alpha-Adrenoceptor and opioid receptor modulation of clonidine-induced antinociception

1. The antinociceptive action of clonidine (Clon) and the interactions with alpha 1, alpha 2 adrenoceptor and opioid receptor antagonists was evaluated in mice by use of chemical algesiometric test (acetic acid writhing test). 2. Clon produced a dose-dependent antinociceptive action and the ED50 for intracerebroventricular (i.c.v.) was lower than for intraperitoneal (i.p.) administration (1 ng kg-1 vs 300 ng kg-1). The parallelism of the dose-response curves indicates activation of a common receptor subtype. 3. Systemic administration of prazosin and terazosin displayed antinociceptive activity. Pretreatment with prazosin produced a dual action: i.c.v. Clon effect did not change, and i.p. Clon effect was enhanced. Yohimbine i.c.v. or i.p. did not induce antinonciception, but antagonized Clon-induced activity. These results suggest that alpha 1- and alpha 2-adrenoceptors, either located at the pre- and/or post-synaptic level, are involved in the control of spinal antinociception. 4. Naloxone (NX) and naltrexone (NTX) induced antinociceptive effects at low doses (microgram kg-1 range) and a lower antinociceptive effect at higher doses (mg kg-1 range). Low doses of NX or NTX antagonized Clon antinociception, possibly in relation to a preferential mu opioid receptor antagonism. In contrast, high doses of NX or NTX increased the antinociceptive activity of Clon, which could be due to an enhanced inhibition of the release of substance P. 5. The results obtained in the present work suggest the involvement of alpha 1-, alpha 2-adrenoceptor and opioid receptors in the modulation of the antinociceptive activity of clonidine, which seems to be exerted either at spinal and/or supraspinal level.     

Factors Affecting Dissolved Silica Concentrations, and DSi and DIN Stoichiometry in a Human Impacted Watershed (Po River, Italy)

Data on dissolved (DSi) and particulate (PSi) silica concentrations, along with DSi and DIN (dissolved inorganic nitrogen) stoichiometry in surface waters were reviewed for the Po river watershed. DSi in the cascade river and lake ecosystems followed clear upstream-downstream gradients. The DSi (77–178 kt Si y^???1) and PSi (879–1,486 kt Si y^???1) loadings from the Po river to the Adriatic Sea display strong inter-annual variability, related with the river discharge. In the lowland river reaches, the DSi to DIN ratio highlighted frequent potential Si limitation, especially in summer during diatom blooms. Since the Po river watershed is heavily inhabited and exploited with agriculture (~43 % of the total surface) and livestock husbandry (~3.4 × 10⁶ cattle heads), agriculture likely interferes with the natural silicon cycle. We present a preliminary assessment of the biogenic silica (BSi) which was fixed in and harvested with the main crop biomass. In the period 2000–2010, the total BSi in crops was 270–386 kt Si y^???1. Three main cereals (maize, wheat, rice) accounted for 70 % BSi, of which 89 % was accumulated in straw. The quantity of BSi that was annually accumulated in the cereal biomass increased 2–4 folds from 1950 to 2010. We estimated that a great part of the BSi accumulated in straw and fodder was processed by the cattle stock and returned to soil as manure. A large part of the cropland is exposed to erosion and PSi can be exported to canals and rivers at particularly high rates during flash flood events. Recent transformations of either agricultural practices or crop typology probably perturb the Si cycling.     

One-dimensional ecosystem model tests in the Po Prodelta area (Northern Adriatic Sea)

The application of a one-dimensional ecosystem model to a water column in front of the Po Prodelta area in the Northern Adriatic Sea is illustrated here. Validation was carried out for pelagic nutrients and phytoplankton biomasses by comparing simulations with historical data. Calibration was limited to the sediment parameters and to the suspended inorganic matter data from recent PRISMA-I (Programma di RIcerca e Sperimentazione per il Mare Adriatico) data sets. Primary production and nutrient abundance is found to be in overall agreement with climatological observations at the seasonal time scales. Model-data discrepancies are interpreted in the light of model assumptions. Main conclusions concern the importance of the inorganic suspended matter concentrations in determining the seasonal cycle of primary producers hinting to a strong light limitation in algal growth in this river dominated area. The need for further improvements in the pelagic dynamical processes of the silica cycle is also discussed.     

