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Weak
Kinds of Weak Terms modified by Weak Selected AbstractsWEAK AND STRONG SUSTAINABILITY, ENVIRONMENTAL CONSERVATION AND ECONOMIC GROWTHNATURAL RESOURCE MODELING, Issue 3 2006WERNER HEDIGER ABSTRACT. To investigate the role of explicit and implicit assumptions in different models of weak and strong sustain-ability, the Solow/Hartwick model of intergenerational equity with nonrenewable resources is gradually extended to include renewable resources, endogenous technical progress, and stock pollution. This reveals the fundamental role of endogenous technical progress for sustainable development, the inconsistency of implicit sustainability assumptions in various models, as well as the existence of a Hartwick rule for Daly's steady-state economy. Moreover, it shows that the concepts of Solow sustainability and strong sustainability coincide as a special case of weak sustainability. The latter integrates economic and environmental concerns and aims at maintaining the welfare potential of an economy over time. It does not rule out economic growth by assumption. Rather, the analysis shows that environmental conservation and economic growth can be compatible with each other, without jeopardizing social welfare. Finally, the analysis shows that the discussion of sustain-ability models cannot be restricted to the explicit differences that are usually pointed out by their authors and commentators. Rather, implicit assumptions must be made explicit. [source] Congressional or (Weak) Presidential Government: The Results of the Election Crisis of 2000CONSTELLATIONS: AN INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF CRITICAL AND DEMOCRATIC THEORY, Issue 3 2001Andrew Arato First page of article [source] Diplomatic Weapons of the Weak: Mexican Policymaking during the U.S.-Mexican Agrarian Dispute, 1934,1941DIPLOMATIC HISTORY, Issue 3 2002John J. Dwyer [source] Evaluating polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons using a yeast bioassayENVIRONMENTAL TOXICOLOGY & CHEMISTRY, Issue 7 2007Abeer Alnafisi Abstract Sixteen polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) were evaluated for the ability to activate aryl hydrocarbon (Ah) receptor signaling in a yeast-based bioassay. Individual PAHs were classified as inactive or as weakly, moderately, or strongly active based on induction of human Ah receptor signaling. Indeno[1,2,3- cd]pyrene, chrysene, benzo[a]anthracene, benzo[a]pyrene, benzo[j]fluoranthene, and benzo[k]fluoranthene were the most potent activators of human Ah receptor signaling. Various mixtures of PAHs had additive or synergistic effects in the bioassay. Environmental samples from the New Orleans (Louisiana, USA) and Detroit (Michigan, USA) areas that were previously analyzed for PAH composition and quantity were tested in this bioassay. Weak but statistically significant relationships were found when the analytically measured levels of PAHs were correlated with sample dilutions that gave 25% effective concentration signaling levels in the Ah receptor assay. We conclude that this Ah receptor signaling assay may be useful for preliminary biomonitoring of samples for PAHs and other Ah receptor ligands. [source] Odour-evoked [Ca2+] transients in mitral cell dendrites of frog olfactory glomeruliEUROPEAN JOURNAL OF NEUROSCIENCE, Issue 9 2001Kerry Delaney Abstract We measured Ca2+ concentration, [Ca2+], transients in mitral cell distal apical dendritic tufts produced by physiological odour stimulation of the olfactory epithelium and electrical stimulation of the olfactory nerve (ON) using two-photon scanning and conventional wide-field microscopy of Ca2+ -Green-1 dextran in an in vitro frog nose,brain preparation. Weak or strong ON shock-evoked fluorescence transients always had short latency with an onset 0,10 ms after the onset of the bulb local field potential, rapidly increasing to a peak of up to 25% fractional fluorescence change (,F/F) in 10,30 ms, were blocked by 10 µm CNQX, decaying with a time constant of about 1 s. With stronger ON shocks that activated many receptor axons, an additional, delayed, sustained AP5-sensitive component (peak at ,,0.5 s, up to 40% ,F/F maximum) could usually be produced. Odour-evoked [Ca2+] transients sometimes displayed a rapid onset phase that peaked within 50 ms but always had a sustained phase that peaked 0.5,1.5 s after onset, regardless of the strength of the odour or the amplitude of the response. These were considerably larger (up to 150% ,F/F) than those evoked by ON shock. Odour-evoked [Ca2+] transients were also distinguished from ON shock-evoked transients by tufts in different glomeruli responding with different delays (time to onset differed by up to 1.5 s between different tufts for the same odour). Odour-evoked [Ca2+] transients were increased by AMPA-kainate receptor blockade, but substantially blocked by AP5. Electrical stimulation of the lateral olfactory tract (5,6 stimuli at 10 Hz) that evoked granule cell feedback inhibition, blocked 60,100% of the