The block numerical range of analytic operator functions

We introduce the block numerical range Wn(L) of an operator function L with respect to a decomposition H = H1⊕. . .⊕Hn of the underlying Hilbert space. Our main results include the spectral inclusion property and estimates of the norm of the resolvent for analytic L . They generalise, and improve, the corresponding results for the numerical range (which is the case n = 1) since the block numerical range is contained in, and may be much smaller than, the usual numerical range. We show that refinements of the decomposition entail inclusions between the corresponding block numerical ranges and that the block numerical range of the operator matrix function L contains those of its principal subminors. For the special case of operator polynomials, we investigate the boundedness of Wn(L) and we prove a Perron-Frobenius type result for the block numerical radius of monic operator polynomials with coefficients that are positive in Hilbert lattice sense.

Complementary passive hydrotherapy WATSU (WaterShiatsu) in the rehabilitation of a severely traumatized accident survivor – A prospective case report

Introduction: The implementation of complementary and alternative therapies into conventional treatment schemes is gaining popularity. However, their use is widely depending on patients’ drive. This case-report focuses on a patient’s experience of the integration of WATSU (WaterShiatsu) in rehabilitative care. Methods: Patient: A 52 year old woman survived a severe motorcycle-accident in which she sustained several fractures on the right side of her body, including ribs, pelvis, and femur. After discharge from stationary care, she independently added WATSU to her rehabilitative regimen. Treatment approach: WATSU is a passive form of hydrotherapy in warm water that aims at relaxation, pain relief, and a sense of secureness. In the reported case, an experienced WATSU-therapist who is also trained in physiotherapy and psychosomatics delivered weekly sessions of one hour duration. Measures used: Qualitative data were collected by patient’s diary. Also the therapist’s notes including The Patient Specific Functional Scale (PSFS) were considered. Results: The patient associated WATSU with trunk mobilization (followed by ameliorated breath), reconciliation with her body, and emotional discharge. She ascribed WATSU lasting effects on her body-image. The therapist employed WATSU for careful mobilization and to equalize awareness throughout the body. The PSFS displayed continuous improvement in all categories except usage of public transportation. Due to complications (elevated inflammation markers) only 6 of 8 scheduled sessions were administered. Conclusions: WATSU was experienced helpful in approaching conditions that are difficult to address by conventional physiotherapy. In early rehabilitation, additional medical/physiotherapeutic skills of contributing complementary therapists are advocated.

Changes in self-reported symptoms of depression and physical wellbeing in healthy individuals following a Taiji beginner course – Results of a randomized controlled trial

Introduction: Taiji is a mind-body practice being increasingly investigated for its therapeutic benefits in a broad range of mental and physical conditions. The aim of the present study was to investigate potential preventive effects of Taiji practice in healthy individuals with regard to their depressive symptomatology and physical wellbeing. Methods: A total of 70 healthy Taiji novices (mean age 35.5 years) were randomly assigned to a Taiji intervention group, i.e. Taiji beginner course (Yang-Style Taiji, 2 hours per week, 12 weeks) or a waiting control group. Self-reported symptoms of depression (CES-D) and physical wellbeing (FEW-16) were assessed at baseline, at the end of the intervention, as well as two months later. Results: Physical wellbeing in the Taiji group significantly increased when comparing baseline to follow up (FEW-16 sum scale T(27) = 3.94, p = 0.001, 95% CI 0.17 - 0.55). Pearson’s correlation coefficients displayed a strong negative relationship between self-reported symptoms of depression and physical wellbeing (p’s < 0.001, r‘s ≥ -.54). Conclusions: In this randomized controlled trial we found significant evidence that a Taiji beginner course of three months duration elicits positive effects with respect to physical wellbeing in healthy individuals, with improvements pronouncing over time. Physical wellbeing was shown to have a strong relationship with depressive symptoms. Based on these results, the consideration of Taiji as one therapeutic option in the development of multimodal approaches in the prevention of depression seems justifiable.

Prometheus on Mars: Nineteenth-Century Science Fiction and the Language of Romanticism

The development of astrophysics in the nineteenth century drew mankind closer to the planets. For the first time, it was possible to give serious scientific consideration to the possibilities for life on other planets. The greatest leap, however, was in recognizing what was not known, and acknowledging the limits of human intuition. ‘Ideas,’ wrote Agnes M. Clerke, ‘have all at once become plastic’. As the scientific community tested the limits of scientific understanding, it became the role of science-fiction writers to imagine the universe beyond these limits. This paper will examine the ways in which nineteenth-century science fiction used the inheritance of the poetic language of Romanticism to reinstate the centrality of human being in the universe. I will explore the ways in which writers such as Edward Bulwer-Lytton (The Coming Race, 1871) and W. S. Lach-Szyrma (Aleriel, 1883) extended the Byronic hero to envisage extra-terrestrial utopias. The Hegelian systematic mythology described by Byron and Shelley had reimagined paradise and redemption on earth. Through science fiction, this mythology extended out towards the stars. A discourse on the possibilities of extra-terrestrial life became a Romantic discourse on the possibilities of being. The Byronic hero could now find a home not by escaping the shackles of religion, but as an angelic citizen of Venus or Mars. In this way, the paper will explore how science-fiction writers appropriated the language of Romantic poetry to build a bridge between the framework of scientific knowledge and the extent of human imagination.

