The Masculine Mystique

This textual analysis explores the rhetoric of exclusion among homosexual men by analyzing DouchebagsofGrindr.com. The rhetoric of exclusion is used by some homosexual men in order to achieve hegemonic masculinity based on performance of gender, age, race, and physical characteristics to conquer stereotypes of femininity. The gay community utilizes civil rights rhetoric in order to create a dialogue about equality; unfortunately a disturbing number of gay community members frequently discount homosexual male minorities, perpetuating the notion that homosexual minorities are unattractive because they violate heteronormative gender performances. Analyzing the artifact DouchebagsofGrindr.com allows for a glimpse into the self-deprecating online behavior employed by some members of the gay community to obtain hegemonic masculinity. Hegemonic ideology is shown to influence communication processes, which indicates that culture and society effect how male gender roles should be performed. Heterosexuality is associated with perceptions of masculinity, and discourse becomes disputed when men do not adequately perform their gender as dictated by society. By utilizing masculinity and the public sphere as a theoretical lens, this study highlights the burden on the gay community to appear masculine and physically attractive in order to feel accepted. This research found through the reframing of 349 profiles posted on DouchebagsofGrindr.com that profile photos, profile text, and identifying information of Grindr users are factors that members on DouchebagsofGrindr.com use to determine if a profile should be posted on the website. Finally, findings suggest that the gay community perceives effeminate acting gay men as having failed to adequately conceptualize hegemonic masculinity

Quantum computing for quantum tunneling

We demonstrate how quantum field theory problems can be practically encoded by using a discretization of the field theory problem into a general Ising model, with the continuous field values being encoded into Ising spin chains. To illustrate the method, and as a simple proof of principle, we use a (hybrid) quantum annealer to recover the correct profile of the thin-wall tunnelling solution. This method is applicable to many nonperturbative problems

Botulinum toxin treatment of urethral and bladder dysfunction.

Tremendous excitement has been generated by the use of botulinum toxin for the treatment of various types of urethral and bladder dysfunction over the past several years. Botulinum toxin is the most lethal naturally occurring toxin known to mankind. Why, then, would an urologist want to use this agent to poison the bladder or urethral sphincter? In this review article we will examine the mechanisms underlying the effects of botulinum toxin treatment. We will discuss the current use of this agent within the urologic community and will provide perspectives on future targets of botulinum toxin.</p

Botulinum Toxin Use in the Lower Urinary Tract

Botulinum toxins are well known for their ability to disrupt neurotransmission and cause muscle paralysis. Recently, urologists have discovered their beneficial effects in patients with neurogenic and overactive bladder conditions. This review is intended to provide a quick overview for urologists of the structure, function, and clinical uses of botulinum neurotoxin A in the lower urinary tract

