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This presentation describes the experience of RNP in evaluating alternatives for dynamic circuit provisioning in a hybrid packet-circuit architecture, for future experimental deployment in RNP´s production IPE network in 2011.

The incidence of herpes zoster (HZ) virus infection is 215 per 100 000 person-years. It is more common in the elderly at a rate of 1400 per 100 000 person-years. Approximately 8% of these patients are sufficiently symptomatic to require treatment within a month and this decreases to 3% at 12 months. Prevention is the best insurance against PHN, implying that early treatment with anti-viral regional anesthesia-sympathetic, or mixed central neural (epidural) blocks if available, and the concurrent use of tricyclics and anticonvulsants are all helpful. While PHN and diabetic neuropathy are two common neuropathic pain syndromes, PHN differs in having inflammatory changes that extend from the skin to the central nervous system which may spread to the contralateral and asymptomatic dermatomes. The most effective treatments at this time are tricyclic anti-depressants, anticonvulsants and antiarrhythmics. These agents should be combined with long acting opioids and recent results suggest that NMDA antagonists are additive. Topical lidocaine may be quite effective in the treatment of hyperalgesia and in reducing the incidence of spontaneous paresthesiae. In most cases while the foregoing methods may be only marginally successful if the area is circumscribed such as is the case in the trigeminal region, sequential circumferention subcutaneous infiltration of a local anesthetic and steroid may be effective. Neuromodulation using neurostimulation may be effective for intractable PHN of the trunk or lower extremity. It is less successful in managing symptoms in the cervical dermatomes or upper extremity. Zirconitide (SNX111) the n-calcium channel blocking agent has been effective in treating severe intractable PHN. Its application requires implantation of an intrathecal infusion system and the acceptance of some central nervous system side effects, which however, may be insignificant in comparison with the pain relief obtained. In summary: PHN treatment can be prioritized by use of those agents which have been found most effective and to which other treatment modalities may be added to achieve the best efficacy.

Impedance sensors perform an important role in a number of biosensing applications, including particle counting, sizing, and velocimetry. Detection of nanoparticles, or changes in, e.g., the interfacial Debye–Hückel layer, can also be performed using nanoscale impedance sensors. One method for monitoring changes in the local impedance is to use radiofrequency reflectometry, which when combined with an impedance-matched sensor can afford very high sensitivity with very large detection bandwidth. Maintaining sensitivity and dynamic range, however, requires continuous tuning of the impedance matching network. Here we demonstrate a dual feedback tuning circuit, which allows us to maintain near-perfect impedance matching, even in the presence of long-term drifts in sensor impedance. We apply this tuning technique to a nanoscale interdigitated impedance sensor, designed to allow the direct detection of nanoparticles or real-time monitoring of molecular surface binding. We demonstrate optimal performance of the nanoscale sensor and tuned impedance network both when modulating the concentration of saline to which the sensor is exposed and when electronically switching between sensors configured in a two-element differential array, achieving a stabilization response time of

Sensation is achieved through the integration of many neural elements: receptors, afferent and efferent neurons, the spinal cord with its subdivisions, and the higher brain centers. One of the many sensations perceived by the human body is that of pain or nociception. To understand the concept of "back pain" associated with various spinal pathologies, some basic knowledge of the anatomy and physiology of sensation, and more specifically nociception, is necessary. This knowledge is presented herein.

