Spinal effects of bicuculline: modulation of an allodynia-like state by an A1-receptor agonist, morphine, and an NMDA-receptor antagonist

Single-unit recordings were made in the intact anesthetized rat of the responses of dorsal horn neurons to C-, Adelta-, and Abeta-fiber stimulation. The postdischarge and windup responses of the same cells along with responses to innocuous stimuli, prod and brush, also were measured. The effects of (-)-bicuculline-methobromide (0.5, 5, 50, and 250 microg) were observed on these neuronal responses. The C- and Adelta-fiber-evoked responses were facilitated significantly in a dose-dependent manner. The input was facilitated, but as the final overall response was not increased by the same factor, windup appeared to be reduced. However, postdischarge, resulting from the increase in the excitability produced by windup, tended to be facilitated. After doses of >/=5 microg bicuculline, stimulation at suprathreshold Abeta-fiber-evoked activity caused enhanced firing, mainly at later latencies corresponding to Adelta-fiber-evoked activity in normal animals. Few cells responded consistently to brush and so no significant change was observed. Responses evoked by innocuous pressure (prod) always were observed in cells that concurrently responded to electrical stimulation with a C-fiber response. This tactile response was facilitated significantly by bicuculline. The effects of N6-cyclopentyladenosine (N6-CPA), an adenosine A1-receptor agonist, was observed after pretreatment with 50 microg bicuculline, as were the effects of morphine and 7-chlorokynurenate (7-CK). N6-CPA inhibited prod, C- and Adelta-fiber-evoked responses as well as the initial and overall final response to the train of C-fiber strength stimuli. Inhibitions were reversed with 8(p-sulphophenyl) theophylline. Morphine, the mu-receptor agonist, also inhibited the postbicuculline responses to prod, C-, and Adelta-fiber responses and initial and final responses to a train of stimuli. Inhibitory effects of morphine were reversed partly by naloxone. 7-CK, an antagonist at the glycine site on the N-methyl-D-aspartate-receptor complex, inhibited the responses to C- and Adelta-fiber-evoked activity as well as prod. The postdischarges were inhibited by this drug. Again both the initial and overall responses of the cell were inhibited. To conclude, bicuculline caused an increase in the responses of deep dorsal horn cells to prod, Adelta-fiber-evoked activity, increased C-fiber input onto these cells along with the appearance of responses at latencies normally associated with Adelta fibers, but evoked by suprathreshold Abeta-fiber stimulation. These alterations may be responsible for some aspects of the clinical phenomenon of allodynia and hyperalgesia. These altered and enhanced responses were modulated by the three separate classes of drugs, the order of effectiveness being 7-CK, N6-CPA, and then morphine.     

Evaluation of wear of turning carbide inserts using neural networks

Recent trends, being towards mostly unmanned automated machining systems and consistent system operations, need reliable on-line monitoring processes. A proper on-line cutting tool condition monitoring system is essential for deciding when to change the tool. Many methods have been attempted in this connection.Recently, artificial neural networks have been tried for this purpose because of its inherent simplicity and reasonably quick data-processing capability. The present work uses the back propagation algorithm for training the neural network of 5-3-1 structure. The technique shows close matching of estimation of average flank wear and directly measured wear value. Thus the system developed demonstrates the possibility of successful tool wear monitoring on-line.     

The differential effect of polymyxin B1 on guinea pig lung mitochondrial and microsomal glycerophosphate acyltransferase

The activities of guinea pig lung mitochondrial and microsomal glycerophosphate acyltransferase differed in sensitivity to polymyxin B₁. At an antibiotic concentration of 1 mg/ml, the mitochondrial enzyme activity was stimulated twofold, but the microsomal enzyme activity was completely inhibited. Furthermore, the mitochondrial enzyme activity was stimulated by polymyxin B₁ without the addition of exogenous acyl-CoA. Additional experiments ruled out the possibility of polymyxin B₁ acting as a substrate for the mitochondrial acyltransferase. These results suggest either that the polymyxin B₁ sensitivity of mitochondrial and microsomal glycerophosphate acyltransferase is different or that their accessibility to substrates is different because the two isoenzymes are located differently in the different phospholipid microenvironment of the membranes.     

Ion-solvent interaction from viscosity and apparent molar volume of bromates,iodates and sulphates of potassium and sodium in dioxane-water mixtures at different temperatures

The viscosity and apparent molar volume of solutions of KBrO₃, NaBrO₃ KIO₃, NaIO₃, K₂SO₄ and Na₂SO₄ in dioxane (mass fraction: 10, 20 and 30%)-water mixtures at 30, 35, 40 and 45°C have been measured. The ions appear to interact appreciably and the ion-solvent interaction is of the order BrO^?₃ > IO^?₃ > SO^2?₄ and K⁺ > Na⁺.     

