Testing Gravity Theories In The Radiative Regime Using Pulsar Timing Arrays

General relativity has predicted the existence of gravitational waves (GW), which are waves of the distortions of space-time with two degrees of polarization and the propagation speed of light. Alternative theories predict more polarizations, up to a maximum of six, and possible deviation of propagation speed from the light speed. The present paper reviews recent proposals to test the gravity theories in the radiation regime by observing GWs using pulsar timing arrays.Comment: 4 pages, 2 figures, PULSAR CONFERENCE 2010, Chia Laguna Resort, Sardinia, Italy, 10-15 October, 201

Semi-Competing Risks on A Trivariate Weibull Survival Model

A setting of a trivairate survival function using semi-competing risks concept is proposed. The Stanford Heart Transplant data is reanalyzed using a trivariate Weibull distribution model with the proposed survival function

Non-Commutative Instantons and the Information Metric

By using the so-called Information Metric on the moduli space of an anti-selfdual (ASD) Instanton in a Self-Dual (SD) Non-Commutative background, we investigate the geometry of moduli space. The metric is evaluated perturbatively in non-commutativity parameter and we show that by putting a cut-off in the location of instanton in the definition of Information Metric we can recover the five dimensional space time in the presence of a B-field. This result shows that the non-commutative YM-Instanton Moduli corresponds to D-Instanton Moduli in the gravity side where the radial and transverse location of D-Instanton are corresponding to YM-Instanton size and location, respectively. The match is shown in the first order of non-commutativity parameter.Comment: latex. v2) 14 pages, keywords and references added, to appear in MPL

Caring attributes and preparedness to care: effects of a pre-enrolled nursing certificate programme in Singapore

Background: Caring is a highly complex and abstract concept, and nurturing a caring attribute among individuals for a nursing career is believed to be best introduced at the start of student journey in preparatory courses specifically designed for nursing. However, because of the need to professionalise nursing, pre-enrolled nursing programmes have been discontinued and replaced by generic healthcare programmes in many parts of the world. Aim: This study aims to evaluate the impact of pre-enrolled certificate nursing education on students’ caring attributes and their preparedness to care. Methodology: A mixed methods approach using unstructured questions and the Caring Behaviour Inventory was employed to determine student caring attributes and their preparedness to care. The participants were final year pre-enrolled nursing students in Singapore. Findings: Students demonstrated attributes of caring based on an average CBI score of 4.55 (SD 0.32). Expressions of professional nurse caring were explicit in students’ entire learning journey and these took various forms of approach embedded in both curricular and extracurricular activites. The study also found that nurturing caring attributes was associated with a high expectation of student social behaviour and closely linked to the increasingly good reputation of nursing as a profession in that region. Conclusions: This study indicates the high potential value of pre-enrolled nursing education for developing the caring attributes of individuals. A nursing-oriented programme title and its high status associated with nursing were critical elements for nurturing the caring attributes. The implications for developments in nurse education and research are discussed