odour-evoked [Ca2+] transient in tufts when delivered within about 0.5 s of the odour. LOT-mediated inhibition was blocked by 10 µm bicuculline. [source] Reconstructing Weak and Failed States: Foreign Intervention and the Nirvana FallacyFOREIGN POLICY ANALYSIS, Issue 4 2006CHRISTOPHER J. COYNE Attempts to reconstruct weak and failed countries suffer from a nirvana fallacy. Where central governments are absent or dysfunctional, it is assumed that reconstruction efforts by foreign governments generate a preferable outcome. This assumption overlooks (1) the possibility that foreign government interventions can fail, (2) the possibility that reconstruction efforts can do more harm than good, and (3) the possibility that indigenous governance mechanisms may evolve that are more effective than those imposed by military occupiers. It is argued that reconstruction efforts focus on resolving the meta-level game of creating self-sustaining liberal democratic institutions while neglecting the nested games embedded within the general meta-game. An analysis of Somalia, a prototypical failed state, is provided to illuminate these claims. While Somalia lacks a central government, the private sector has developed coping mechanisms to fill the void. These mechanisms have proven to be more effective in generating widespread order than attempts by foreign occupiers to impose a self-sustaining liberal state. [source] Association Between Testosterone and Estradiol and Age-Related Decline in Physical Function in a Diverse Sample of MenJOURNAL OF AMERICAN GERIATRICS SOCIETY, Issue 11 2008Andre B. Araujo PhD OBJECTIVES: To examine the association between aging and physical function in men by testing a theoretically based model of aging, hormones, body composition, strength, and physical function with data obtained from men enrolled in the Boston Area Community Health/Bone (BACH/Bone) Survey. DESIGN: Cross-sectional, observational survey. SETTING: Population-based. PARTICIPANTS: Eight hundred ten black, Hispanic, and white randomly selected men from the Boston area aged 30 to 79. MEASUREMENTS: Testosterone, estradiol, sex hormone,binding globulin, lean and fat mass, grip strength, and summated index of physical function (derived from walk and chair stand tests). RESULTS: Measures of grip strength and physical function declined strongly with age. For instance, 10 years of aging was associated with a 0.49-point difference (scale 0,7) in physical function. Age differences in total testosterone and estradiol concentrations were smaller than age differences in their free fractions. Weak or nonsignificant age-adjusted correlations were observed between hormones and measures of physical function, although path analysis revealed a positive association between testosterone and appendicular lean mass and a strong negative association between testosterone and total fat mass. Lean and fat mass, in turn, were strongly associated with grip strength and physical function, indicating the possibility that testosterone influences physical function via indirect associations with body composition. CONCLUSION: The age-related decline in serum testosterone concentration in men has a weak association with physical strength and functional outcomes through its associations with lean and fat mass. [source] Weak inhibitors protect cholinesterases from strong inhibitors (paraoxon): in vitro effect of tiaprideJOURNAL OF APPLIED TOXICOLOGY, Issue 6 2005G. A. Petroianu Abstract Weak and reversible inhibitors of cholinesterases, when administered before potent organophosphorus inhibitors (pretreatment), have the ability, to a certain extent, to protect enzymes from inhibition. Such a protective effect was demonstrated in vitro for metoclopramide and ranitidine. The putative mode of protective action of these substances is, when administered in excess, competition for the active site of the enzyme with the more potent organophosphate. The present paper presents results using another benzamide with weak cholinesterase inhibitory properties: tiapride (TIA). The purpose of the study was to quantify in vitro the extent that TIA conferred protection, using paraoxon (POX) as an inhibitor, and to compare the results with existing data obtained using TIA as a protective agent against dichlorvos (DDVP). POX is a highly toxic non-neuropathic organophosphate. While the use of parathion (the inactive prodrug which is metabolically converted to POX) has been restricted in most countries, the organophosphate is still responsible for a large number of accidental or suicidal exposures. DDVP is a moderately toxic, non-neuropathic organophosphate. Red blood cell (RBC) acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activities in whole blood and butyrylcholinesterase (BChE) activities in human plasma were measured photometrically in the presence of different POX and TIA concentrations and the IC50 was calculated. Determinations were repeated in the presence of increasing TIA concentrations. The IC50 of POX increases with the TIA concentration in a linear manner. The protective effect of tiapride on cholinesterase could be of practical relevance in the pretreatment of organophosphate poisoning. It is concluded that in vivo testing of TIA as an organophosphate protective agent is warranted. