CONFINEMENT IN RELATIVISTIC POTENTIAL MODELS

In relativistic potential models of quarkonia based on a Dirac-type of equation with a local potential there is a sharp distinction between a linear potential V which is vector-like and one which is scalar-like: There are normalizable solutions for a scalar-like V but not for a vector-like V. It is pointed out that if instead one uses an equation of the no-pair type, which is more natural from the viewpoint of field theory, this somewhat bizarre difference disappears.Comment: LaTeX, 4 page

The Effects of L(+), D(-), and DL-2-amino-4-phosphonobutyrate (APB) on Electroretinogram and Ganglopn Cell Activity in the Cat Retina

L(+)-, D(-)-, or DL-2-amino-4-phosphonobutyric acid (APB; 2.5- 16 μmol) were injected into the vitreous body of anesthetized adult cats. The retina was stimulated by diffuse square wave light flashes (10- 60 ms). The flash-induced electroretinogram (ERU) and responses of single retinal ganglion cells (RGC) were recorded simultaneously. Intravitreal injection of L(+)APB led to a decrease in the ERG b-wave amplitude and the unmasking of the a-wave. The magnitude and rate of the b-wave reduction were different for the two enantiomers. The threshold dose of D(-)APB was 6 times higher than for L(+)APB. L(+)APB (8.2 ± 1.6 μmol; n=7) decreased the b-wave with an average time constant r = 88.5 min, D(-)APB (13.2 ± 1.1 μmol; n=6) with r = 357.1 min, and DL-APB (8.35 ± 1.1 μmol; n=5) with r = 101.0 min. Concomitant with the reduction of the b-wave, L(+)APB (2.7μmol) inhibited both the spontaneous and light-evoked firing in ON-center ganglion cells. The threshold doses of L(+), D(-) and DL-APB for inhibition of spontaneous adivity and the light response in ON-center cells paralleled those in reducing the ERU h-wave. Low doses of L(+)APB or DL-APB that were effective in blockng ON-center cell activity caused only very small changes in the activity of OFF-center ganglion cells. However, high doses of L(+)APB (≥8.2μmol) or DL-APB (≥13.7 μmol) also decreased the spontaneous and light-evoked activity in OFF-center RGC and first shortened than prolonged the light-induced inhibition of OFF-center RGC.Whitehall Foundation (S93-24

Diskursanalyse zu den Deutungsmustern der Vereinten Nationen, des Bündnis 8. März und des Bündnis 14. März in Bezug auf das Sondertribunal für den Libanon

Dem Sondertribunal für den Libanon werden von verschiedenen Seiten verschiedene Bedeutungen zugeschrieben. Die vorliegende Arbeit analysiert und interpretiert Diskursstränge mittels einer Frameanalyse, die nicht nur (deduktiv) vorhandene Deutungsmuster offenlegt sondern auch (induktiv) Theorie überprüft. Zielgruppen sind die Vereinten Nationen, sowie die beiden größten libanesischen Fraktionen – die Bündnisse vom 8. und vom 14. März. Resolutionen und Briefwechsel einerseits, sowie die Zeitungen Al-Manar und Daily Star andererseits geben Aufschluss darüber welche Deutungsmuster den Diskurs dominieren. So kann die Analyse Aussagen zum Wandel des Souveränitätsbegriffs, zur Rolle der Begriffe Gerechtigkeit, Terrorismus, sowie zur Einschätzung der Rolle von Syrien, Israel und der USA treffen

Ultrasound imaging of the carpal tunnel during median nerve compression

Median nerve (MN) compression is a recognized component of carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS). In order to document compressive changes in the MN during hand activity, the carpal tunnel was imaged with neuromuscular ultrasound (NMUS). Ten patients with CTS and five normal controls underwent NMUS of the MN at rest and during dynamic stress testing (DST). DST maneuvers involve sustained isometric flexion of the distal phalanges of the first three digits. During DST in the CTS patients, NMUS demonstrated MN compression between the contracting thenar muscles ventrally and the taut flexor tendons dorsally. The mean MN diameter decreased nearly 40%, with focal narrowing in the mid-distal carpal canal. Normal controls demonstrated no MN compression and a tendency towards MN enlargement, with an average diameter increase of 17%. Observing the pathologic mechanism of MN injury during common prehensile hand movements could help better understand how to treat and prevent CTS

