Matched absorbing medium techniques for full-wave tlm simulation of microwave and millimeter-wave components

This paper investigates the absorbing layer techniques for three-dimensional transmission-line matrix (3d-tlm) simulations. Applications are the full-wave analysis of structures such as microwave and millimeter-wave circuits open to free space. Two approaches are presented, namely the matched layer (ml) and the perfectly matched layer (pml) technique which is used for general cases. For the ml technique, which is efficient for matching guides operating in a quasi-TEM condition, a comparison of the different tlm condensed node is carried out. Concerning the more general case of the pml technique, the theoretical development of a new general three-dimensional (3d) tlm condensed cell is presented. Results pertaining to the characterization of planar circuits are compared with other solutions or measurements. It is found that a proposed unified approach, which includes the tlm simulation for matched layer media, yields very good performance in terms of the absorbing boundary condition (abc).     

Can bipolar disorder-specific neuropsychological impairments in children be identified?

This study examined neuropsychological deficits among children with bipolar disorder while attending to its comorbidity with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Seventy-three unmedicated children (ages 6-17 years) with Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (4th ed.; American Psychiatric Association, 1994) bipolar disorder plus ADHD (BPD + ADHD) were compared with 102 unmedicated children with ADHD without bipolar disorder, and 120 children without bipolar disorder or ADHD. Ninety-four percent of participants were Caucasian, 58% were male, and 42% were female. On average participants were of middle to upper socioeconomic status. Participants were assessed with a comprehensive neuropsychological battery and measures of academic achievement, school failure, and special education placement. Participants with BPD + ADHD and with ADHD were impaired in interference control, verbal learning, and arithmetic achievement and had higher rates of special school services. Across all of the measures of neuropsychological functioning, the only difference observed between youths with BPD + ADHD and youths with ADHD was that youths with BPD + ADHD performed more poorly on one measure of processing speed. Thus, comorbidity with ADHD may account for many of the neuropsychological deficits observed in children with bipolar disorder. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Drimane Derivatives as the First Examples of Covalent BH3 Mimetics that Target MCL-1

Drimane sesquiterpenoid dialdehydes are natural compounds with antiproliferative properties. Nevertheless, their mode of action has not yet been discovered. Herein, we demonstrate that various drimanes are potent inhibitors of MCL-1 and BCL-xL, two proteins of the BCL-2 family that are overexpressed in various cancers, including lymphoid malignancies. Subtle changes in their structure significantly modified their activity on the target proteins. The two most active compounds are MCL-1 selective and bind in the BH3 binding groove of the protein. Complementary studies by NMR spectroscopy and mass spectrometry analyses, but also synthesis, showed that they covalently inhibit MCL-1 though the formation of a pyrrole adduct. In addition, cytotoxic assays revealed that these two compounds show a cytotoxic selectivity for BL2, a MCL-1/BCL-xL-dependent cell line and induce apoptosis.     

Effect of processing treatments on the characteristics of juices and still ciders from Ontario‐grown apples

Recent interest in the commercial production of cider in Ontario, Canada revealed a lack of information on cider prepared from apples grown in North America. A study was conducted using locally grown culinary and dessert varieties of apples, since there is a lack of true cider varieties grown in Ontario. Four processing methods (treatments) were evaluated with respect to their effect on juice and cider characteristics; the chemical and microbiological characteristics of the juices and still ciders are reported. Sulphite addition to the juice at the time of juice extraction had no effect on the characteristics evaluated. Storage of fruits at 13 °C until they showed signs of shrivelling or senescence decreased juice yield and affected titratable acidity and pH levels of juices and ciders. Freezing fresh apples and thawing prior to processing produced juices that did not undergo keeving and had higher mould and yeast populations; methanol was present in juices and ciders from thawed apples. The significant effects of storage and freezing on apple juice characteristics should be taken into account when considering a delay in the processing of apples for cider production. © 2003 Society of Chemical Industry