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Towards waste minimisation in WWTP: activated carbon from biological sludge and its application in liquid phase adsorptionJOURNAL OF CHEMICAL TECHNOLOGY & BIOTECHNOLOGY, Issue 7 2002Maria J Martin Abstract Surplus sludge produced during the biological treatment of wastewater requires costly disposal procedures. With increasing environmental and legislative constraints, increasing sludge production and more limited disposal options, new recycling alternatives have to be found. The possibility of obtaining activated carbons from surplus biological sludge by chemical activation with H2SO4 has been investigated. Operational parameters such as the amount of H2SO4 added, the temperature, and activation time were modified to ascertain their influence on the quality of the activated carbon obtained. The quality of the sludge-based activated carbons was evaluated by established characterisation parameters for adsorption from solution such as phenol value, iodine number, methylene blue number and tannin value and compared with commercial activated carbons. Activation at 700,°C for 30,min in the presence of 0.5,cm3 H2SO4,g,1 dry solids in the sludge led to an activated carbon with a good capacity for iodine and tannic acid. The sludge-derived activated carbon obtained is mesoporous in nature with a high presence of large macropores. Weak and moderate acidic surface functional groups were detected on the surface, which impart a hydrophilic nature to the solid. When compared with a commercial activated carbon, the sludge-derived activated carbon performed better when removing dyes with a high presence of anionic solubilising groups and heavy metals. The results indicate that COD adsorption from a biologically-treated effluent may also be an area for application. © 2002 Society of Chemical Industry [source] Validity of an instrument to measure the impact of valve heart disease on the patient's daily lifeJOURNAL OF CLINICAL NURSING, Issue 7 2007Kátia Melissa Padilha RN Aim., This study was to verify the psychometric properties of the Heart Valve Disease Impact on daily life, an instrument for measuring the impact of illness in the daily life of the heart valve disease patient, related to its construct validity, criterion-related validity and reliability. Methods., One hundred and twenty heart valve disease outpatients were enrolled. Data were submitted to descriptive analysis, factor analysis, Pearson's correlation coefficient and Cronbach's alpha coefficient. Results., The factor analysis generated four factors that explained 58% of the variance in response to the Heart Valve Disease Impact on daily life. Weak to moderate correlation was measured between the Heart Valve Disease Impact on daily life total score and two of its factors and the General Measure of Impact of illness, indicating criterion-related validity. A Cronbach's alpha of 0·74 was measured. Conclusion., The results of the current study confirm both the construct and criterion validity and the internal consistency of the Heart Valve Disease Impact on daily life. Future studies are necessary to confirm its reliability and provide a better understanding of the meaning of the Heart Valve Disease Impact on daily life dimensions, as well as to evaluate its response to health interventions. Relevance to clinical practice., The Heart Valve Disease Impact on daily life could be a useful instrument to measure the impact of heart valve disease and to evaluate the response to health interventions. [source] Multigenerational analysis of spatial structure in the terrestrial, food-deceptive orchid Orchis masculaJOURNAL OF ECOLOGY, Issue 2 2009Hans Jacquemyn Summary 1In long-lived, terrestrial orchids, strong aggregation of adults and recruits within populations and pronounced spatial association between recruits and adults can be expected when seed dispersal is limited, probabilities of seed germination decrease with increasing distance from mother plants and/or not all mother plants contribute to future generations. When individuals are distributed evenly across life-history stages, these processes can also be expected to result in a significant fine-scale spatial genetic structure in recruits that will persist into the adult-stage class. 2We combined detailed spatial genetic and point pattern analyses across different generations with parentage analyses to elucidate the role of the diverse processes that might determine spatial structure in Orchis mascula. 3Analyses of spatial point patterns showed a significant association between adults and recruits and similar clustering patterns for both. Weak, but highly significant spatial genetic structure was observed in adults and recruits, but no significant differences were observed across life stages, indicating that the spatial genetic structure present in recruits persists into the adult stage. 