A numerical study of the interannual variability of the Adriatic Sea (2000-2002)

A free-surface, three-dimensional finite-difference numerical model based on the Princeton Ocean Model (POM) has been implemented in order to simulate the interannual variability of the Adriatic Sea circulation. The implementation makes use of an interactive surface momentum and heat flux computation that utilizes the European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts (ECMWF) 6-h analyses and the model predicted sea surface temperatures. The model is also nested at its open boundary with a coarse-resolution Mediterranean general circulation model, utilizing the same surface forcing functions. The simulation and analysis period spans 3 years (1 Jan 2000 to 31 Dec 2002) coinciding with the "Mucilage in the Adriatic and the Tyrrhenian" (MAT) Project monitoring activities. Model results for the simulated years show a strong interannual variability of the basin averaged proprieties and circulation patterns, linked to the atmospheric forcing variability and the Po river runoff. In particular, the years 2000 and 2002 are characterized by a weak surface cooling (with respect to the climatological value) and well-marked spring and autumn river runoff maxima. Conversely, 2001 is characterized by stronger wind and heat (autumn cooling) forcings but no river runoff autumn peak, even though the total amount of water inflow during winter and spring is sustained. The circulation is characterized by similar patterns in 2000 and 2002 but very different structures in 2001. During the latter, deep water is not formed in the northern Adriatic. A comparison with the observed data shows that the major model deficiencies are connected to the low salinity of the waters, probably connected to the missed inflow of salty Ionian waters of Aegean origin and to the numerical overestimation of the vertical mixing processes.     

Unclamped inductive switching behaviour of high power SOI vertical DMOS transistors with lateral drain contacts

The switching dynamics of silicon-on-insulator (SOI) high power vertical double diffused MOS (VDMOS) transistors with an inductive load has been investigated by device simulation. Unlike other conventional VDMOS devices, this device has drain contacts at the top surface. In general the switching behaviour of a power device during the unclamped inductive switching (UIS) test will determine the reliability of the power device as the energy stored in the inductor during the on state is dumped directly into the device when it is turned off. In this paper we compare the switching dynamics of the SOI VDMOS transistor with standard bulk silicon VDMOS device by doing numerical simulations. It is shown here, using 2D-device simulations that the power dissipated in the SOI VDMOS device during the UIS test is smaller by approximately a factor of 2 than in the standard bulk silicon VDMOSFET. The lower dissipation is due to the presence of the silicon film/buried oxide/substrate structure (this structure forms a SOI capacitor). In the case of the SOI VDMOS transistor the energy released from the inductor during the UIS test is stored to some extent in the SOI capacitor and partly dumped directly into the device. As a result the maximum current through the SOI device is separated in time from the maximum voltage across the device, unlike in the bulk case, thereby reducing the maximum power.     

Experimental validation of mechanical stress models by micro-Raman spectroscopy

It is shown that micro-Raman spectroscopy offers a unique tool for the validation of stress models for microelectronics devices. Starting from an analytical or numerical model that describes the variation of local stress in a device, the corresponding Raman shift is calculated and compared with the data. In this way feed-back is given to the model. This technique is demonstrated for stripes (Si₃N₄, COSi₂, W) on a Si substrate, but can be applied to any device where Raman data can be obtained.     

