A variational theorem for creep with applications to plates and columns

A variational theorem is presented for a body undergoing creep. Solutions to problems of the creep behavior of plates, columns, beams, and shells can be obtained by means of the direct methods of the calculus of variations in conjunction with the stated theorem. The application of the theorem is illustrated for plates and columns by the solution of two sample problems

Crystallographic disorder and electron scattering on structural two-level systems in ZrAs1.4Se0.5

Single crystals of ZrAs1.4Se0.5 (PbFCl type structure) were grown by chemical vapour transport. While their thermodynamic and transport properties are typical for ordinary metals, the electrical resistivity exhibits a shallow minimum at low temperatures. Application of strong magnetic fields does not influence this anomaly. The minimum of the resistivity in ZrAs1.4Se0.5 apparently originates from interaction between the conduction electrons and structural two-level systems. Significant disorder in the As-Se substructure is inferred from X-ray diffraction and electron microprobe studies

Nebraska Intellectual Freedom Manual

Much has changed in libraries and society since the publication of the 2004 revision of the Nebraska Library Association Intellectual Freedom Manual. The consensus of the current members of the Nebraska Library Association round table on Intellectual Freedom (NLA IF) was not to just revise the former manual, but to create an entirely new edition. In doing so, the authors have addressed a number of new issues. The intention was to keep it relatively brief but still useful. Readers should be able to read sections independent of one another for quick reference on topics of interest. For readers of the electronic version, there are many hyperlinks included. Though this is a new edition, the introduction to the 2004 revision still applies: As librarians, we are all concerned with the concept of intellectual freedom. It is our professional obligation to provide varied forms of information that meet the varied interests and needs of our community members. It is also our professional obligation to oppose the efforts of those who would attempt to monitor, challenge, change, or remove the materials of choice in our society. This handbook provides access to relevant resources for all librarians who may face a censorship challenge. Included are interpretations from the Library Bill of Rights, policies and procedures, examples of useful forms, and a list of library related organizations that may be contacted for further information. For additional information, readers are encouraged to consult the latest edition of the American Library Association (ALA) Intellectual Freedom Manual, as well as manuals from other U.S. states\u27 library organizations. A companion to the ALA manual is available online at http://www.ifmanual.org/ . For current information about intellectual freedom issues in Nebraska, visit the NLA IF website.https://digitalcommons.unl.edu/zeabook/1044/thumbnail.jp

Nebraska Intellectual Freedom Manual

Much has changed in libraries and society since the publication of the 2004 revision of the Nebraska Library Association Intellectual Freedom Manual. The consensus of the current members of the Nebraska Library Association round table on Intellectual Freedom (NLA IF) was not to just revise the former manual, but to create an entirely new edition. In doing so, the authors have addressed a number of new issues. The intention was to keep it relatively brief but still useful. Readers should be able to read sections independent of one another for quick reference on topics of interest. For readers of the electronic version, there are many hyperlinks included. Though this is a new edition, the introduction to the 2004 revision still applies: As librarians, we are all concerned with the concept of intellectual freedom. It is our professional obligation to provide varied forms of information that meet the varied interests and needs of our community members. It is also our professional obligation to oppose the efforts of those who would attempt to monitor, challenge, change, or remove the materials of choice in our society. This handbook provides access to relevant resources for all librarians who may face a censorship challenge. Included are interpretations from the Library Bill of Rights, policies and procedures, examples of useful forms, and a list of library related organizations that may be contacted for further information. For additional information, readers are encouraged to consult the latest edition of the American Library Association (ALA) Intellectual Freedom Manual, as well as manuals from other U.S. states\u27 library organizations. A companion to the ALA manual is available online at http://www.ifmanual.org/ . For current information about intellectual freedom issues in Nebraska, visit the NLA IF website.https://digitalcommons.unl.edu/zeabook/1044/thumbnail.jp

The risk for breast cancer is not evidently increased in women with hyperprolactinemia

The question has been raised whether hyperprolactinemia in humans is associated with an excess risk for breast cancer. We aimed to assess the risk of breast cancer in a previously defined large cohort of patients treated for idiopathic hyperprolactinemia or prolactinomas. Based on the pattern of drug prescriptions we identified 11,314 subjects in the PHARMO network with at least one dispensing of dopamine agonists between 1996 and 2006. Of these, 1,607 subjects were considered to have dopamine agonist—treated hyperprolactinemia based on the prescribing pattern. For the present analysis, we included only women (n = 1,342). Patients with breast cancer were identified by hospital discharge codes. Data on breast cancer incidence in the Netherlands were derived from the Dutch cancer registry. Standardized mortality ratio (SMR) was the measure of outcome to assess the association between hyperprolactinemia and breast cancer. The 1,342 patients accounted for a total of 6,576 person years. Eight patients with breast cancer during follow-up were identified. Indirect standardization with incidence proportions from the general Dutch population revealed a 7.47 expected cases. The calculated SMR for breast cancer risk in patients treated hyperprolactinemia was 1.07 (95% confidence interval 0.50–2.03). In conclusion, there is no clear evidence for increased breast cancer risk in female patients treated for either idiopathic hyperprolactinemia or prolactinomas. The uncertainty about the exact risk that is due to the relatively low number of breast cancer cases, should be overcome by pooling results in a future meta-analysis

Guidelines for acromegaly management: An update

"Objective: The Acromegaly Consensus Group reconvened in November 2007 to update guidelines for acromegaly management. Participants: The meeting participants comprised 68 pituitary specialists, including neurosurgeons and endocrinologists with extensive experience treating patients with acromegaly. Evidence/Consensus Process: Goals of treatment and the appropriate imaging and biochemical and clinical monitoring of patients with acromegaly were enunciated, based on the available published evidence. Conclusions: The group developed a consensus on the approach to managing acromegaly including appropriate roles for neurosurgery, medical therapy, and radiation therapy in the management of these patients.

