A Comparison of Selected Methods of Graphitizing Inoculation Applied after the Spheroidizing Treatment

The work compares the effectiveness of selected methods of graphitizing inoculation applied after the spheroidization in the slender tundish ladle of 1 Mg capacity. The inoculation was carried out according to the three various options. The first one was performed simply by means of the block of inoculant inserted in the gating system of the mould, the second one started with initial inoculation by the in-stream method during the transfer of metal from the slender ladle to the pouring ladle and was completed with the secondary modification by means of the inoculant insert placed in the mould, the third one consisted in similar initial inoculation by the in-stream method during the transfer of metal from the slender ladle to the pouring ladle followed by the secondary inoculation, again by the in-stream method, applied during the pouring operation. Examination of cast iron structure allowed to find that the best results of inoculation are achieved in the case of inoculation carried out according to the Option III, though in all cases it was possible to produce cast iron of EN-GJS-400-15 grade meeting the demands of the Standard [8]

Retrospektive Analyse der Arrhythmieereignisse und der Mortalitätsdaten von Patienten mit einer dilatativen Kardiomyopathie und einem implantierten Kardioverter, Defibrillator

Ziel war die Beurteilung des Langzeitverlaufes von Patienten mit einer DCM und implantierten ICD. Ausgewertet wurden die Daten von 192 Patienten bei denen im Zeitraum zwischen 1989 und 2001 ein Implantierbarer Kardioverter/Defibrillator (ICD) implantiert wurde. Ausgewertet wurden 2502 Episoden, die zur Therapieabgabe führten und die Letalitätsdaten. Verschiedene klinische Parameter wurden statistisch analysiert mit dem Ziel, Risikofaktoren für die Gesamtsterblichkeit und das Auftreten von Arrhythmieereignissen zu identifizieren. Durch die Implantation eines ICD ergab sich für die untersuchten Patienten ein signifikanter Überlebensvorteil. In der statistischen Analyse der einzelnen klinischen Variablen war sowohl das Auftreten jeder Form von Arrhythmien als auch die Mortalität vom Ausmaß der LV-Funktionsstörung, der NYHA-Klassifikation und vom Auftreten nicht anhaltender Tachykardien vor der ICD-Implantation abhängig

Pathologic Complete Response of HER-2 Neu-Positive Invasive Ductal Carcinoma and Ductal Carcinoma In Situ following Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy plus Trastuzumab: A Case Report and Review of Literature

Pathologic complete response (pCR) after NC has been consistently associated with improved outcomes. Residual DCIS after NC does not portray worse prognosis compared to complete eradication of all disease but has clinical implications regarding surgical management. We report a case of pCR of DCIS associated with invasive carcinoma in an HER-2 + tumor after NC plus trastuzumab despite persistence of malignant-appearing microcalcifications mammographically. A 41-year-old Caucasian female presented with a 4 × 4 cm mass in the right breast and a 2.5 cm right axillary node. Mammogram showed a 2.5 cm mass and a 12 cm area of linear pleomorphic, suspicious calcifications in the upper part of the breast. Core biopsy revealed invasive ductal carcinoma and DCIS associated with calcifications (ER 85%, PR 6%, Her2neu 3+ by IHC). Axillary node FNA was positive for malignancy. The patient received doxorubicin/cyclophosphamide (AC) → paclitaxel plus T with complete clinical and radiologic response but no significant change in the microcalcifications. Final pathology showed no residual invasive carcinoma or DCIS despite the presence of numerous ducts with microcalcifications. Documented eradication of DCIS has not been reported following NC when malignant-appearing calcifications persist and this observation may have important clinical implications regarding surgical management

Inherent Grading Characteristics of Individual Pathologists Contribute to Clinically and Prognostically Relevant Interobserver Discordance Concerning Broders' Grading of Penile Squamous Cell Carcinomas

