Algorithms for testing that sets of DNA words concatenate without secondary structure

We present an efficient algorithm for determining whether all moleculesin a combinatorial set of DNA or RNA strandsare structure free, and thus availablefor bonding to their Watson-Crick complements.This work is motivated by the goalof testing whether strands used in DNAcomputations or as molecular bar-codesare structure free, where the strands areconcatenations of short words. We alsopresent an algorithm for determining whetherall words in S*, for some finite setS of equi-length words, are structure free. This revised version was published online in June 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Statistical Properties of Transition Amplitudes in Generic Systems

I review some recent results on the statistical properties of matrix elements of typical observables (transition amplitudes) in an eigenbasis of generic quantum Hamiltonian systems. The classical limit of an underlying system can be either integrable, or fully chaotic, or mixed with regular and irregular regions coexisting in phase space. In any case, the variance of transition amplitudes (the local average transition probability) as a function of energy and transition frequency can be calculated in terms of classical power spectra. The probability distribution of transition amplitudes in high energy (semiclassical) regime is derived by means of random matrix theory, whereas in low and intermediate energy (nonsemiclassical) regime the probability distribution of transition amplitudes exhibits universal exponential tails which still call for theoretical explanation.     

Retailers' tagging practices: a potential liability?

This study investigates the coverage of federally mandated information on over‐the‐counter (OTC) drug labels by electronic article surveillance (EAS) tags applied to the exterior of cartons. Using adult‐strength analgesics containing acetaminophen as a case study, researchers investigated the issue in Houston, Texas (24 stores) and Lansing, Michigan (33 stores). The information obscured by EAS tags was identified and classified for a total of 849 packages using a standardized data collection instrument. The results indicated that 293 packages examined, or 34.5%, had information mandated by the US Food and Drug Administration (US FDA) fully or partially obscured by the EAS tags. Retailers and manufacturers should be aware of such practices to reduce potential liability. Recommendations for improving EAS tag usage on OTC products are presented. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Psychological Response to Test Results in an Ovarian Cancer Screening Program: A Prospective, Longitudinal Study.

To identify the psychological impact of receipt of an abnormal yet benign screening test result, the authors examined the response to a transvaginal ultrasound screening (TVS) test for ovarian cancer (OC) in asymptomatic women (N=540) undergoing an initial TVS screening test. Interviews were conducted prior to undergoing TVS screening and at 2 weeks and 4 months following this baseline. Women receiving an abnormal yet benign TVS test result (n=33) reported elevated OC-specific, but not general, distress at 2-week follow-up. Distress returned to baseline levels at 4-month follow-up. Consistent with the monitoring process and cognitive-social health information processing models, response to an abnormal TVS result was moderated by a monitoring coping style, low optimism, and a family history of OC. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Change Agent Competencies for Information Technology Project Managers.

In the past few years, the project management (PM) profession has grown exponentially. Yet recent studies in the information technology (IT) sector have found that the use of PM methodologies alone does not guarantee project success. In fact, IT project success is seen to rely on the ability of project managers to be agents of change (i.e., individuals who lead organizational change efforts), a traditional role of practitioners of organization development and change. This article identifies the knowledge, skills, and competencies that are common to organization development (OD) practitioners and project managers, as represented by 6 principles or competencies that OD and PM change methods snare: communication, teamwork, process management, leadership, training, and continuous learning. The importance of these 6 principles in developing professional project managers as effective agents of change is explored with the intent of finding means to improve upon current IT project success rates. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Assessing Interactive Causal Influence.

The discovery of conjunctive causes--factors that act in concert to produce or prevent an effect--has been explained by purely covariational theories. Such theories assume that concomitant variations in observable events directly license causal inferences, without postulating the existence of unobservable causal relations. This article discusses problems with these theories, proposes a causal-power theory that overcomes the problems, and reports empirical evidence favoring the new theory. Unlike earlier models, the new theory derives (a) the conditions under which covariation implies conjunctive causation and (b) functions relating observable events to unobservable conjunctive causal strength. This psychological theory, which concerns simple cases involving 2 binary candidate causes and a binary effect, raises questions about normative statistics for testing causal hypotheses regarding categorical data resulting from discrete variables. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2011 APA, all rights reserved)     

