Alteration of cyclic nucleotide levels in brain following intracranial self-stimulation in the rat

In a first experiment, 14 rats were implanted with an electrode in the ventral tegmental area and trained to self-stimulate. On the experimental day only half of the rats were allowed to self-stimulate for one hour. All rats were then sacrificed by immersion in liquid nitrogen. Seven brain regions were dissected and assayed for the endogenous concentration of cyclic nucleotides. Self-stimulation induced significant changes in striatum and hippocampus. However, a subsequent experiment showed that the same pattern of changes in the striatum can be produced by motor activity. On the other hand, changes in the hippocampus were specific to the self-stimulation group suggesting that this structure is associated with the brain reward system

Shareholder Value and the Performance of a Large Nursing Home Chain

OBJECTIVE: To analyze corporate governance arrangements and quality and financial performance outcomes among large multi-facility nursing home corporations (chains) that pursue stakeholder value (profit maximization) strategies. STUDY DESIGN: To establish a foundation of knowledge about the focal phenomenon and processes, we conducted an historical (1993-2005) case study of one of the largest chains (Sun Healthcare Inc.) that triangulated qualitative and quantitative data sources. DATA SOURCES: Two main sets of information were compared: (1) corporate sources including Sun's Security Exchange Commission (SEC) Form 10-K annual reports, industry financial reports, and the business press; and (2) external sources including, legal documents, press reports, and publicly available California facility cost reports and quality data. PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: Shareholder value was pursued at Sun through three inter-linked strategies: (1) rapid growth through debt-financed mergers; (2) labor cost constraint through low nurse staffing levels; and (3) a model of corporate governance that views sanctions for fraud and poor quality as a cost of business. CONCLUSIONS: Study findings and evidence from other large nursing home chains underscore calls from the Institute of Medicine and other bodies for extended oversight of the corporate governance and performance of large nursing home chains