Introduction: The aim of our study was to evaluate the significance of transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP) to detect prostate cancer (PCa). A comparison was performed of the TURP specimens of patients undergoing high-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) with the core biopsies. Materials and Methods: TURP before undergoing HIFU therapy was performed in 106 patients without neoadjuvant treatment. The resected tissue was subjected to histopathological evaluation and compared to the histological results of transrectal prostate biopsy. Results: Cancer was detected in the resected tissue of 69 patients (65%). A positive correlation of the amount of resected tissue and detection of PCa could be demonstrated in a multivariate analysis. Conclusions: With a rate of 65% PCa detected by TURP, our data provide evidence that TURP might be suitable to detect PCa in a small group of selected patients with continuously rising PSA levels and several negative biopsies. On the other hand, these data underline/reinforce the necessity to treat the whole gland using modern treatment modalities such as HIFU and cryotherapy

The FUSE binding proteins FBP1 and FBP3 are potential c-myc regulators in renal, but not in prostate and bladder cancer

BACKGROUND: The three far-upstream element (FUSE) binding proteins (FBP1, FBP2, and FBP3) belong to an ancient family of single-stranded DNA binding proteins which are required for proper regulation of the c-myc proto-oncogene. Whereas it is known that c-myc alterations play a completely different role in various carcinomas of the urogenital tract, the relevance of FBPs is unclear. Methods: FBP1, FBP3 and c-myc expression was studied in 105 renal cell, 95 prostate and 112 urinary bladder carcinomas by immunohistochemistry using tissue microarrays. High rates of FBP1 and FBP3 expression were observed in all cancer types. RESULTS: There was a concomitant up-regulation of FBP1 and FBP3 in renal cell and prostate carcinomas (p<0.001 both). C-myc expression was detectable in 21% of prostate, 30% of renal and 34% of urothelial carcinomas. Interestingly, strong FBP1 and FBP3 expression was associated with c-myc up-regulation in clear cell renal cell carcinomas (p<0.001 and 0.05 resp.), but not in bladder or prostate cancer. CONCLUSIONS: The correlation between FBP1/FBP3, c-myc and high proliferation rate in renal cell carcinoma provides strong in vivo support for the suggested role of FBP1 and FBP3 as activators of c-myc. The frequent up-regulation of FBP1 and FBP3 in urothelial and prostate carcinoma suggests that FBPs also have an important function in gene regulation of these tumors

Responsible management: Engaging moral reflexive practice through threshold concepts

YesIn this conceptual paper we argue that, to date, principles of responsible management have not impacted practice as anticipated because of a disconnect between knowledge and practice. This disconnect means that an awareness of ethical concerns, by itself, does not help students take personal responsibility for their actions. We suggest that an abstract knowledge of principles has to be supplemented by an engaged understanding of the responsibility of managers and leaders to actively challenge irresponsible practices. We argue that a form of moral reflexive practice drawing on an understanding of threshold concepts is central to responsible management, and provides a gateway to transformative learning. Our conceptual argument leads to implications for management and professional education

Rest, zest and my innovative best: sleep and mood as drivers of entrepreneurs’ innovative behavior

This study investigates the antecedents of an entrepreneur’s day-level innovative behavior. Drawing on 2,420 data points from a 10-day experience sampling study with 121 entrepreneurs, we find that sleep quality is a precursor to an entrepreneur’s subsequent innovative behavior, in accordance with the effort-recovery model. Moreover, sleep quality is positively related to high-activation positive moods (e.g., enthusiastic, inspired) and negatively related to high-activation negative moods (e.g., tension, anxiety). Our multilevel structural equation model indicates that high-activation positive moods mediate the relationship between sleep quality and innovative behavior on a given day. These results are relevant for managing entrepreneurial performance

Business Ethics: The Promise of Neuroscience

Recent advances in cognitive neuroscience research portend well for furthering understanding of many of the fundamental questions in the field of business ethics, both normative and empirical. This article provides an overview of neuroscience methodology and brain structures, and explores the areas in which neuroscience research has contributed findings of value to business ethics, as well as suggesting areas for future research. Neuroscience research is especially capable of providing insight into individual reactions to ethical issues, while also raising challenging normative questions about the nature of moral responsibility, autonomy, intent, and free will. This article also provides a brief summary of the papers included in this special issue, attesting to the richness of scholarly inquiry linking neuroscience and business ethics. We conclude that neuroscience offers considerable promise to the field of business ethics, but we caution against overpromise