Biphasic effects of intraaccumbens mu-opioid peptide agonist DAMGO on locomotor activities

The effects of bilateral microinjections of mu-opioid receptor agonist DAMGO (0.00, 0.01, 0.1, or 1.0 microgram/side) were tested in rats for 120 min in activity monitors. The horizontal movement, rearing, and stereotypy times in seconds were measured during 12 consecutive 10-min time blocks. DAMGO (0.01, 0.1, and 1.0 microgram) resulted in biphasic effects, inhibition followed by activation for each of the three measures. These data replicate the behavioral effects of ICV DAMGO except that the duration of the behavioral effects were longer with Acb injections.     

Analysis and simulation of substrate coupling in integrated circuits

A technique is presented which allows efficient calculation of substrate-coupling macromodels in integrated circuits. the technique can be used to calculate node-to-node resistances or impedances in substrate models. Examples of the technique applied to several test structures are presented.     

Diagnostic and prognostic relevance of malignancy-associated changes in cervical smears

OBJECTIVE: For approximately 15 years, malignancy-associated changes (MACs) have been consistently found by means of high-resolution cytometry in different tissues, especially in visually normal appearing cervical cells. Their biologic nature is not yet fully understood. The aim of this investigation was to assess the expression of MACs in cervical smears and to evaluate their prognostic relevance. STUDY DESIGN: This study was performed on normal intermediate cells obtained from 53 cytologically positive and 78 cytologically negative cervical smears. From a second sample, 31 cases showing negative cytology were selected for a prospective longitudinal study. Densitometric and texture features were generated, and MACs were described on the basis of multivariate discriminant analysis. RESULTS: Discrimination between positive and negative cases was possible, with a correct classification rate of approximately 80%. After a mean period of 29.5 months, we noted no statistically significant increase in the incidence of cervical intraepithelial neoplasia in the group of healthy but MAC-positive women as compared to those who were MAC negative. CONCLUSION: MACs were constantly expressed in the epithelium of the cervix. Although their prognostic relevance remains unclear, MACs play an important role in the effort to automate cervical cytology.     

Adverse environmental conditions in the respiratory and medical ICU settings

Sleep deprivation and fragmentation occurring in the hospital setting may have a negative impact on the respiratory system by decreasing respiratory muscle function and ventilatory response to CO2. Sleep deprivation in a patient with respiratory failure may, therefore, impair recovery and weaning from mechanical ventilation. We postulate that light, sound, and interruption levels in a weaning unit are major factors resulting in sleep disorders and possibly circadian rhythm disruption. As an initial test of this hypothesis, we sampled interruption levels and continuously monitored light and sound levels for a minimum of seven consecutive days in a medical ICU, a multiple bed respiratory care unit (RCU) room, a single-bed RCU room, and a private room. Light levels in all areas maintained a day-night rhythm, with peak levels dependent on window orientation and shading. Peak sound levels were extremely high in all areas representing values significantly higher than those recommended by the Environmental Protection Agency as acceptable for a hospital environment. The number of sound peaks greater than 80 decibels, which may result in sleep arousals, was especially high in the intensive and respiratory care areas, but did show a day-night rhythm in all settings. Patient interruptions tended to be erratic, leaving little time for condensed sleep. We conclude that the potential for environmentally induced sleep disruption is high in all areas, but especially high in the intensive and respiratory care areas where the negative consequences may be the most severe.     

What do we know about innovation in nanotechnology? Some propositions about an emerging field between hype and path-dependency

This contribution formulates a number of propositions about the emergence of novel nanoscience and nanotechnology (N&N). Seeking to complement recent work that aims to define a research agenda and draws on general insights from the innovation literature, this paper aims to synthesize knowledge from innovation-related studies of the N&N field. More specifically, it is suggested that N&N is often misconstrued as either a field of technology or an area of (broadly) converging technologies while evidence to date suggests rather that N&N be considered a set of inter-related and overlapping about not necessarily merging technologies. The role of instrumentation in connecting the various N&N fields is underlined. Finally, the question is raised whether change in N&N tends to be incremental rather than discontinuous, being the result of technological path-dependencies and lock-ins in industry-typical search regimes that are only slowly giving way to more boundary-crossing activities.     

Optical and structural properties of MOVPE grown GaxIn1−xAs/InP strained multiple quantum well atructures

This paper presents a study of the structural and optical properties of strained GaInAs/ InP multiple quantum well (MQW) structures fabricated by LP-MOVPE. The composition of the Ga _x In_1−x As films ranged fromx = 0.17 tox = 1.0 and was determined by sputtered neutral mass spectrometry (SNMS) on thick layers. The structures of the MQW samples with well widths from 1.5 to 5 nm were investigated by high resolution x-ray diffraction (HR-XRD). Simulations of the diffraction patterns showed that transition layers of approximately 2 monolayer (ML) thickness with high lattice mismatch exist at the interfaces. Photoluminescence (PL) measurements indicate well widths of a multiple of a monolayer with local variations of one monolayer. The PL peak energies vary smoothly with the Ga concentration. These results were confirmed by optical absorption measurements.     

Alcohol in Munich secondary school students--a study for dissemination of experiences, knowledge, attitude and behavior

The Munich Community Health Service (Medical School-Service Department) conducted an alcohol prevention project in ten public secondary schools. The 423 pupils (11-17 years of age) filled in a questionnaire on alcohol and discussed it afterwards under the guidance of a school physician and a teacher using guideline information. The results of the survey are presented in this paper. Additionally, suggestions for transferring the results to conceptualize and carry out preventive measures are made. The results indicate that the first experience with alcohol occurred early in life. One-fifth of the sample had already tried alcohol at the age of six. Immediate effects of alcohol (e.g. state of drunkenness) were experienced by 35.7 percent of the sample group. Kiosks, shops, and beverage stores were named most frequently as sources for alcohol. The sources of social support varied with respect to sex and age. With increasing age of the children, parents were contacted less frequently whereas the role of peers increased. The present results supply possible paths of action for the development of successful prevention strategies, e.g. by pointing out the early age of onset as well as specific sources of alcohol acquisition.     

Symptom prevalence and worry about high voltage transmission lines

Few studies have documented public perceptions of environmental health risks from exposure to overhead transmission lines. In particular, little information has been provided on the impact of worry on symptom prevalence in residents living adjacent to high voltage transmission lines. The current study assessed symptom prevalence and worry in 152 Orange County female residents living either adjacent to overhead transmission lines or one block away. Forty-five percent of the respondents were either very worried or somewhat worried about the transmission lines and 55% were slightly worried or not worried at all. Results indicated that for those who did not live on the easement level of worry did not affect the prevalence of health problems. For those who lived on the easement, the most worried respondents were more likely to report health problems. Disclosure of health problems may depend more on individuals' level of worry about rather than proximity to overhead transmission lines. Possible limitations of this study include personality variables such as hypochondriasis which were not assessed, recall bias, and social desirability. The homogeneity of subjects may also limit the generalizability of findings.