4Parentage analyses highlighted relatively short seed dispersal distances (median offspring-recruitment distance: 1.55 and 1.70 m) and differential contribution of mother plants to future generations. 5Persistence of fine-scale spatial genetic structure from seedlings into the adult stage class is consistent with the life history of O. mascula, whereas relatively large dispersal distances of both pollen and seeds compared to the fine-scale clustering of adults and seedlings suggest overlapping seed shadows and mixing of genotypes within populations as the major factors explaining the observed weak spatial genetic structure. 6Nonetheless, comparison of the spatial association between recruits and adults with the genetic analysis of offspring-parent distances suggests that the tight clustering of recruits around adults was probably caused by decreasing probabilities of seed germination with increasing distance from mother plants. 7Synthesis. This study shows that the approach presented here, which combines spatial genetic and spatial pattern analyses with parentage analyses, may be broadly applied to other plant species to elucidate the processes that determine spatial structure within their populations. [source] A Weak Embrace: Popular and Scholarly Depictions of Single-Parent Families, 1900 , 1998JOURNAL OF MARRIAGE AND FAMILY, Issue 2 2009Margaret L. Usdansky The growth of single-parent families constitutes one of the most dramatic and most studied social changes of the 20th century. Evolving attitudes toward these families have received less attention. This paper explores depictions of these families in representative samples of popular magazine (N = 474) and social science journal (N = 202) articles. Critical depictions of divorce plummeted between 1900 and 1998, a trend stemming not from any increase in favorable depictions but from the virtual disappearance of normative debate. Such de facto acceptance did not extend to nonmarital childbearing, however, depictions of which were almost as likely to be critical at the century's end as at its beginning. These trends illustrate Americans' ambivalent embrace of single-parent families as a reality but not an ideal. [source] Understanding and altering the longitudinal course of marriageJOURNAL OF MARRIAGE AND FAMILY, Issue 4 2004Thomas N. Bradbury Weak and counterintuitive findings linking couples' interactional processes to marital outcomes have prompted new lines of research on how marriages change. Recent findings reviewed here highlight the value of (a) expanding conceptions of marital interaction by considering how social support and positive affect moderate the effects of problem-solving skills on changes in marital quality; (b) examining partners' individual strengths and vulnerabilities as antecedents of marital aggression and hostile interaction; and (c) recognizing the central role of chronic and acute circumstances in governing fluctuations in spouses' judgments of marital quality. We outline implications of these findings for ongoing efforts to prevent adverse marital outcomes, and for recent federal initiatives to strengthen healthy marriages among people with low incomes. [source] Immunohistochemical expression of RANKL, RANK, and OPG in human oral squamous cell carcinomaJOURNAL OF ORAL PATHOLOGY & MEDICINE, Issue 10 2009Fu-Hsiung Chuang Background:, The mechanism of oral squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) invading jawbone remains controversial. Interactions between receptor activator of NF-,B (RANK) and its ligand (RANKL) are required for osteoclastogenesis. The binding of RANK and RANKL induces differentiation of osteoclasts, leading to bony destruction. Osteoprotegerin (OPG), a decoy receptor for RANKL, also binds to RANKL by competing with RANK, and this could protect against osseous destruction. Materials and methods:, Immunoexpression of RANKL, RANK, and OPG in 25 cases of human buccal SCCs without bony invasion and 15 cases of gingival SCCs with mandibular bony invasion was investigated. Normal oral mucosa from five individuals without betel-quid chewing or cigarette smoking was used as a control. The scores are designated as percentage of positive staining × intensity of staining for each section. Results:, Strong cytoplasmic staining of RANKL proteins is detected in cancer cells of both buccal and gingival SCCs. The same protein is identified in cytoplasm of osteoclasts for all cases involving bony invasion. Strong cytoplasmic staining of RANKL is confined to basal layer for all normal mucosa. A similar staining pattern is noted for RANK protein in all buccal and gingival SCCs. An absence of staining of RANK protein is noted for all normal tissues. Weak to negative cytoplasmic stained OPG protein is present in all buccal and gingival SCCs, but is absent in all normal tissues. Conclusion:, These findings suggest the potential value of the RANK/RANKL/OPG pathway as biomarkers in human oral SCCs. [source] Weak