prescription drugs. This is a form of advertising that states the brand name without health claims. 'Reminder' advertising is prohibited in the US for drugs that have 'black box' warnings of serious risks. This study examines spending on DTCA in Canada from 1995 to 2006, 12 years spanning this policy shift. We ask how annual per capita spending compares to that in the US, and whether drugs with Canadian or US regulatory safety warnings are advertised to the Canadian public in reminder advertising.Prescription drug advertising spending data were extracted from a data set on health sector spending in Canada obtained from a market research company, TNS Media Inc. Spending was adjusted for inflation and compared with US spending. Inflation-adjusted spending on branded DTCA in Canada grew from under CAD$2 million per year before 1999 to over$22 million in 2006. The major growth was in broadcast advertising, accounting for 83% of spending in 2006. US annual per capita spending was on average 24 times Canadian levels. Celebrex (celecoxib), which has a US black box and was subject to three safety advisories in Canada, was the most heavily advertised drug on Canadian television in 2005 and 2006. Of 8 brands with >$500,000 spending, which together accounted for 59% of branded DTCA in all media, 6 were subject to Canadian safety advisories, and 4 had US black box warnings.Branded 'reminder' advertising has grown rapidly in Canada since 2000, mainly due to a growth in television advertising. Although DTCA spending per capita is much lower in Canada than in the US, there is no evidence of safer content or product choice; many heavily-advertised drugs in Canada have been subject to safety advisories. For governments searching for compromise solutions to industry pressure for expanded advertising, Canada's experience stands as a stark warning

Imprinting of the Polycomb Group Gene MEDEA Serves as a Ploidy Sensor in Arabidopsis

Balanced maternal and paternal genome contributions are a requirement for successful seed development. Unbalanced contributions often cause seed abortion, a phenomenon that has been termed “triploid block.” Misregulation of imprinted regulatory genes has been proposed to be the underlying cause for abnormalities in growth and structure of the endosperm in seeds with deviating parental contributions. We identified a mutant forming unreduced pollen that enabled us to investigate direct effects of unbalanced parental genome contributions on seed development and to reveal the underlying molecular mechanism of dosage sensitivity. We provide evidence that parent-of-origin–specific expression of the Polycomb group (PcG) gene MEDEA is causally responsible for seed developmental aberrations in Arabidopsis seeds with increased paternal genome contributions. We propose that imprinted expression of PcG genes is an evolutionary conserved mechanism to balance parental genome contributions in embryo nourishing tissues