Clinical Significance of NOTCH1 and NOTCH2 Expression in Gastric Carcinomas: An Immunohistochemical Study.

BACKGROUND NOTCH signaling can exert oncogenic or tumor suppressive functions and can contribute to chemotherapy resistance in cancer. In this study, we aimed to clarify the clinicopathological significance and the prognostic and predictive value of NOTCH1 and NOTCH2 expression in gastric cancer (GC). METHODS NOTCH1 and NOTCH2 expression was determined immunohistochemically in 142 primarily resected GCs using tissue microarrays and in 84 pretherapeutic biopsies from patients treated by neoadjuvant chemotherapy. The results were correlated with survival, response to therapy, and clinico-pathological features. RESULTS Primarily resected patients with NOTCH1-negative tumors demonstrated worse survival. High NOTCH1 expression was associated with early-stage tumors and with significantly increased survival in this subgroup. Higher NOTCH2 expression was associated with early-stage and intestinal-type tumors and with better survival in the subgroup of intestinal-type tumors. In pretherapeutic biopsies, higher NOTCH1 and NOTCH2 expression was more frequent in non-responding patients, but these differences were statistically not significant. CONCLUSION Our findings suggested that, in particular, NOTCH1 expression indicated good prognosis in GC. The close relationship of high NOTCH1 and NOTCH2 expression with early tumor stages may indicate a tumor-suppressive role of NOTCH signaling in GC. The role of NOTCH1 and NOTCH2 in neoadjuvantly treated GC is limited.

Early growth characteristics and the risk of reduced lung function and asthma: A meta-analysis of 25,000 children

BACKGROUND Children born preterm or with a small size for gestational age are at increased risk for childhood asthma. OBJECTIVE We sought to assess the hypothesis that these associations are explained by reduced airway patency. METHODS We used individual participant data of 24,938 children from 24 birth cohorts to examine and meta-analyze the associations of gestational age, size for gestational age, and infant weight gain with childhood lung function and asthma (age range, 3.9-19.1 years). Second, we explored whether these lung function outcomes mediated the associations of early growth characteristics with childhood asthma. RESULTS Children born with a younger gestational age had a lower FEV1, FEV1/forced vital capacity (FVC) ratio, and forced expiratory volume after exhaling 75% of vital capacity (FEF75), whereas those born with a smaller size for gestational age at birth had a lower FEV1 but higher FEV1/FVC ratio (P < .05). Greater infant weight gain was associated with higher FEV1 but lower FEV1/FVC ratio and FEF75 in childhood (P < .05). All associations were present across the full range and independent of other early-life growth characteristics. Preterm birth, low birth weight, and greater infant weight gain were associated with an increased risk of childhood asthma (pooled odds ratio, 1.34 [95% CI, 1.15-1.57], 1.32 [95% CI, 1.07-1.62], and 1.27 [95% CI, 1.21-1.34], respectively). Mediation analyses suggested that FEV1, FEV1/FVC ratio, and FEF75 might explain 7% (95% CI, 2% to 10%) to 45% (95% CI, 15% to 81%) of the associations between early growth characteristics and asthma. CONCLUSIONS Younger gestational age, smaller size for gestational age, and greater infant weight gain were across the full ranges associated with childhood lung function. These associations explain the risk of childhood asthma to a substantial extent.

Sexual health in hematopoietic stem cell transplant recipients

Hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) plays a central role in patients with malignant and, increasingly, nonmalignant conditions. As the number of transplants increases and the survival rate improves, long-term complications are important to recognize and treat to maintain quality of life. Sexual dysfunction is a commonly described but relatively often underestimated complication after HSCT. Conditioning regimens, generalized or genital graft-versus-host disease, medications, and cardiovascular complications as well as psychosocial problems are known to contribute significantly to physical and psychological sexual dysfunction. Moreover, it is often a difficult topic for patients, their significant others, and health care providers to discuss. Early recognition and management of sexual dysfunction after HSCT can lead to improved quality of life and outcomes for patients and their partners. This review focuses on the risk factors for and treatment of sexual dysfunction after transplantation and provides guidance concerning how to approach and manage a patient with sexual dysfunction after HSCT.