Factors affecting paternal adjustment during the transition to parenthood

An emerging body of research is identifying factors which put individuals at risk for experiencing a difficult adjustment during the transition to parenthood. The purpose of this study was to test a model for the prediction and identification of paternal risk factors. Forty seven couples expecting their first child were the subjects. Questionnaires which assessed paternal expectations regarding parenthood and prenatal marital satisfaction were administered in the third trimester of their wife\u27s pregnancy. Two months postpartum, a second questionnaire was administered which included measures of paternal violated expectations, paternal postpartum marital satisfaction, paternal stress, infant temperament, maternal marital satisfaction, maternal postpartum depression, the presence of external support and maternal change in employment status. Multiple regression analyses were conducted to identify which variables significantly predicted the presence of postpartum paternal stress. In general, two hypotheses were supported. Paternal postpartum stress was predicted by (1) higher quality of paternal marital satisfaction assessed prenatally, and (2) infants\u27 whose temperaments were paternally assessed as slowly adaptable, less persistent, and more distractable. Statistically significant bivariate correlations were also identified among the predictor variables. Paternal prenatal marital satisfaction was positively correlated with maternal and paternal postpartum marital satisfaction, and a higher incidence of paternal violated expectations. A higher quality of maternal marital satisfaction was correlated with a lower incidence of maternal postpartum depression. Various infant temperament subscales were correlated with other temperament subscales and with some of the predictor variables. The clinical and research implications associated the findings of this study were discussed

Lower bound for the ground state energy of the no-pair Hamiltonian

A lower bound for the ground state energy of a one particle relativistic Hamiltonian - sometimes called no-pair operator - is provided.Comment: 5 pages, 1 figure, 1 table, Latex2e (amssymb,amsmath,graphicx

Impact of Body Mass Index on Tumor Recurrence in Patients Undergoing Liver Resection for Perihilar Cholangiocarcinoma (pCCA)

Background: The association of body mass index (BMI) and long-term prognosis and outcome of patients with perihilar cholangiocarcinoma (pCCA) has not been well defined. The aim of this study was to evaluate clinicopathologic and oncologic outcomes with pCCA undergoing resection, according to their BMI. Methods: Patients undergoing liver resection in curative intention for pCCA at a tertiary German hepatobiliary (HPB) center were identified from a prospective database. Patients were classified as normal weight (BMI 18.5–24.9 kg/m2), overweight (BMI 25.0–29.9 kg/m2) and obese (>30 kg/m2) according to their BMI. Impact of clinical and histo-pathological characteristics on recurrence-free survival (RFS) were assessed using Cox proportional hazard regression analysis among patients of all BMI groups. Results: Among a total of 95 patients undergoing liver resection in curative intention for pCCA in the analytic cohort, 48 patients (50.5%) had normal weight, 33 (34.7%) were overweight and 14 patients (14.7%) were obese. After a median follow-up of 4.3 ± 2.9 years, recurrence was observed in totally 53 patients (56%). The cumulative recurrence probability was higher in obese and overweight patients than normal weight patients (5-year recurrence rate: obese: 82% versus overweight: 81% versus normal weight: 58% at 5 years; p = 0.02). Totally, 1-, 3-, 5- and 10-year recurrence-free survival rates were 68.5%, 44.6%, 28.9% and 13%, respectively. On multivariable analysis, increased BMI (HR 1.08, 95% CI: 1.01–1.16; p = 0.021), poor/moderate tumor differentiation (HR 2.49, 95% CI: 1.2–5.2; p = 0.014), positive lymph node status (HR 2.01, 95% CI: 1.11–3.65; p = 0.021), positive resection margins (HR 1.89, 95% CI:1.02–3.4; p = 0.019) and positive perineural invasion (HR 2.92, 95% CI: 1.02–8.3; p = 0.045) were independent prognostic risk factors for inferior RFS. Conclusion: Our study shows that a high BMI is significantly associated with an increased risk of recurrence after liver resection in curative intention for pCCA. This factor should be considered in future studies to better predict patient’s individual prognosis and outcome based on their BMI