GREEN, EQUITABLE AND LIVABLE TRANSFORMING THE CORE OF MASON SQUARE IN SPRINGFIELD, MA

GREEN, EQUITABLE AND LIVABLE - TRANSFORMING THE CORE OF MASON SQUARE takes a focused look at the Mason Square Planning District in Springfield, Ma and provides strategies for urban design and landscape architecture to support a community’s vision for the future. The students engaged through various community meetings for the larger Mason Square district in the spring of 2023 and enthusiastically supported the ideas and thoughts that were expressed. brownfield at Wilbraham Avenue. The larger goal is to shape a district for everybody to create safe and beautiful streets, provide better connectivity to public urban green, enhance arts, culture and dining, and catalyze equitable housing and business opportunities. Core Recommendations: Ben Swan Way is a space that should be used more for temporary community events. More usable for people as a small-scale neighborhood hub for curbside dining, cultural events, markets, performances. Measures range from complete closing down for regular traffic to modest alteration of parking layout and introduction of pedestrian-friendly surfaces to slow down traffic. Reduction of traffic speed along State Street and Wilbraham Road through reduction of lane widths and/or number of lanes, elevated pedestrian crossings, planting of big street trees, establishment of bike lanes and on-street parking. Implementation through phasing and testing. Safe ways to walk back and forth from residential areas to the Rebecca Johnson and the DeBerry Swan School. Primary street corridors need more pedestrian-scale lighting, benches, and covered bus stops. Former MCDI area should be developed with a diverse strategy that encompasses opportunities for small businesses and manufacturing including work/live/art, adult education, mix of affordable and market rate housing, hospitality industry and community services as a hub for the Mason Square community. Food is an topic in the district that needs to be addressed at multiple scales and levels. Offering spaces for community gardens on vacant or underutilized lots can be a great opportunity to educate about food and create community. Local markets should cater to diverse income levels to provide food security. Food should be part of the local economy and display the ethnic diversity. The neighborhood needs more and various restaurants and places to eat. Inclusion of art and activities that acknowledge black culture and the diversity of today. Embrace the racial history of the project area through expansion of community-building art events such as Fresh Paint, and commemoration of Nelson Stevens and AfriCOBRA (the African Commune of Bad Relevant Artists). Stronger pedestrian and bicycle connections from east to west. Underutilized land along the former railroad corridor should be used as a green spine for the community. The proposed trail “McKnight Rail Trail” should be implemented in phases to regain traction and credibility of the more than 30-year old planning proposals The area of Springfield Water and Sewer Commission should be repurposed for recreation and housing to glue the neighborhoods together. Illumination, color scheme, friendly appearance of storefronts is necessary that people feel safe 24/7. Plantings with big trees can minimize heat island effects in the core area of Mason Square. Green roofs for new buildings, green facades and stormwater swales are recommended. Editor: Chandana Palika Copy Editor: Frank Sleeger

The cost-effectiveness of influenza vaccination for people aged 50 to 64 years: An international model

Objectives: Routine influenza vaccination is currently recommended in several countries for people aged more than 60 or 65 years or with high risk of complications. A lower age threshold of 50 years has been recommended in the United States since 1999. To help policymakers consider whether such a policy should be adopted more widely, we conducted an economic evaluation of lowering the age limit for routine influenza vaccination to 50 years in Brazil, France, Germany, and Italy.Methods: the probabilistic model was designed to compare in a single season the costs and clinical outcomes associated with two alternative vaccination policies for persons aged 50 to 64 years: reimbursement only for people at high risk of complications (current policy), and reimbursement for all individuals in this age group (proposed policy). Two perspectives were considered: third-party payer (TPP) and societal. Model inputs were obtained primarily from the published literature and validated through expert opinion. the historical distribution of annual influenza-like illness (ILI) incidence was used to simulate the uncertain incidence in any given season. We estimated gains in unadjusted and quality-adjusted life expectancy, and the cost per quality-adjusted life-year (QALY) gained. Deterministic and probabilistic sensitivity analyses were conducted.Results: Comparing the proposed to the current policy, the estimated mean costs per QALY gained were R$4,100, 13,200, 31,400 and 15,700 for Brazil, France, Germany, and Italy, respectively, from a TPP perspective. From the societal perspective, the age-based policy is predicted to yield net cost savings in Germany and Italy, whereas the cost per QALY decreased to R$2800 for Brazil and 8000 for France. the results were particularly sensitive to the ILI incidence rate, vaccine uptake, influenza fatality rate, and the costs of administering vaccination. Assuming a cost-effectiveness threshold ratio of 50,000 per QALY gained, the probabilities of the new policy being cost-effective were 94% and 95% for France, 72% and near 100% for Germany, and 89% and 99% for Italy, from the TPP and societal perspectives, respectively.Conclusions: Extending routine influenza vaccination to people more than 50 years of age is likely to be cost-effective in all four countries studied.I3 Innovus, Uxbridge UB8 1QG, Middx, EnglandUniv Jena, Inst Virol & Antiviral Therapy, Jena, GermanyINSERM, U444, Paris, FranceUniv Genoa, Dept Hlth Sci, Genoa, ItalyUniversidade Federal de São Paulo, Reg Influenza Surveillance Grp, São Paulo, BrazilUniv York, Ctr Hlth Econ, York YO10 5DD, N Yorkshire, EnglandI3 Innovus, Medford, MA USAHarvard Univ, Sch Publ Hlth, Boston, MA 02115 USAUniversidade Federal de São Paulo, Reg Influenza Surveillance Grp, São Paulo, BrazilWeb of Scienc