CHARACTERIZATION AND COMPARISON OF SUBHUMAN PRIMATE AND HUMAN TYPE C RETROVIRAL GENE PRODUCTS

The viral specific precursor polyproteins of simian sarcoma/simian associated virus (SiSV/SiAV), baboon endogenous viruses (BaEV), and three human isolate retroviruses, have been analyzed by radioimmunoprecipitation and tryptic peptide mapping. Cells infected with the BaEV isolates are characterized by identical precursor polyproteins: gPr80-85('env), Pr70-71('gag), and Pr65-67('gag). By tryptic digest mapping, m7-BaEV and 455K-BaEV were shown to be highly related. By comparison, mapping studies showed that BILN-BaEV was less highly related to m7-BaEV than was 455K-BaEV. Chase-incubated cells infected with BaEV also contained a stable, p28-related polyprotein termed P72('gag). This polyprotein appeared to arise by posttranslational modification of Pr70-71('gag). Tryptic digest mapping of BaEV and HL23V precursor polyproteins suggested that the BaEV-like component of HL23V was more closely related to m7-BaEV than to 455K-BaEV or BILN-BaEV.^ The intracellular precursor polyproteins of SiSV(SiAV) and gibbon ape leukemia virus (GaLV) were compared to the intracellular proteins of the human retrovirus isolates, HL23V, HEL12V, and A1476V. Cells infected with SiSV(SiAV) were characterized by polyproteins Pr200('gag-pol), gPr80('env), Pr80('gag), pr60('gag), and Pr40('gag). We have found that the human isolates are identical to true SiAV with regard to the size and structure of their precursor polyproteins. Both gPr80('env) and Pr60('gag) of SiAV were identical by tryptic peptide mapping to the respective proteins from the three human retroviral isolates examined. We have also shown that these viruses differ significantly from each of the GaLV isolates studied. Since SiAV differs substantially from any known GaLV isolate, we feel that it is unlikely that SiAV is a subtype of GaLV which exists today in the gibbon gene pool. The experimental evidence suggests that SiAV may be an exogenous human retrovirus that was transmitted originally into the human gene pool in the distant past by cross-species infection with GaLV(,SF) or with the GaLV(,SF) progenitor virus. It is, therefore, quite possible that SiAV expression in the pet woolly monkey arose from a recent infection of that monkey with SiAV from humans.^

Na 1 Nachlass Max Horkheimer, 19 - Korrespondenzen u.a. mit Alfred Haas (p. I 10, 1-250)