and non-independent association between plasma TAFI antigen levels and the insulin resistance syndromeJOURNAL OF THROMBOSIS AND HAEMOSTASIS, Issue 4 2003H. Aubert Summary., Increased plasma thrombin-activatable fibrinolysis inhibitor (TAFI) levels were recently shown to be a part of the insulin resistance syndrome. We investigated the relationship between plasma TAFI antigen levels and insulin resistance markers and compared these results with those obtained for PAI-1 and fibrinogen which are known to be closely related to insulin resistance syndrome and fat mass, respectively. Eighty-nine obese females had 1.3-, 1.2-, and 3-fold higher circulating TAFI, fibrinogen and PAI-1, respectively, compared with 64 lean females. Univariate analysis showed that the significance level for association between TAFI or fibrinogen concentrations and insulin resistance markers was lower than the significance level for association between PAI-1 and insulin resistance markers. Nevertheless, TAFI, fibrinogen, and PAI-1 plasma levels were significantly associated to each other. In linear stepwise ascendant analysis, insulin resistance markers accounted for 50% of the interindividual variability of plasma PAI-1 and only for 10% of plasma TAFI and 13% of fibrinogen variability. The contribution of insulin resistance markers to plasma TAFI antigen levels variability disappeared when PAI-1 or fibrinogen was entered in the statistical model. TAFI mRNA was detected in the liver but not in adipose tissue and endothelial cells. No TAFI mRNA was detected in normal or atherosclerotic vessels either. These results suggest that elevated TAFI antigen levels found in obese subjects are not independently associated with the metabolic markers of the insulin resistance syndrome. Increased plasma TAFI antigen levels in obesity might reflect a specific pathway of regulation at the liver level. [source] Legal Weapons for the Weak?LAW & SOCIAL INQUIRY, Issue 4 2001Democratizing the Force of Words in an Uncivil Society First Amendment absolutists and proponents of speech regulation are locked in a normative stalemate over the best way to diminish racial "hate speech." I argue that this stalemate can be overcome by considering a more expansive theory of the "force of words" and the risks the right of free speech entails for individuals. Drawing on a cultural theory of symbolic power, I discuss the merits and limitations of two recent texts which redefine hate speech as discriminatory conduct. As an alternative to this strategy, I develop an analytical framework for describing the social risks the right of free speech entails, and propose juridical and deliberative-democratic remedies that might redistribute and attenuate these risks. Cultural and legal theory can find common ground in the analysis of the undemocratic effects of symbolic power. Such common ground can be achieved if legal theorists consider the force of words as a problem for democracy and if cultural theorists consider the resources provided by democratic institutions and practices for the redistribution of the social risks of speech [source] An asymptotic-induced one-dimensional model to describe fires in tunnels II: the stationary problemMATHEMATICAL METHODS IN THE APPLIED SCIENCES, Issue 15 2003Ingenuin Gasser Abstract We study stationary solutions of a one-dimensional low-Mach-number model derived in Gasser and Struckmeier (Math. Meth. Appl. Sci. 2002; 25(14): 1231) to describe fire events in long tunnels. The existence of solutions of the corresponding stationary model is shown to be equivalent to the existence of solutions of an algebraic problem. Multiple solutions are shown to be possible. The relation between different formulations of the problem is analysed. Weak and special distributional solutions are considered. Finally, numerical examples of realistic tunnel data with single and multiple solutions of the stationary problem are given. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Adaptationism for Human Cognition: Strong, Spurious or Weak?MIND & LANGUAGE, Issue 1 2005Scott Atran This strategy seems best when there is evidence of homology. Weak adaptationists don't assume that complex organic (including cognitive and linguistic) functioning necessarily or primarily represents task-specific adaptation. This approach to cognition resembles physicists' attempts to deductively explain the most facts with fewest hypotheses. For certain domain-specific competencies (folkbiology) strong adaptationism is useful but not necessary to research. With group-level belief systems (religion) strong adaptationism degenerates into spurious notions of social function and cultural selection. In other cases (language, especially universal grammar) weak adaptationism's ,minimalist' approach seems productive. [source] Introduction to "Moral Economies, State Spaces, and Categorical Violence"AMERICAN ANTHROPOLOGIST, Issue 3 2005K. SIVARAMAKRISHNAN Guest Editor By studying and writing about social revolutions and popular protest, James Scott has provided anthropologists