Intraprostatic injection of botulinum toxin type- A relieves bladder outlet obstruction in human and induces prostate apoptosis in dogs

BACKGROUND: With the increasing interest with botulinum toxin – A (BTX-A) application in the lower urinary tract, we investigated the BTX-A effects on the canine prostate and also in men with bladder outlet obstruction (BOO) due to benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). METHODS: Transperineal injection into the prostate using transrectal ultrasound (TRUS) was performed throughout the study. Saline with or without 100 U of BTX-A was injected into mongrel dogs prostate. One or 3 months later, the prostate was harvested for morphologic and apoptotic study. In addition, eight BPH patients refractory to α-blockers were treated with ultrasound guided intraprostatic injection of 200 U of BTX-A. RESULTS: In the BTX-A treated dogs, atrophy and diffuse apoptosis was observed with H&E stain and TUNEL stain at 1 and 3 months. Clinically, the mean prostate volume, symptom score, and quality of life index were significantly reduced by 18.8%, 73.1%, and 61.5% respectively. Maximal flow rate significantly increased by 72.0%. CONCLUSION: Intraprostatic BTX-A injection induces prostate apotosis in dogs and relieves BOO in humans. It is therefore a promising alternative treatment for refractory BOO due to BPH

Recent Advances in Intravesical Drug/Gene Delivery

Targeting of the drugs administered systemically relies on the higher affinity of ligands for specific receptors to obtain selectivity in drug response. However, achieving the same goal inside the bladder is much easier with an intelligent pharmaceutical approach that restricts drug effects by exploiting the pelvic anatomical architecture of the human body. This regional therapy involves placement of drugs directly into the bladder through a urethral catheter. It is obvious that drug administration by this route holds advantage in chemotherapy of superficial bladder cancer and it has now become the most widely used treatment modality for this ailment. In recent years, the intravesical route has also been exploited either as an adjunct to an oral regimen or as a second-line treatment for neurogenic bladder 1, 2. Instillation of DNA via this route using different vectors has been able to restrict the transgene expression in organs other than bladder. The present review article will discuss the shortcomings of the current options available for intravesical drug delivery (IDD) and lay a perspective for future developments in this field

Detrusor overactivity induced by intravesical application of adenosine 5 '-triphosphate under different delivery conditions in rats

Objectives. We investigate the effects of intravesical application of adenosine 5'-triphosphate (ATP) on bladder activity to elucidate the role of urothelial barrier function and ecto-ATPase activity in the ATP-mediated mechanism inducing detrusor overactivity. Methods. Continuous cystometry by an intravesical catheter inserted from the bladder dome was performed in conscious female rats. Results. ATP solutions adjusted to pH 6.0 did not elicit significant detrusor overactivity at a concentration of 60 mM. However, in bladders pretreated with protamine sulfate (10 mg/mL) to increase urothelial permeability, ATP solution (pH 6.0) induced detrusor overactivity by decreasing the intercontraction intervals. These irritant effects of ATIP after protamine treatment were antagonized by P2X receptor antagonists, such as pyridoxal-5-phosphate-6-azophenyl-2',4-disulfonic acid (70 mu mol/kg) and 2',3'-O-(2,4,6, trinitrophenyl) ATP (30 mu mol/kg). These were also suppressed in rats pretreated with systemic capsaicin (125 mg/kg subcutaneously). Alpha,beta-methylene ATP (5 mM, pH 6.0) or ATP (60 mM, pH6) after intravesical infusion of 4,4'-diisothiocyanatostilbene-2,2'-disulfonic acid (5 mM, pH 6.0), an ecto-ATPase inhibitor, induced detrusor overactivity without protamine pretreatment, but the reduction in intercontraction intervals was smaller compared with that with ATP after protamine treatment. Conclusions. Low permeability of bladder epithelium and ecto-ATPase activity can prevent ATP activation of subepithelial P2X receptors to induce bladder overactivity. Thus, enhanced penetration of endogenous ATIP owing to urothelial damage may contribute to urinary frequency and bladder pain in hypersensitive bladder disorders such as interstitial cystitis.</p