Intravitreal tolerance of a new perfluorocarbon vitreous replacement, Multifluor APF-144

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the intravitreal tolerance of a new perfluorocarbon vitreous replacement, Multifluor APF-144 (perfluorotetramethylcyclohexane). DESIGN: Ten New Zealand albino rabbits (one eye from each) underwent vitrectomy. The vitreous was replaced in five eyes with Multifluor APF-144 and in five eyes with saline (control group). OUTCOME MEASURES: Appearance on indirect ophthalmoscopy, electroretinography recordings before and 2, 4 and 8 weeks after vitrectomy, findings on electron and light microscopy at 8 weeks. RESULTS: Endophthalmitis did not develop in any of the eyes. There was no significant change in electroretinography values for the experimental eyes after vitrectomy. No evidence of retinal toxicity was found on light or electron microscopic examination. CONCLUSIONS: Multifluor APF-144 shows promise as a short-term postoperative retinal tamponading agent.     

A three-dimensional non-epitaxial atomistic growth model for thin-film deposition: effect of surface mobility

The effect of the atomic mobility on a film surface has been studied by using a three-dimensional atomistic thin-film deposition model which simulates three-dimensional thin-film images, surface profiles and cross-sectional area pictures. In addition, quantitative results of surface RMS roughness, average film thickness, atomic coordination number and its distribution, and solid fraction of the deposited thin films, were obtained from the simulations. When the film surface mobility increased from 0.3 to 3.0, RMS roughness decreased from 6.5 to 1.1, solid fraction increased from 0.27 to 0.56 and average film thickness decreased from 40 to 28, due to the reduction of the voids within the film. The full-width half magnitude of the atomic coordination distribution became narrower indicating the increased degree of crystallization. With increase in surface mobility crossing the boundary to 1.5, the film evolved from a porous or loose columnar structure with voids, to a densely packed fibrous grain structure which can be categorized by the zone structure models.     

A behavioral analysis of effective teaching.

Characterizes classroom instruction (CRI) from a behavior analytic perspective. It is argued that effective teaching strategies also serve managerial functions through the development of stimulus control and the management of behavioral choice. The stimulus control properties of CRI are discussed, and research concerning the effects of antecedent events on children's academic performance is reviewed. A theory for predicting choices in behavior, known as matching theory, is presented that evolved out of experimental operant research. The characteristics of CRI that make it particularly suited to matching theory analysis are identified, and research applying matching theory to children's classroom behavior is reviewed. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Beam test of the CsI(Tl) calorimeter for the BELLE detector at the KEK-B factory

We studied the performance of a prototype electromagnetic calorimeter for the BELLE detector at the KEK proton synchrotron for an energy range of 0.25–3.5 GeV. The prototype consisted of an array of 6 × 5 CsI(Tl) crystals with 30 cm length (16.2 radiation lengths) and about 6 cm × 6 cm cross section. The scintillation light of each CsI(Tl) crystal was read out by two large-area PIN photodiodes and charge-sensitive preamplifiers attached at the rear face of the crystal. We measured the energy and position resolution for electrons and the e/π separation for two sets of matrix configurations: one corresponded to the center and the other to the edge of the barrel calorimeter. The overall performance measured by the test proves that the prototype calorimeter is satisfactory for the use in the BELLE detector.     

Polyamine analogue regulation of NMDA MK-801 binding: a structure-activity study

A series of analogues and homologues of spermine were synthesized, and their impact on MK-801 binding to the N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor was evaluated. These tetraamines encompass both linear and cyclic compounds. The linear molecules include norspermine, N1, N11-diethylnorspermine, N1,N12-bis(2,2,2-trifluoroethyl)spermine, homospermine, and N1,N14-diethylhomospermine. The cyclic tetraamines consist of the piperidine analogues N1,N3-bis(4-piperidinyl)-1,3-diaminopropane, N1,N4-bis(4-piperidinyl)-1,4-diaminobutane, N1,N4-bis(4-piperidinylmethyl)-1,4-diaminobutane, and N1,N4-bis[2-(4-piperidinyl)ethyl]-1,4-diaminobutane and the pyridine analogues N1,N3-bis(4-pyridyl)-1,3-diaminopropane, N1,N4-bis(4-pyridyl)-1,4-diaminobutane, N1,N4-bis(4-pyridylmethyl)-1,4-diaminobutane, and N1,N4-bis[2-(4-pyridyl)-ethyl]-1,4-diaminobutane. This structure-activity set makes it possible to establish the importance of charge, intercharge distance, and terminal nitrogen substitution on polyamine-regulated MK-801 binding in the NMDA channel. Four families of tetraamines are included in this set: norspermines, spermines, homospermines, and tetraazaoctadecanes. Calculations employing a SYBYL modeling program revealed that the distance between terminal nitrogens ranges between 12.62 and 19.61 A. The tetraamines are constructed such that within families cyclics and acyclics have similar lengths but different nitrogen pKa's and thus different protonation, or charge, states at physiological pH. The pKa values for all nitrogens of each molecule and its protonation state at physiological pH are described. The modifications at the terminal nitrogens include introduction of ethyl and beta,beta,beta-trifluoroethyl groups and incorporation into piperidinyl or pyridyl systems. The studies clearly indicate that polyamine length, charge, and terminal nitrogen substitution have a significant effect on how the tetraamine regulates MK-801 binding to the NMDA receptor. Thus a structure-activity basis set on which future design of MK-801 agonists and antagonists can be based is now available.     

Thermal Characterization of 1.3 μm InAsP/InGaAsP Ridge Waveguide MQW Lasers Based on Spectroscopy Method

An experimental way to analyze the thermal characterization of semiconductor lasers based on spectroscopy method under pulse driving conditions has been developed. By using this way the thermal characteristics of strain compensated 1.3 μm InAsP/InGaAsP ridge waveguide MQW laser diodes have been investigated. Results show that by measuring and analyzing the lasing spectra under appropriate driving parameters and temperature ranges, the thermal resistance of the laser diodes could be deduced easily. A higher thermal resistance of 640 K/W has been measured on a narrow ridge laser chip without soldering. Other thermal and spectral properties of the lasers have also been measured and discussed.     

Characterization of dibromopolychlorodibenzo-p-dioxins and dibromopolychlorodibenzofurans in municipal waste incinerator fly ash using gas chromatography/mass spectrometry.

Several fly ash samples from different countries were analyzed for dibromopolychlorodibenzo-p-dioxins and -dibenzofurans (DBPCDD/Fs) using capillary column gas chromatography/high-resolution mass spectrometry. Concentrations of these compounds ranged from low to high parts-per-trillion (pptr) depending on the location where the samples were collected. The mass spectrometer, operated at greater than 10,000 mass resolution in combination with the high resolving power of capillary column GC, permitted characterization of DBPCDD/Fs in municipal waste incinerator fly ash for the first time. The isomer patterns of tetra- through octa-congener groups of DBPCDD/Fs are remarkably similar regardless of where the fly ash originated, indicating common mechanisms of formation of these compounds in the incinerators.