Effective Hamiltonian for non-minimally coupled scalar fields

Performing a relativistic approximation as the generalization to a curved spacetime of the flat space Klein-Gordon equation, an effective Hamiltonian which includes non-minimial coupling between gravity and scalar field and also quartic self-interaction of scalar field term is obtained.Comment: 4 page

Relationships Among Some Biochemical Parameters, Trace Elements and Lipid Peroxidation Levels in Women With Gestational Diabetes Mellitus

Aim:The aim of the present study was to determine levels of copper (Cu), zinc (Zn), iron (Fe), malondialdehyde and some biochemical parameters in women with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) compared with healthy pregnant women, and to evaluate the relationships among these parameters.Materials and Methods:The patients consisted of 56 pregnant with GDM. The control group consisted of 60 healthy pregnant women. Plasma malondialdehyde, blood glucose, insulin, glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c), total cholesterol, triacylglycerol and LDL-cholesterol were measured by biochemical methods. The concentrations of serum Fe, Cu and Zn were determined by flame atomic absorption spectrophotometer.Results:The levels of blood glucose, insulin, HOMA-IR, glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c), total cholesterol, triacylglycerol and LDL-cholesterol, levels of plasma malondialdehyde, levels of serum Fe and Cu in women with GDM group were found higher than those in healthy pregnant women. However, levels of serum Zn were significantly lower in GDM pregnants than those in the healthy pregnant women. There were significant negative correlations between LDL-cholesterol and Cu levels of GDM subjects. Additionally, there were significant negative correlation between LDL-cholesterol and plasma malondialdehyde levels. However, there were significant positive correlations between serum Fe and plasma malondialdehyde levels.Conclusion:Our findings emphasize the significant deficiencies of Zn levels and the significant elevation of malondialdehyde, hyperglycemia and hyperlipidemia in women with GDM. Therefore, supplementation with Zn element involved in the antioxidative system may increase antioxidative enzyme activities, and consequently, an improvement in fetal and maternal complications may be expected

Inspired or foolhardy: sensemaking, confidence and entrepreneurs' decision-making.

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the role of confidence in how both new and experienced entrepreneurs interpret and make sense of their business environment to inform decision-making. We illustrate our conceptual arguments with descriptive results from a large-scale (n = 6289) survey on entrepreneurs' perception of business performance and their decisions taken at a time of uncertainty in an economic downturn. Quantitative findings are stratified along experiential lines to explore heterogeneity in entrepreneurial decision-making and directly inform our conceptual arguments, while qualitative data from open questions are used to explain the role of confidence. Newer entrepreneurs are found to be more optimistic in the face of environmental risk, which impacts on their decision-making and innovative capabilities. However, the more experienced entrepreneurs warily maintain margin and restructure to adapt to environmental changes. Instead of looking directly at the confidence of individuals, we show how confidence impacts sensemaking, and ultimately, decision-making. These insights inform research on the behaviour of novice and experienced entrepreneurs in relation to innovative business activities. Specifically, blanket assumptions on the role of confidence may be misplaced as its impact changes with experience to alter how entrepreneurs make sense of their environment

De-centring the securitization of asylum and migration in the European Union: Securitization, vulnerability and the role of Turkey

This article contributes to the debates on de-centring the analysis of migration governance in Europe by focusing on the potential role of external actors in the securitisation of asylum and migration in the European Union (EU). Although there has been a growing amount of literature on the securitisation of asylum and migration in the EU, the role possibly played by external actors in this securitisation process has not been considered to date. This article addresses this gap using the case of Turkey. Theoretically, it contributes to the development of the securitisation framework by de-centring the study of securitisation processes. It argues that, from the vantage point of an external actor, a securitisation process highlights the existence of a vulnerability to a specific phenomenon that is perceived to be threatening. An external actor can then decide to exploit this vulnerability for its own gain, notably by making threats that play on the fears of the other political actor. Empirically, the article demonstrates how the Turkish government has been able to exploit the vulnerability of European countries to migration flows, which had been highlighted by the social construction of asylum and migration as security issues. By repeatedly threatening to send more asylum-seekers and migrants Europe’s way, the Turkish authorities have managed to secure some significant financial and political benefits for themselves in the last few years

Investigation of Hydration Temperature of Alkali Activated Slag Based Concrete

This paper presents the results of an investigation on the effect of activator type, binder amount and sodium dosage on hydration heats of Alkali-Activated Slag (AAS) concrete. For the slag activation, sodium hydroxide (NaOH) pellets and the mixture of NaOH+liquid sodium silicate (Na2SiO3) were used at three sodium concentrations, 4%, 6% and 8% by mass of slag. Twenty one different mixtures were prepared for the laboratory tests. In the reference three mixtures, OPC was used as binder and in the other AAS mixtures Granulated Blast Furnace Slag (GBFS) was used. The binder dosages were 300, 350 and 400 kg/m3 and the waterbinder (w/b) ratio used in the mixtures was 0.50. The compressive strength and hydration temperature of produced concretes were measured. The temperature change of specimens measured in every 15 minutes until 120 hours. The test results showed that, the compressive strengths and hydration temperatures of the mixtures increased depending on increasing binder amount and sodium dosage. The use of NaOH+Na2SiO3 mixture as activator increased compressive strength but decreased hydration temperature of the mixtures. The hydration temperatures of all AAS mixtures were lower than OPC mixtures. Produced AAS concrete with low hydration temperature can be an alternative in recycled construction material at mass concrete applications. © 2017, Korean Society of Civil Engineers