and social theorists with a wide-ranging analytical vocabulary for speaking about peace and its inseparable twin,violence. His particular area of expertise has been the arts of repressive peace, and the artfulness of those who elude or defy such silencing technologies. The publication of The Moral Economy of the Peasant in 1976 initiated the first interactions between Scott's unique brand of political theory and anthropology in the shared topical space of peasant studies and the shared geographic space of Asian studies. The authors of this "In Focus" have assembled this special collection to celebrate and evaluate those and subsequent interactions covering a quarter of a century and spanning the publication of at least three other books: Weapons of the Weak (1985), Domination and the Arts of Resistance (1990), and Seeing Like a State (1998). [source] The Violent and the WeakAMERICAN JOURNAL OF ECONOMICS AND SOCIOLOGY, Issue 4 2006When Dictators Care about Social Contracts This article explores conditions under which dictators comply with a social contract. We assume society to consist of two groups: one with a comparative advantage in using violence, the other with a comparative advantage in producing private goods. Violence can be used to produce security or to exploit the weaker group. The opportunity for exploitation is limited: it reduces the incentives of the exploited to produce private goods and increases the chances of revolution. Social contracts consist of the exchange of security against a share of the private good, produced at a high effort level. The model allows the derivation of conditions for either compliance or exploitation to occur and provides a comparative static explanation for the transition from one form of government to the other. Thus, it contributes to positive constitutional economics, the research program that is interested in explaining the emergence and change of constitutions. [source] Tumor-associated glycoprotein 72 (TAG-72) expression in salivary gland neoplasia: an immunohistochemical study using the monoclonal antibody (MAb) CC49ORAL DISEASES, Issue 2 2000A. Epivatianos OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to investigate immunohistochemically the expression of tumor-associated glycoprotein 72 (TAG-72) using the monoclonal antibody (MAb) CC49 in salivary gland neoplasia and normal salivary glands in an attempt to determine the potential usefulness of MAb CC49 in diagnostic and therapetic applications. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Eighty-six specimens (21 benign tumors, 41 malignant, and 24 normal salivary glands), fixed in 10% formalin and embedded in paraffin, were retrieved from the files of the Department of Oral Medicine and Oral Pathology at the Dental School of Aristotle University, Thessaloniki, Greece, and were retrospectively studied with hematoxylin and eosin and with the streptavidin-biotin-complex method using the MAb CC49. RESULTS: Strong immunoreactivity for TAG-72 was observed in salivary duct carcinoma, adenocarcinoma, papillary cystadenocarcinoma, low-grade mucoepidermoid carcinoma, normal submandibular, sublingual, and minor salivary glandS. Weak or no immunoreactivity was found in adenoid cystic carcinoma, basal cell adenocarcinoma, polymorphous low-grade adenocarcinoma, and normal parotid gland. CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest the potential use of MAb CC49 in the differential diagnosis of some salivary gland neoplasms in which their histopathologic features overlap, and in the radiation immunolocalization and immunotherapy of malignant tumors that are localized in the parotid gland. [source] Complex quasiperiodic self-similar tilings: their parameterization, boundaries, complexity, growth and symmetryACTA CRYSTALLOGRAPHICA SECTION A, Issue 3 2010A. V. Shutov A class of quasiperiodic tilings of the complex plane is discussed. These tilings are based on ,-expansions corresponding to cubic irrationalities. There are three classes of tilings: Q3, Q4 and Q5. These classes consist of three, four and five pairwise similar prototiles, respectively. A simple algorithm for construction of these tilings is considered. This algorithm uses greedy expansions of natural numbers on some sequence. Weak and strong parameterizations for tilings are obtained. Layerwise growth, the complexity function and the structure of fractal boundaries of tilings are studied. The parameterization of vertices and boundaries of tilings, and also similarity transformations of tilings, are considered. [source] Classifying subgroups of patients with symptoms of acute coronary syndromes: A cluster analysisRESEARCH IN NURSING & HEALTH, Issue 5 2010Holli A. DeVon Abstract The purpose of the study was to identify subgroups of patients presenting with acute coronary syndromes based on symptom clusters. Two hundred fifty-six patients completed a symptom assessment in their hospital rooms. Latent class cluster analysis and analysis of variance were used to classify subgroups of patients according to selected clinical characteristics. Four subgroups were identified and labeled as Heavy Symptom Burden, Chest Pain Only, Sweating and Weak, and Short of Breath and Weak (model fit ,2 [130,891, n,=,256],=,867.5, p,=,1.00). The largest group of patients experienced classic symptoms of chest pain and shortness of breath but not sweating. Younger patients were more likely to cluster in the Heavy Symptom Burden group (F,=,5.08, p,=,.002). Interpretation of the clinical significance of these groupings requires further study. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Res Nurs Health 33:386,397, 2010 [source] Greedy, Cowardly, and Weak: Hollywood's Jewish StereotypesTHE JOURNAL OF POPULAR CULTURE, Issue 3 2010Joseph Dorinson No abstract is available for this article. [source] catena -Poly[[bis(,2 -4-methylbenzoato-,2O:O,)disilver(I)(Ag,Ag)]-,2 -di-2-pyridylamine-,2N2:N2,] and catena -poly[[(di-2-pyridylamine-,N2)(,2 -4-nitrobenzoato-,2O:O,)disilver(I)(Ag,Ag)]-,3 -4-nitrobenzoato-,3O:O,:O,]ACTA CRYSTALLOGRAPHICA SECTION C, Issue 1 2007Mamiko Odoko Both title compounds are polynuclear polymeric complexes with binuclear units. In the former compound, [Ag2(C8H7O2)2(C10H9N3)]n, the two AgI atoms display distorted square-planar coordinations. This compound contains a twofold axis and a crystallographic inversion centre, and di-2-pyridylamine (DPA) ligands crosslink adjacent binuclear units to form infinite polymeric chains. Crystal packing is stabilized by van der Waals interactions and partial ,,, stacking interactions between the chains. The latter compound, [Ag2(C7H4NO4)2(C10H9N3)]n, contains crystallographic inversion centres and the two AgI atoms exhibit two types of distorted square-pyramidal coordination. Ag,Ag argentophilic interactions and Ag,O crosslinking between adjacent binuclear units contribute to form infinite polymeric chains. Weak ,,, stacking interactions are observed in the polymer chain. Crystal packing is stabilized by C,H,O hydrogen bonds and by weak ,,, stacking interactions. [source] Measuring temporal variability in residential magnetic field exposuresBIOELECTROMAGNETICS, Issue 4 2001W.T. Kaune Abstract Considerable interest has developed during the past ten years regarding the hypothesis that living organisms may respond to temporal variability in ELF magnetic fields to which they are exposed. Consequently, methods to measure various aspects of temporal variability are of interest. In this paper, five measures of temporal variability were examined: Arithmetic means (Dmean) and rms values (Drms) of the first differences (i.e., absolute value of the difference between consecutive measurements) of magnetic field recordings; "standardized" forms of Drms, denoted RCMS, obtained by dividing Drms by the standard deviations of the magnetic field data; and mean (Fmean) and rms (Frms) values of fractional first differences. Theoretical investigations showed that Dmean and Drms are virtually unaffected by long-term systematic trends (changes) in exposure. These measures thus provide rather specific measures of short-term temporal variability. This was also true to a lesser extent for Fmean and Frms. In contrast, the RCMS metric was affected by both short-term and long-term exposure variabilities. The metrics were also investigated using a data set consisting of twice-repeated two-calendar-day recordings of bedroom magnetic fields and personal exposures of 203 women residing in the western portion of Washington State. The predominant source of short-term temporal variability in magnetic field exposures arose from the movement of subjects through spatially varying magnetic fields. Spearman correlations between TWA bedroom magnetic fields or TWA personal exposures and five measures of temporal variability were relatively low. Weak to moderate levels of correlation were observed between temporal variability measured during two different sessions separated in time by 3 or 6 months. We conclude that first difference and fractional difference metrics provide specific and fairly independent measures of short-term temporal variability. The RCMS metric does not provide an easily interpreted measure of short-term or long-term temporal variability. This last result raises uncertainties about the interpretation of published studies that use the RCMS metric. Bioelectromagnetics 22:232,245, 2001. © 2001 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] Bipolar disorder in older adults: a critical reviewBIPOLAR DISORDERS, Issue 5 2004Colin A Depp Objectives:, The goal of this article is to provide a comprehensive critical review of studies reporting the prevalence, features, age of onset, course, comorbidity, and neuropsychology of, as well as service utilization, in bipolar disorder in older age. Methods:, We searched the Medline, Pubmed, and PsycINFO databases using combinations of the keywords ,Bipolar', ,Manic/a', ,Manic Depression', ,Elderly', and ,Older'. We included English-language reports presenting quantitative data on the prevalence and/or any descriptive information about adults