Intraspinal narcotic (usually intrathecal morphine) infusions with implanted pumps are increasingly used in patients with intractable chronic pain not caused by cancer. In some patients, pain control is difficult with infusions of morphine. Seven patients with diagnoses of arachnoiditis, epidural scarring, and/or vertebral body compression fracture were treated with alternative solutions in an epidural route. For maximal flexibility, Medtronic implanted programmable infusion pumps with catheters to T6-T10 were used, and pain was monitored by verbal pain scales. In three patients, epidural infusions of morphine in 0.5% bupivacaine (MS-MARC) resulted in little or no pain relief without significant side effects (e.g., headache, nausea, or vomiting). In these same patients, epidural infusions of sufentanil citrate resulted in pain scale reductions of 92%, 82%, and 40%, respectively, with no side effects. Four other patients found more effective pain relief when switched from initial sufentanil citrate infusions to MS-MARC. Pain scale reductions (with no side effects) were 92%, 76%, 59%, and 47% in these patients. Pain relief and minimal side effects with sufentanil citrate is theorized to result from its higher lipophilicity promoting local transdural diffusion to spinal cord and limiting upward diffusion to the brain stem. Sufentanil citrate is also advantageous for programmable pumps because it is 100 times more potent than morphine and therefore allows longer pump refill times and higher infusion doses. Although this study was done on a limited number of patients, sufentanil citrate and MS-MARC in epidural infusions using programmable infusion pumps for non-cancer patients provide significant alternative drug combinations and routes.

Western scholars have ignored the contributions of the Golden Age of medieval Islamic civilization prior to the rise of colleges and universities in the West. In Higher Education in Islam, Charles Stanton describes the tremendous debt that western civilization owes to that astonishingly brilliant period of medieval Islam, when the arts and sciences, philosophy and theology, and literature in general reached the pinnacle of their development. In an engaging, lucid style, Stanton provides an excellent synthesis of current research on this important era of Islamic cultural, religious and intellectual matters.

Ten healthy, unpremedicated, male volunteers, aged 21-33 years, were given 20 ml 1 per cent etidocaine with 5 mug/ml epinephrine for peridural analgesia via a catheter placed L2. On a different occasion they were given 20 ml 2 per cent lidocaine with 5 mug/ml epinephrine in the same manner. Initial onset of sensory analgesia to pin prick was faster for etidocaine (7 min) than for lidocaine (9 min). Analgesia lasted significantly longer after etidocaine with respect to both two-segment regression (177 plus or minus SE min vs. 114 plus or minus 8 min) and total duration (379 plus or minus 22 min vs. 190 plus or minus 8 min). Onset of maximal motor blockade was significantly faster with etidocaine (15.4 plus or minus 2.5 min) than with lidocaine (31.7 plus or minus 3.3 min); blockade lasted longer with etidocaine (331 plus or minus 25 min vs. 167 plus or minus 13 min). Changes in mean arterial pressure cardiac output, central venous pressure, limb blood flows, total peripheral resistance, and stroke volume were similar with the two drugs, although those after etidocaine were more prolonged as a result of the longer blockade. Mean maximum arterial concentrations of etidocaine were 0.96 plus or minus 0.05 SE mug/ml (plasma) and 0.55 plus or minus 0.03 mug/ml (whold blood), achieved at 17 plus or minus 2 min. Mean maximum arterial concentrations of lidocaine were 2.22 plus or minus 0.09 mug/ml (plasma) and 1.85 plus or minus mug/ml (whold blood), achieved at 24 plus or minus 2 min. No sign of central toxicity was observed with either drug, although subjects receiving lidocaine tended to sleep, which was not the case with etidocaine. Hematologic screening, blood chemistries, and urinalyses performed 24 hours before and after each study showed no abnormality.

There were two areas of inquiry, the first relating to judgments of rules of games, the second to judgments of a variety of familiar actions. Subjects were boys and girls aged twelve and fifteen. Comparisons were made between sexes as well as between age‐groups. A developmental trend was apparent, indicated by a tendency for assessments of younger pupils to be higher for behaviours generally rated as desirable and lower for those rated as being anti‐social. Factor analyses showed that, for the ‘ rules’ inquiry there were a number of common features. For the ‘ actions’ inquiry there were similarities for behaviours with ratings at the extremes of the range but a number of variations in what could be called ‘lower level’ altruistic behaviours.