20 Briefe zwischen Alfred Haas und Max Horkheimer, 1935-1941; 2 Briefe von Willy Haas an Max Horkheimer, 1938; 3 Briefe zwischen Virginia Haber und Max Horkheimer, 12.09.1945, August 1945; 7 Briefe zwischen Hugo Hahn und Max Horkheimer, 1942-1946; 1 Brief von Max Horkheimer an Charles G. Haines, 23.10.1940; 1 Brief von Max Horkheimer an Hall, 02.07.1939; 2 Briefe zwischen H. Duncan Hall und Max Horkheimer, 04.08.1939, 24.07.1939; 2 Briefe zwsichen Herbert Berkerath und Max Horkheimer, 10.10.1939, 09.10.1939; 23 Briefe zwischen Wolfgang Hallgarten und Max Horkheimer, 1937-1941; 1 Brief von Max Horkheimer an die American Philosophic Society Philadelphia, 15.04.1940; 2 Briefe zwischen Betty Drury und Max Horkheimer, 29.02.1940, 20.02.1940; 6 Briefe zwischen Nina Almond und Max Horkheimer, 1939; 1 Brief von Ruth E. Hollander an Max Horkheimer, 08.09.1938; 1 Brief von dem Brooklyn College an Wolfgang Hallgarten, 29.04.1938; 4 briefe zwischen dem Brooklyn College und Max Horkheimer, 18.05.1938, 17.05.1938; 2 Briefe zwischen Robert Maynard Hutchins und Max Horkheimer, 02.11.1937, 28.10.1937; 2 Briefe zwsichen Hardt und Max Horkheimer, 01.10.1943; 4 Briefe zwischen Gertrude Hardt und Max Horkheimer, 1947-1948; 4 Briefe zwischen den Harper & Brothers New York und Max Horkheimer, 24.10.1950, 1950; 1 Brief von Friedrich Pollock an Margot von Mendelssohn, 13.09.1950; 1 Brief von Hartoch an Max Horkheimer, 09.06.1937; 4 Briefe zwischen dem Harvard College Cambridge Massachusetts und Max Horkheimer, 1939-1940; 3 Briefe zwischen Felix Hase und Max Horkheimer, 1936, 13.03.1936; 1 Brief von Freda E. Hecht an Max Horkheimer, 01.03.1947; 1 Brief von Ernest S. Hediger an Max Horkheimer, 02.09.1940; 2 Briefe zwischen Agnes Heilbut und Max Horkheimer, 18.07.1938,; 7 Briefe zwischen Eduard Heimann und Max Horkheimer, 1936-1939; 1 Brief von Fritz Hein an Max Horkheimer, 14.06.1949; 2 Briefe zwischen Walter Heinemann und Max Horkheimer, 15.02.1945, 12.03.1945; 2 Briefe zwischen Philipp Heller und Max Horkheimer, 16.09.1944, 09.10.1944; 1 Brief von Max Horkheimer an Hellmann, 23.03.1939; 4 Briefe zwischen L. E. Hellmann und Max Horkheimer, 1939; 4 Briefe zwischen P. A. Hemerijk und Max Horkheimer, 1936-1937, 03.02.1936; 5 Briefe zwischen Carl G. Hempel und Max Horkheimer, 1939-1941; 1 Lebenslauf von Hans Henning; 1 Brief von Else Henschke an Max Horkheimer, 24.07.1940; 1 Briefe von Isi Hepner an Max Horkheimer, 23.01.1941; 1 Brief von Leo Löwenthal an Isi Hepner, 03.02.1941; 1 Brief von Gertrude E. Herman anMax Horkheimer, 10.12.1949; 1 Brief von Wilhelm G. Hertz an Max Horkheimer, 29.09.1938; 2 Briefe zwischen Wieland Herzfelde und der National City Bank of New York, 28.11.1939, 30.11.1939; 2 Briefe zwischen Karl Hess und Max Horkheimer, 14.08.1935, 25.10.1934; 4 Briefe zwischen Karl Heymann und Max Horkheimer, 1947, 1949; 19 Briefe zwischen Robert Hilb und Max Horkheimer, 1937-1941; 2 Briefe zwischen Joseph Rosenthal und Max Horkheimer, 12.11.1940, 25.10.1940; 2 Briefe zwischen Henry Church und Max Horkheimer, 14.12.1940, 18.12.1940; 1 Brief von Ellen Hilb an Max Horkheimer, 11.03.1938; 1 Brief von Emil Hilb an Max Horkheimer, 15.04.1939; 2 Briefe zwischen Yoshitaro Hirano und Max Horkheimer, 1936, 23.01.1936; 2 Briefe von Max Horkheimer an Hirsch, 1938; 1 Brief von Arnold Hirsch an Max Horkheimer, 14.07.1949; 4 Briefe zwischen Charles Hirsch und Max Horkheimer, 1937, 1938; 2 Briefe von Max Horkheimer an Ernst Hirsch, Oktober 1938; 1 Brief von Max Horkheimer an Julius Hirsch, 24.02.1942;

Na 1 Nachlass Max Horkheimer, 242 - Korrespondenzen u.a. mit Bibliothekaren der Deutschen Bibliothek in Rom (p. V 55, 1-303)

1 Brief an Max Horkheimer von der Oberin, Agnes Karll-Verband Ruth Elster, 1959; 1 Brief von Max Horkheimer an Fernanda Alves Diniz, 1959; 4 Briefe zwischen Journalist Walter Dirks, 1950-1955; 1 Interview mit Max Horkheimer, von Journalist, Tel-Aviv Dr. Dolan, 1952; 2 Briefe zwischen Albert Dragstedt und Max Horkheimer, 1959; 17 Briefe zwischen Ria Drevermann und Max Horkheimer, 1948-1957; 4 Briefe zwischen Architekt Wolf Drevermann und Max Horkheimer, 1950-1952; Professor Kurt Rheindorf: 1 Lebenslauf, 1 Manuskript, (1949); 2 Briefe zwischen Dr. Josef E. Drexel und Max Horkheimer, 1958; 3 Briefe zwischen Professor Tom F. Driver und Max Horkheimer, 1966; 12 Briefe zwischen dem DuMont Schuaberg Verlag und Max Horkheimer, 1961-1966; Deutsch-Amerikanischer Beratungs-Ausschuss für das Land Hessen: Drucksachen, Notizen, Protokolle an Max Horkheimer, 1952-1967; 1 Brief an Max Horkheimer von Hartmut Höschel, 1967; 14 Briefe zwischen Deutsche Bibliothek, Brüssel und Max Horkheimer, 1970-1971; 8 Briefe zwischen Deutsche Bibliothek Frankfurt am Main und Max Horkheimer, 1965-1967; 47 briefe zwischen Johannes Vandenrath, Deutsche Bibliothek Mailand und Max Horkheimer, 1968-1973; 51 Briefe zwischen Michael Freiherr Marschall von Bieberstein, Deutsche Bibliothek Rom, und Max Horkheimer, 1968-1973; Deutsche Bibliothek Rom: siehe Marschall von Bieberstein, Michael Freiherr;