We develop a density functional theory for infinitely long flexible and semiflexible polymers, as an appropriate simplification of the corresponding treatment of finite chains. We demonstrate that very long chains sometimes are required to reproduce even qualitatively correct limiting behaviors.

Germline mutations in BRCA1 and BRCA2 confer high risks of breast and ovarian cancer, but the average magnitude of these risks is uncertain and may depend on the context. Estimates based on multiple-case families may be enriched for mutations of higher risk and/or other familial risk factors, whereas risk estimates from studies based on cases unselected for family history have been imprecise. We p

Musculoskelecal conditions are a major cause of morbidity and evidence-based strategies - such as the European Action Towards Better Musculoskeletal Health - have been developed to reduce their incidence and impact on individuals and on society. This issue is based around that report. These strategies are inclusive of all major musculoskeletal conditions with recommendations for prevention and man

Radiative lifetimes of excited states of Zn I (3d(10)4sns S-3(1), n = 6-8; 3d(10) 4snd D-3, n = 4-7) and Zn II (3d(10) 4p P-2(1/2.3/2), 4d D-2(3/2,5/2), 3d(10)5S S-2(1/2)) have been measured using a time-resolved laser-induced fluorescence technique. Single- or two-step excitation of atoms and ions produced by laser ablation was employed. The experimental radiative lifetimes have been compared wit

This study examines the effect of foreign (Anglo-American) board membership on corporate performance measured in terms of firm value (Tobin's Q). Using a sample of firms with headquarters in Norway or Sweden the study indicates a significantly higher value for firms that have outsider Anglo-American board member(s), after a variety of firm-specific and corporate governance related factors have bee

The frequencies of the hereditary hemochromatosis gene (HFE) mutations C282Y and H63D vary between different populations. There are a limited number of reports regarding the frequency of these mutations in populations of southeastern Europe. Two hundred and sixty-four adult individuals of Greek origin were examined for the C282Y and H63D mutations to determine the allele and genotype frequencies.

Purpose: Single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) of striatal dopamine transporters (DAT) has been used to demonstrate presynaptic dopaminergic dysfunction and to monitor the progression of Parkinson's disease. In parkinsonian patients who were implanted with embryonic mesencephalic tissue in the striatum, positron emission tomography (PET) has shown an increase in striatal [F-18]dopa up

The dose-response to inhalation of nitric oxide (NO) after coronary artery bypass surgery was studied in seven patients with normal preoperative lung function and chest radiograms. During postoperative controlled ventilation with PEEP 5 and 10 cmH2O, the patients inhaled NO in concentrations of 2 to 25 ppm, in random order, for 6 to 10 minutes. Hemodynamic and oximetric data were analyzed before,

A simple calorimetric method for determination of amylose content in starch is reported. Starches were heated in the presence of two common surfactants, viz., sodium dodecyl sulphate (SDS) and cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB), and the enthalpies of melting of the amylose-surfactant complexes were determined using Modulated Differential Scanning Calorimetry (MDSC). A large number of native sta

Intumescent coatings are increasingly used as a method of passive fire protection on steel constructions. By forming a carbon network and releasing a blowing agent, the thin intumescent film swells 100-fold at elevated temperatures. The highly insulating foam effectively prevents the load bearing steel from reaching its critical temperature at which it looses its mechanical properties and collapse

Aims: To investigate the test-retest reliability of Danish Prostatic Symptom Score (DAN-PSS-1) questionnaire in a sample of stroke patients. Methods: A prospective study design was used in which the stroke patients were invited to complete a postal self-administrated DAN-PSS-1 questionnaire twice. The questionnaire consists of 12 questions related to lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS). The partic

Plants have evolved under the influence of UV-B radiation and have acquired systems for monitoring it and investing appropriate resources for protection against it, i.e., filters, quenchers of radicals and reactive oxygen species, and repair systems. An hypothesis for how plants monitor radiation has been presented.

Reactions of [H2Os3(CO)10] with the substituted diynes R-C2-C2-R' (1, R = Ph, R' = CH2NHPh; 2, R = Ph, R' = CH2NHCH2Ph; 3, R = R' = CH2NHPh) afford the clusters [HOs3(CO)10(L)] (L = {-1:2-PhCH2C(H)=C-C(H)=C-NPh} (4), {-1:2-PhCH2C(H)=C-C(H)=C-NCH2Ph} (5), and {-1:1-CH3CC=C-C(H)=C(H)-NPh} (6), which have been characterized by single-crystal X-ray diffraction analyses as well as by various spectrosco

Degeneration of the locus ceruleus (LC) and decreased cortical levels of norepinephrine are common findings in Alzheimer's disease (AD), but their significance is unknown. Because the noradrenergic system is accessible to pharmacological intervention, the role of LC degeneration and noradrenergic dysfunction in the pathogenesis and clinical manifestations of AD needs clarification. Hypothetically,

It is well-known that Toeplitz operators on the Hardy space of the unit disc are characterized by the equality , where S1 is the Hardy shift operator. In this paper we give a generalized equality of this type which characterizes Toeplitz operators with harmonic symbols in a class of standard weighted Bergman spaces of the unit disc containing the Hardy space and the unweighted Bergman space. The o

The first Scandinavian protocol for Ewing's sarcoma, SSG IV, resulted in a local control rate of 74% and 5-year metastasis-free survival (MFS) of 43%. The second protocol, SSG IX, was started in order to improve upon these results. It featured four chemotherapy cycles, each consisting of two courses of VAI (vincristine, doxorubicin, ifosfamide) alternating with one course of PAI (cisplatin, doxoru