Considerable importance has been attached, in recent years, to the academic aspects of the professional development of secondary school principals. A case is presented for several issues to be included in education for administration. The purposes of this education should be clearly stated; principals should be acquainted with ways of evaluating administration in their own schools; the many implications of the changing nature of secondary education should be considered. The writer suggests that administrators should study ways in which the school and its structures can influence pupils' social development. Organisational theory, an enduring issue, is considered in terms of a multidisciplinary approach to the study of educational administration.

Groups of male and female secondary school pupils in six countries in different parts of the world rated various forms of positive and negative behaviour. There were few differences between ratings of males and females in each country. Cross‐cultural comparisons showed that, while there was agreement between groups for assessments of some behaviours, there were substantial differences for many others. These results lead to the conclusion that there doex not appear to be a basis for postulating universal stages of moral judgment.

Twenty boys and twenty girls aged between ten and eleven responded to questions relating to various forms of positive and negative behaviour. Subjects were interviewed individually. The questions were previously used in a study of teachers’ views of children's actions and were considered to be within the experience of children. ‘Moral dilemma’ questions were avoided. Initially responses were polarised: actions were rated either very good or very bad, in contrast to teachers’ views of similar actions, which were considerably more moderate. When alternative forms of the question were presented there was evidence of greater discrimination than was at first apparent. Actions considered to be neutral also indicated ability to discriminate.

(1976). THE ASSESSMENT OF MORAL JUDGMENTS: CULTURAL AND COGNITIVE CONSIDERATIONS. Religious Education: Vol. 71, No. 6, pp. 610-621.

The purpose of the study was to ascertain perceptions, by teachers, of some features of secondary school functioning. Eighty‐nine teachers responded to a question‐schedule dealing with various aspects of school life. Results showed that, while there were differences in perceptions between those classified as having low or high status, there were also differences associated with particular interests. It was concluded that a universalistic view of schools as organizations would not appear to have a firm foundation.

This study is concerned with two features relating to the contribution of schools to the development of positive community relations: pupils’ views of other national groups and pupils’ perceptions of influences relating to the formation of these views. It would seem desirable that, in the field under consideration, where opinions or views may be influenced by a variety of sources outside the control of the school, teachers should be aware not only of the trend in pupils’ opinions but also of the way in which pupils regard the school as an influence in forming their views.

Effects of different levels of peridural analgesia on cardiovascular dynamics, blood gases and limb blood flow were studied in normovolemic man. Lidocaine, 2 per cent, was injected to achieve successively greater levels of analgesic block. During analgesia to T4 or below, MABP, TPR, and CO remained within normal limits; with T2-3 block, TPR decreased 15 per cent and CO increased 22.6 per cent, resulting in a 5 per cent increase in MABP; with blocks extending to T1 or higher, TPR decreased 18.7 per cent while CO remained slightly above normal, resulting in a 16.3 per cent reduction in MABP. Blood flow in the leg increased progressively to 292 per cent with T2-3 block, while blood flow in the arm decreased as much as 58 per cent. However, after extension of the block above T1, blood flow in the arm increased to 125 per cent above normal, while blood flow in the leg declined to 219 per cent above normal. The data suggest that cardiovascular responses to peridural block, unlike responses to subarachnoid block, are not the result of sympathetic blockade alone, but involve several other factors, including the dose of local anesthetic. When several doses of lidocaine result in arterial blood levels ranging from 4 to 7 µg/ml, most subjects develop increased CO. This may be sufficient to offset vasodilating effects of high sympathetic block so that MABP remains normal.

Operations on the lower extremities are commonly performed with either subarachnoid or epidural block. Although conduction anesthesia has a high rate of success and is relatively easy to perform, subarachnoid or epidural procedures may not be indicated for certain groups of patients, including the elderly, debilitated, arthritic, obese, or critically ill. With such patients, lowerextremity regional anesthesia can be accomplished by blocking the lumbosacral plexus or its branches.