with bipolar disorder over age 50. Findings from similar studies were pooled when possible. A total of 61 studies met our broad criteria. Results:, Common methodological problems in the published studies included small sample sizes, retrospective chart review, lack of standardized measures, overemphasis on inpatients, and dearth of longitudinal data. Strong evidence indicates that bipolar disorder becomes less common with age, accounts for 8,10% of late life psychiatric admissions, is associated with neurologic factors in late-onset groups, and is a heterogeneous life-long illness. Weak or inconsistent evidence was found for a higher prevalence of mixed episodes in older adults, a lower treatment response, and the association with lower family history in late-onset groups. Minimal information is available on bipolar depression in late life. Conclusions:, Bipolar disorder in old age is a growing public health problem. Greater research on bipolar disorder in older people will assist in enhancing services to this group as well as inform research on bipolar disorder across the life span. [source] Chordoid Glioma: A Case Report and Molecular Characterization of Five CasesBRAIN PATHOLOGY, Issue 3 2009Craig Horbinski MD Abstract Chordoid gliomas are rare, slow-growing neoplasms of the anterior third ventricle. We reported a case of chordoid glioma in a 41-year-old man with obstructive hydrocephalus. Histologically, the tumor consisted of polygonal epithelioid cells admixed with elongated cells in a myxoid stroma. A prominent lymphoplasmacytic infiltrate was present. The tumor cells expressed glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP), epithelial membrane antigen (EMA), vimentin, CD31, CD34, epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) and S100 but were negative for pankeratin and E-cadherin. The percentage of Ki67 positive cells was approximately 3%. Weak p53 immunoreactivity was seen in less than 10% of the cells. Array comparative genomic hybridization performed on this case, as well as on four other archived cases, showed losses at several loci. Fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) confirmed consistent genetic alterations at 9p21 and 11q13. These are the fifth through ninth reported cases of chordoid gliomas with molecular characterization suggesting a distinct genetic origin from other gliomas. [source] Tetraalkylammonium Salts of Weakly Coordinating Aluminates: Ionic Liquids, Materials for Electrochemical Applications and Useful Compounds for Anion InvestigationCHEMISTRY - A EUROPEAN JOURNAL, Issue 8 2009Ines Raabe Dr. Abstract Weak and robust? Tetraalkylammonium salts of weakly coordinating fluorinated alkoxyaluminates are easily accessible, chemically robust materials that show interesting physico-chemical properties like low melting points, high electrochemical stability and electric conductivity in weakly polar solvents such as CH2Cl2, Ph-F and toluene. In this study, we investigated the tetraalkylammonium salts of the weakly coordinating fluorinated alkoxyaluminates [pftb], ([Al(O(C(CF3)3)4],), [hfip], ([Al(OC(H)(CF3)2)4],) and [hftb], ([Al(OC(CH3)(CF3)2)4],) in order to obtain information on their undisturbed spectral and structural properties, as well as to study their electrochemical behavior (i.e., conductivities in non-polar solvents and electrochemical windows). Several of the compounds qualify as ionic liquids with melting points as low as 42,°C for [NBu4]+[hfip],. Simple and almost quantitative metathesis reactions yielding these materials in high purity were developed. These [NR4]+ salts serve as model compounds for undisturbed anions and their vibrational spectra,together with simulated spectra based on quantum chemical DFT calculations,were used for the clear assignment of the anion bands. Besides, the ion volumes of the anions (Vion([pftb],)=0.736,nm3, Vion([hftb],)=0.658,nm3, Vion([hfip],)=0.577,nm3) and their decomposition pathways in the mass spectrometric measurements have been established. The salts are highly soluble in non-polar solvents (up to 1.09,mol,L,1 are possible for [NBu4]+[hftb], in CH2Cl2 and 0.41,mol,L,1 for [NBu4]+[hfip], in CHCl3) and show higher molar conductivities if compared to [NBu4]+[PF6],. The electrochemical windows of CH2Cl2, CH3CN and 1,2-F2C6H4 using the [NBu4]+ aluminate electrolytes are up to +0.5,V/,0.7,V larger than those using the standard [NBu4]+[PF6],. [source] Analysis of multiscale methods for stochastic differential equationsCOMMUNICATIONS ON PURE & APPLIED MATHEMATICS, Issue 11 2005E Weinan We analyze a class of numerical schemes proposed [26] for stochastic differential equations with multiple time scales. Both advective and diffusive time scales are considered. Weak as well as strong convergence theorems are proven. Most of our results are optimal. They in turn allow us to provide a thorough discussion on the efficiency as well as optimal strategy for the method. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. [source] | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||