Adrenal origin of the increase in plasma dopamine beta-hydroxylase and catecholamines induced by hemorrhagic hypotension in dogs

Controlled hemorrhagic hypotension in anesthetized dogs causes progressive increases in dopamine beta-hydroxylase (DBH) and catecholamine (CA) plasma levels and in heart rate. The concentration (units per milliliter) and the calculated total plasma content of DBH activity [(units circulating + reservoir + samples] increased 2.6 and 2.3 times, respectively. A significant positive correlation (P less than .001) was found between the plasma levels of DBH and CA; however, the CA plasma levels increased earlier and were of greater magnitude (10-fold) than those of DBH. These results suggest that CAs are more sensitive indicators of acute changes in adrenergic activity than DBH. Surgical bilateral adrenalectomy completely abolished the increases in circulating CA and DBH levels and in heart rate induced by the hemorrhage, independently of the percentage of blood removed. These results indicate that the adrenal glands contribute almost exclusively to the rise in plasma DBH and CA caused by the bleeding stress and that high circulating CA concentrations seem to account for the tachycardia that accompanies the hemorrhagic hypotension. The infusion of the reservoir blood with a lower DBH and CA content than that present in the animal at that time produced a rapid fall in circulating CA levels (59.2 +/- 8.9 to 10.8 +/- 3.3 ng/ml) and no change in the DBH concentration (5.43 +/- 0.42 and 5.40 +/- 0.53 U/ml). A 38% increase in the calculated total plasma content of DBH occurred with the transfusion. Due to the large size of the DBH molecules, trapping in tissues during the hemorrhagic hypotension period might have occurred. The improvement in the hemodynamic conditions caused by the transfusion would facilitate the washout of the enzyme from the tissues into the circulation.     

High-power SOI vertical DMOS transistors with lateral drain contacts: Process developments, characterization, and modeling

Silicon-on-insulator (SOI) high-power vertical double-diffused MOS (VDMOS) transistors are demonstrated with a CMOS compatible fabrication process. A new backend trench formation process ensures a defect free device layer. Scanning electron microscope micrographs show that it is nearly free of defects. This has been achieved by moving the trench formation steps toward the end of the process. Our electrical measurements indicate that the transistors are fully functional. Electrothermal simulations show that unclamped inductive switching (UIS) test involves a substantial risk of turning the parasitic bipolar transistor (BJT) on. The UIS test is used to characterize the performance of power devices under unclamped inductive loading conditions. Extreme operating condition can be expected when all the energy stored in the inductor is released directly into device. Our measurements of the fabricated SOI VDMOSFET in the static region are in good agreement with the expected impact of the self-heating on the saturation behavior. The experiments at ambient temperature of 100/spl deg/C show that the break down voltage decreases as the drain voltage increases. This indicates that a parasitic BJT has been turned on.     

Leprosy in women: characteristics and repercussions

"Health is often measured in terms of low mortality; nevertheless, merely being alive is not a measure of the quality of life" H. Méndez Castellanos. Physiological, socioeconomic and cultural factors play important roles in the response of women to Mycobacterium leprae and in the impact of leprosy on their lives. They appear to develop stronger immunological responses to M. leprae than men, as suggested by lower incidence and less severe clinical forms of disease in most areas of the world, as well as stronger reactions of cell-mediated immunity after prophylactic vaccination. Genetic factors and physiological status including pregnancy, intercurrent infection and malnutrition might be among the factors which modulate this response. Women in leprosy-endemic areas of the world, with few exceptions, suffer from marked economic and social dependency and inferiority which can only be heightened by the social stigma associated with leprosy. Nevertheless, they bear an enormous responsibility for the health of their families, often as head of the household, and they often possess a unique capacity to influence community opinion. With the introduction of multidrug therapy, leprosy control throughout the world is no longer an unrealistic goal. Active vaccination may constitute the other factor necessary for eventual eradication of the disease. The incorporation of women at all levels into active roles in health care programs may constitute one of the decisive factors in the success or failure of leprosy control.     

Effect of bump height on the strain variation during the thermalcycling test of ACA flip-chip joints

Flip chip joining using anisotropically conductive adhesive (ACA) has become a very attractive technique for electronics packaging. Many factors can influence the reliability of the ACA flip-chip joint. Bump height, is one of these factors. In this work, the strain development during the thermal cycling test of flip-chip joining with different bump heights was studied. The effect of bump height is significant in the interface between the bumps and the pads. Bigger volume area of high strain is found for higher bump in the interface between the bumps and the pads. Our calculations show that there is practically no effect of the bump height on the strain variation in the bumps and in the pads