Effects of plasma magnesium and prolactin on quantitative ultrasound measurements of heel bone among schizophrenic patients

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Osteoporosis is a bone disease that can reduce both bone mass and bone strength. It can cause serious fractures of bones, along with causing significant and even devastating physical, psychological and financial consequences for patients and their family members. Many reports have revealed that the prevalence of decreased bone density is higher in schizophrenic patients than in the non-psychological diseased population. The previous report of our group revealed that chronic schizophrenia patients have poorer BUA levels since they were young as compared to the general community population. Hyperprolactinemia and antipsychotics are reported to be among the risk factors for osteoporosis in chronic schizophrenic patients.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>93 schizophrenic patients with severely poor adjusted BUA values and 93 age and gender matched patients with normal adjusted BUA values from a previous survey study were selected. Data were collected via questionnaires and via reviews of antipsychotic medications. Blood samples were drawn, and serum levels of prolactin, estradiol, testosterone, magnesium, calcium, phosphate, osteocalcin, Cross-linked N-teleopeptide of type I collagen (NTX), thyroid hormone and parathyroid hormone were checked. The association between BUA levels and serum levels of the above items, along with the type of received antipsychotic medication, was evaluated.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>There was no significant association found between reduced BUA levels and serum prolactin, calcium, phosphate, osteocalcin, NTX, thyroid stimulating hormone and parathyroid hormone levels. There was also no association between BUA levels and types of currently received antipsychotics. There was no association between BUA levels and menstruation condition in female patients. Hypermagnesemia had a borderline association with classical and combined (classical and atypical) antipsychotic medications in male patients. Nevertheless, hypermagnesemia is a significant protective factor of reduced BUA levels in female patients. Hyperprolactinemia had a significant association with classical and combined antipsychotic medications in female patients. Hyperprolactinemia, however, provides a protective effect on reduced BUA levels in male patients. There was no significant association found between serum prolactin level and the type of antipsychotic medication received.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>The results of this study are in contrast with literature that has reported an association between bone mass and serum prolactin levels, serum magnesium levels and type of received antipsychotics. Further study to investigate the pathophysiological process and the association between bone mass and serum prolactin level, serum magnesium level and specific antipsychotics is necessary.</p

Pituitary surgery for small prolactinomas as an alternative to treatment with dopamine agonists

Despite the fact that consensus guidelines recommend long-term dopamine agonist (DA) therapy as a first-line approach to the treatment of small prolactinoma, some patients continue to prefer a primary surgical approach. Concerns over potential adverse effects of long-term medical therapy and/or the desire to become pregnant and avoid long-term medication are often mentioned as reasons to pursue surgical removal. In this retrospective study, 34 consecutive patients (30 female, 4 male) preferably underwent primary pituitary surgery without prior DA treatment for small prolactinomas (microprolactinoma 1–10 mm, macroprolactinoma 11–20 mm) at the Department of Neurosurgery, University of Bern, Switzerland. At the time of diagnosis, 31 of 34 patients (91%) presented with symptoms. Patients with microprolactinomas had significantly lower preoperative prolactin (PRL) levels compared to patients with macroprolactinomas (median 143 μg/l vs. 340 μg/l). Ninety percent of symptomatic patients experienced significant improvement of their signs and symptoms upon surgery. The postoperative PRL levels (median 3.45 μg/l) returned to normal in 94% of patients with small prolactinomas. There was no mortality and no major morbidities. One patient suffered from hypogonadotropic hypogonadism after surgery despite postoperative normal PRL levels. Long-term remission was achieved in 22 of 24 patients (91%) with microprolactinomas, and in 8 of 10 patients (80%) with macroprolactinomas after a median follow-up period of 33.5 months. Patients with small prolactinomas can safely consider pituitary surgery in a specialized centre with good chance of long-term remission as an alternative to long-term DA therapy

Bone mass in schizophrenia and normal populations across different decades of life

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Chronic schizophrenic patients have been reported as having higher osteoporosis prevalence. Survey the bone mass among schizophrenic patients and compare with that of the local community population and reported data of the same country to figure out the distribution of bone mass among schizophrenic patients.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>965 schizophrenic patients aged 20 years and over in Yuli Veterans Hospital and 405 members aged 20 and over of the community living in the same town as the institute received bone mass examination by a heel qualitative ultrasound (QUS) device. Bone mass distribution was stratified to analyzed and compared with community population.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Schizophrenic patients have lower bone mass while they are young. But aging effect on bone mass cannot be seen. Accelerated bone mass loss during menopausal transition was not observed in the female schizophrenic patients as in the subjects of the community female population.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Schizophrenic patients have lower bone mass than community population since they are young. Further study to investigate the pathophysiological process is necessary to delay or avoid the lower bone mass in schizophrenia patients.</p