Critical Density for Coverage and Connectivity in Three-Dimensional Wireless Sensor Networks Using Continuum Percolation

Although most of the studies on coverage and connectivity in wireless sensor networks (WSNs) considered two-dimensional (2D) settings, such networks can in reality be accurately modeled in a three-dimensional (3D) space. The concepts of continuum percolation theory best fit the problem of connectivity in WSNs to find out whether the network provides long-distance multihop communication. In this paper, we focus on percolation in coverage and connectivity in 3D WSNs. We say that the network exhibits a coverage percolation (respectively, connectivity percolation) when a giant covered region (respectively, giant connected component) almost surely spans the entire network for the first time. Because of the dependency between coverage and connectivity, the problem is not only a continuum percolation problem but also an integrated continuum percolation problem. Thus, we propose an integrated-concentric-sphere model to address coverage and connectivity in 3D WSNs in an integrated way. First, we compute the critical density lambda_C ^con above which coverage percolation in 3D WSNs will almost surely occur. Second, we compute the critical density lambda_c ^con above which connectivity percolation in 3D WSNs will almost surely occur. Third, we compute the critical density lambda_c ^cov-con above which both coverage and connectivity percolation in 3D WSNs will almost surely occur. For each of these three problems, we also compute their corresponding critical network degree. Our results can be helpful in the design of energy-efficient topology control protocols for 3D WSNs in terms of coverage and connectivity.     

An electromyographic investigation of asymmetric lifting and moving of a load: III. Models for determining muscle activity based on anthropometric characteristics

Regression models for six muscles, the left and right iliocostalis, the left and right erector spinae, and the left and right external oblique, were developed for asymmetry and height effects for floor and knuckle lifts. The models were based on participant anthropometric and other measures. Stepwise regression was performed for developing the prediction models. The models developed were discrete in terms of specific height and asymmetry. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

Challenges in Liquid‐Phase Exfoliation,Processing, and Assembly of Pristine Graphene

Recent developments in the exfoliation, dispersion, and processing of pristine graphene (i.e., non‐oxidized graphene) are described. General metrics are outlined that can be used to assess the quality and processability of various “graphene” products, as well as metrics that determine the potential for industrial scale‐up. The pristine graphene production process is categorized from a chemical engineering point of view with three key steps: i) pretreatment, ii) exfoliation, and iii) separation. How pristine graphene colloidal stability is distinct from the exfoliation step and is dependent upon graphene interactions with solvents and dispersants are extensively reviewed. Finally, the challenges and opportunities of using pristine graphene as nanofillers in polymer composites, as well as as building blocks for macrostructure assemblies are summarized in the context of large‐scale production.     

A synopsis on node compromise detection in wireless sensor networks using sequential analysis (Invited Review Article)

By exploiting the unattended nature of the wireless sensor networks, an attacker can physically capture and compromise sensor nodes and then launch a variety of attacks. He can additionally create many replicas of a few compromised nodes and spread these replicas over the network, thus launching further attacks with their help. In order to minimize the damage incurred by compromised and replicated nodes, it is very important to detect such malicious nodes as quickly as possible. In this review article, we synthesize our previous works on node compromise detection in sensor networks while providing the extended analysis in terms of performance comparison to the related work. More specifically, we use the methodology of the sequential analysis to detect static and mobile compromised nodes, as well as mobile replicated nodes in sensor networks. With the help of analytical and simulation results, we also demonstrate that our schemes provide robust and efficient node compromise detection capability.     

Some spectral response characteristics of ZnTe thin films

Zinc telluride thin films have been grown at room temperature and higher temperature substrates by thermal evaporation technique in a vacuum of 10^-6 torr. A main peak in the photocurrent is observed at 781 nm (1.58 eV) with two lower amplitude peaks on the lower wavelength side and one on higher wavelength side. The evaluated thermal activation energy is found to correspond well with the main spectral peak. From these studies it can be inferred that temperatures up to 453 K is still in the extrinsic conductivity region of the studied ZnTe thin films. The paper was presented at the 6th Asian Thermophysical Properties Conference (6th ATPC), held at Gauhati University, during 8–11 October 2001.     

Information-intensive wireless sensor networks: potential and challenges

Conventional wireless sensor networks rely mostly on simple scalar data (such as temperature or humidity) and specialize in single-purpose applications. Taking a fundamental departure, in this article we motivate information-rich wireless video sensor networks that emulate the compound eyes found in certain arthropods. Although constrained by scarce resources, sensor nodes can only serve extremely low-resolution video streams; the availability of vast amount of such streams due to deployment redundance can suffice for the need of information hungry applications. Unfortunately, the unique characteristics of wireless video sensor networks will introduce novel uncertainty-driven challenges in the information-intensive and yet resource-constrained environment. Correspondingly, we describe key research problems in the areas of networking, security, sensor design, and video-data analysis