16,302 research outputs found
Quality of life of patients treated surgically for head and neck cancer
The quality of survival of 48 patients treated surgically for head and neck cancer was assessed using a problem-orientated self-administered questionnaire. The questionnaire was based on the European Organization for Research into the Treatment of Cancer (EORTC) core questionnaire to which a specific head and neck module was added. The following domains were studied: pain, fatigue, physical symptoms (gastrointestinal and 'other'), functional activity, psychological symptoms, overall physical condition and overall quality of life. For the analysis, five groups of patients were considered: laryngectomy (n = 15), pharyngolaryngoesophagectomy (n = 5), craniofacial procedure (n = 11), 'other operations' (n = 9) and patients with disease recurrence (n = 8). Each group identified different problem areas. Laryngectomees and 'other operation' patients reported relatively few problems, whereas patients with disease recurrence described difficulties in all of the domains examined. Symptoms of fatigue were common. Information collected in this way may facilitate improved rehabilitation and thus better quality of survival
Review of literature relating to the modeling of soil temperatures based on meteorological factors
Abstracts of 72 papers, journal articles, and other publications are presented. The applicabilities of each is assessed for use in improving winterkill parameters for a winter wheat model
Magnetic activity, differential rotation and dynamo action in the pulsating F9IV star KIC 5955122
We present photometric spot modeling of the nearly four-year long light-curve
of the Kepler target KIC 5955122 in terms of persisting dark circular surface
features. With a Bayesian technique, we produced a plausible surface map that
shows dozens of small spots. After some artifacts are removed, the residuals
are at \,mmag. The shortest rotational period found is days. The equator-to-pole extrapolated differential rotation is rad/d. The spots are roughly half as bright as the unperturbed stellar
photosphere. Spot latitudes are restricted to the zone latitude.
There is no indication for any near-pole spots. In addition, the p-mode
pulsations enabled us to determine the evolutionary status of the star, the
extension of the convective zone, and its radius and mass. We discuss the
possibility that the clear signature of active regions in the light curve of
the F9IV star KIC 5955122 is produced by a flux-transport dynamo action at the
base of the convection zone. In particular, we argue that this star has evolved
from an active to a quiet status during the Q0--Q16 period of observation, and
we predict, according to our dynamo model, that the characteristic activity
cycle is of the order of the solar one.Comment: 9 pages, 12 figures, to be published on A&
Comparison of LOQC C-sign gates with ancilla inefficiency and an improvement to functionality under these conditions
We compare three proposals for non-deterministic C-sign gates implemented
using linear optics and conditional measurements with non-ideal ancilla mode
production and detection. The simplified KLM gate [Ralph et al, Phys.Rev.A {\bf
65}, 012314 (2001)] appears to be the most resilient under these conditions. We
also find that the operation of this gate can be improved by adjusting the
beamsplitter ratios to compensate to some extent for the effects of the
imperfect ancilla.Comment: to appear in PR
The LOFT (Large Observatory for X-ray Timing) background simulations
The Large Observatory For X-ray Timing (LOFT) is an innovative medium-class
mission selected for an assessment phase in the framework of the ESA M3 Cosmic
Vision call. LOFT is intended to answer fundamental questions about the
behaviour of matter in the very strong gravitational and magnetic fields around
compact objects. With an effective area of ~10 m^2 LOFT will be able to measure
very fast variability in the X-ray fluxes and spectra. A good knowledge of the
in-orbit background environment is essential to assess the scientific
performance of the mission and to optimize the instrument design. The two main
contributions to the background are cosmic diffuse X-rays and high energy
cosmic rays; also, albedo emission from the Earth is significant. These
contributions to the background for both the Large Area Detector and the Wide
Field Monitor are discussed, on the basis of extensive Geant-4 simulations of a
simplified instrumental mass model.Comment: Proceedings of SPIE, Vol. 8443, Paper No. 8443-209, 201
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Responding to Interactive Troubles – Implications for School Culture
Responding to interactive troubles in schools can create processes of exclusion and marginalization. Certain basic assumptions can become knitted into school culture in ways that give rise to specific exclusionary practices. However, it does not have to be this way. Inclusionary ways of responding to interactive troubles can also be produced, given a school culture that nurtures relational ways of engagement. This article presents such relational practices and argues thoroughly for their use
Star-Like Micelles with Star-Like Interactions: A quantitative Evaluation of Structure Factor and Phase Diagram
PEP-PEO block copolymer micelles offer the possibility to investigate phase
behaviour and interactions of star polymers (ultra-soft colloids). A star-like
architecture is achieved by an extremely asymmetric block ratio (1:20).
Micellar functionality f can be smoothly varied by changing solvent composition
(interfacial tension). Structure factors obtained by SANS can be quantitatively
described in terms of an effective potential developed for star polymers. The
experimental phase diagram reproduces to a high level of accuracy the predicted
liquid/solid transition. Whereas for intermediate f a bcc phase is observed,
for high f the formation of a fcc phase is preempted by glass formation.Comment: 5 pages, 4 figures, PRL in pres
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Blimp-1-dependent and -independent natural antibody production by B-1 and B-1-derived plasma cells.
Natural antibodies contribute to tissue homeostasis and protect against infections. They are secreted constitutively without external antigenic stimulation. The differentiation state and regulatory pathways that enable continuous natural antibody production by B-1 cells, the main cellular source in mice, remain incompletely understood. Here we demonstrate that natural IgM-secreting B-1 cells in the spleen and bone marrow are heterogeneous, consisting of (a) terminally differentiated B-1-derived plasma cells expressing the transcriptional regulator of differentiation, Blimp-1, (b) Blimp-1+, and (c) Blimp-1neg phenotypic B-1 cells. Blimp-1neg IgM-secreting B-1 cells are not simply intermediates of cellular differentiation. Instead, they secrete similar amounts of IgM in wild-type and Blimp-1-deficient (PRDM-1ΔEx1A) mice. Blimp-1neg B-1 cells are also a major source of IgG3. Consequently, deletion of Blimp-1 changes neither serum IgG3 levels nor the amount of IgG3 secreted per cell. Thus, the pool of natural antibody-secreting B-1 cells is heterogeneous and contains a distinct subset of cells that do not use Blimp-1 for initiation or maximal antibody secretion
Scattering of first and second sound waves by quantum vorticity in superfluid Helium
We study the scattering of first and second sound waves by quantum vorticity
in superfluid Helium using two-fluid hydrodynamics. The vorticity of the
superfluid component and the sound interact because of the nonlinear character
of these equations. Explicit expressions for the scattered pressure and
temperature are worked out in a first Born approximation, and care is exercised
in delimiting the range of validity of the assumptions needed for this
approximation to hold. An incident second sound wave will partly convert into
first sound, and an incident first sound wave will partly convert into second
sound. General considerations show that most incident first sound converts into
second sound, but not the other way around. These considerations are validated
using a vortex dipole as an explicitely worked out example.Comment: 24 pages, Latex, to appear in Journal of Low Temperature Physic
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