Kinetics of deposition of oriented superdisks.

We use numerical Monte Carlo simulation to study the kinetics of the deposition of oriented superdisks, bounded by the Lame curves of the form |x|(2p)+|y|(2p)=1 on a regular planar substrate. Recently, it was shown that the maximum packing density as well as jamming density ρ(J) exhibit a discontinuous derivative at p=0.5 when the shape changes from convex to concave form.

Risk architecture of schizophrenia: the role of epigenetics.

Purpose Of Review: To systematize existing data and review new findings on the cause of schizophrenia and outline an improved mixed model of schizophrenia risk.

Recent Findings: Multiple and variable genetic and environmental factors interact to influence the risk of schizophrenia. Both rare variants with large effect and common variants with small effect contribute to genetic risk of schizophrenia, with no indication for differential impact on its clinical features.

Temperament and character modify risk of drug addiction and influence choice of drugs.

Background: Drug addiction and alcoholism involve a complex etiopathogenesis with a variable degree of risk contributions from the host (person), environment, and addictive substances. In this work, temperament and character features of individuals addicted to opiates or alcohol are compared with normal controls to study personality factors in the overall risk for drug addiction.

Methods: The study was done in a permissive environment, with easy access to alcohol and heroin, which facilitated analyses of personality factors in drug choice.

Legalization, decriminalization & medicinal use of cannabis: a scientific and public health perspective.

Empirical and clinical studies clearly demonstrate significant adverse effects of cannabis smoking on physical and mental health as well as its interference with social and occupational functioning. These negative data far outweigh a few documented benefits for a limited set of medical indications, for which safe and effective alternative treatments are readily available. If there is any medical role for cannabinoid drugs, it lies with chemically defined compounds, not with unprocessed cannabis plant.

Simulation study of anisotropic random sequential adsorption of extended objects on a triangular lattice.

The properties of the anisotropic random sequential adsorption (RSA) of objects of various shapes on a two-dimensional triangular lattice are studied numerically by means of Monte Carlo simulations. The depositing objects are formed by self-avoiding lattice steps, whereby the first step determines the orientation of the object. Anisotropy is introduced by positing unequal probabilities for orientation of depositing objects along different directions of the lattice.

Exogenous Bcl-xL fusion protein spares neurons after spinal cord injury.

Spinal cord injury (SCI) induces neuronal death, including apoptosis, which is completed within 24 hr at and around the impact site. We identified early proapoptotic transcriptional changes, including upregulation of proapoptotic Bax and downregulation of antiapoptotic Bcl-xL, Bcl-2, and Bcl-w, using Affymetrix DNA microarrays. Because Bcl-xL is the most robustly expressed antiapoptotic Bcl-2 molecule in adult central nervous system, we decided to characterize better the effect of SCI on Bcl-xL expression.

Statistical approach to DNA chip analysis.

Statistical methods for analyzing data from DNA microarray experiments are reviewed. Specifically, we discuss common experimental setups, methods for data reduction and clustering, and analysis of time-course experiments. While early microarray studies focused mainly on the basic methodological and technical aspects of DNA arrays, emphasis has shifted to biological, medical, and clinical applications.

DNA microarray analysis of the contused spinal cord: effect of NMDA receptor inhibition.

Spinal cord injury (SCI)-induced neurodegeneration leads to irreversible and devastating motor and sensory dysfunction. Post-traumatic outcomes are determined by events occurring during the first 24 hours after SCI. An increase in extracellular glutamate concentration to neurotoxic levels is one of the earliest events after SCI.

Role of personality self-organization in development of mental order and disorder.

Normal and abnormal personality development can be quantified in terms of 15 specific steps in the self-organization of character as a complex adaptive system. Character is measured as three dimensions of Self-directedness, Cooperativeness, and Self-transcendence, each with five components corresponding to steps in personality development. Each of these steps is differentially influenced by heritable temperament dimensions, antecedent steps in character development, and life experiences.