The effects of paints and moisture content on the indoor air emissions from pinewood (Pinus sylvestris) boards

The emissions of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from building materials may significantly contribute to indoor air pollution, and VOCs have been associated with odor annoyance and adverse health effects. Wood materials together with coatings are commonly used indoors for furniture and large surfaces such as walls, floors, and ceilings. This leads to high surface-to-volume ratios, and therefore, these materials may participate remarkably to the VOC levels of indoor environment. We studied emissions of VOCs and carbonyl compounds from pinewood (Pinus sylvestris) boards of 10% and 16% moisture contents (MC) with three paints using small-scale test chambers (27 L). The emissions from uncoated pinewood and paints (on a glass substrate) were tested as references. The 28-day experiment showed that the VOC emissions from uncoated pinewood were lower from sample with 16% MC. Painted pinewood samples showed lower emissions compared to paints on glass substrate. Additionally, paints on 16% MC pinewood exhibited lower emissions than on drier 10% MC wood. The emissions from painted pinewood samples were dominated by paint-based compounds, but the share of wood-based compounds increased over time. However, we noticed differences between the paints, and wood-based emissions were clearly higher with the most permeable paint.     

Formation of oxidising species and their role in the viscosity loss of cereal beta-glucan extracts

The aim of this study was to determine the role of the formation of radicals and hydrogen peroxide in the viscosity loss of beta-glucan extracts from oat and barley. Radicals derived from endogenous H₂O₂ were formed spontaneously in all extracts. The decomposition of H₂O₂ by catalase had little or no effect on the viscosity, and the radical formation detected and measured by electron spin resonance (ESR) spectroscopy did not predict the shelf life of crude beta-glucan extracts. The addition of FeSO₄ accelerated the radical formation and viscosity loss, revealing the sensitivity of the extract viscosity towards catalysts for oxidation. Using 50% cadoxen in the extracts slowed down the viscosity loss in all extracts but still led to a 10–70% decrease of the initial viscosities during 4 weeks of storage. The results suggest that the viscosity loss may be a result from multiple mechanisms including chemical reactions during storage as well as aggregation and conformational changes.     

Stereometric analysis of nanostructured boehmite coatings synthesized by aluminum nitride powder hydrolysis

We studied the morphological properties of precipitated, nanostructured, boehmite coatings on a polished alumina surface by exploiting the aluminum nitride (AlN) powder hydrolysis at elevated temperatures. The hydrolysis tests of the 3 wt% AlN powder suspensions in the temperature range 50–90 °C were performed in order to estimate the time needed for the synthesis of the coatings. They consisted of interlocked boehmite lamellas, positioned perpendicularly to the ceramic surface, and they exhibited a strong temperature-dependent size and surface density. The aim of this research was a quantitative assessment of the as-formed boehmite coatings. Based on electron microscopy micrographs, a stereometric analysis of the as-prepared coatings was performed in order to estimate the relevant geometric parameters of the lamellas. In spite of the temperature-dependent lamellas’ size and surface density, the specific volume of the coatings was similar for all the synthesis temperatures.     

Clotrimazole-loaded Eudragit® RS100 nanocapsules: Preparation,characterization and in vitro evaluation of antifungal activity against Candida species

Clotrimazole is a common choice for the treatment of vulvovaginal infections, but its low solubility and some side effects pose a challenge to its application. This work evaluated the feasibility to formulate clotrimazole-loaded cationic nanocapsules using Eudragit® RS100 and medium chain triglycerides as polymer and oily core, respectively, by the method of interfacial deposition of a preformed polymer. The physicochemical characteristics of nanocapsule formulations were evaluated at 0 day and 60 days after preparation. Particle size, zeta potential, polydispersity index, pH and drug content were stable during this period. In addition, nanocapsules were able to protect clotrimazole from photodegradation under UV radiation. By the dialysis bag diffusion technique, the nanosized formulations showed prolonged release of clotrimazole by anomalous transport and first order kinetics. A microbiological study was carried out by the microdilution method and showed that nanocapsules (mean size: 144 nm; zeta potential: + 12 mV) maintained the antifungal activity of clotrimazole against Candida albicans and Candida glabrata strains susceptible and resistant to fluconazole.