Concerns of Pastoral Ministry With a Biblical Perspective From the Gospel of Mark

The area of study for this paper was pastoral ministry. The research focused on three areas of concern: the recruitment of persons for pastoral ministry; the attrition of pastors from the parish ministry: and, the training of ministers

Comment on "Perfect imaging with positive refraction in three dimensions"

Leonhard and Philbin [Phys. Rev. A 81, 011804(R) (2010)] have recently constructed a mathematical proof that the Maxwell's fish-eye lens provides perfect imaging of electromagnetic waves without negative refraction. In this comment, we argue that the unlimited resolution is an artifact of having introduced an unphysical drain at the position of the geometrical image. The correct solution gives focusing consistent with the standard diffraction limit

Skyrmion vibrational energies with a generalized mass term

We study various properties of a one parameter mass term for the Skyrme model, originating from the works of Kopeliovich, Piette and Zakrzewski, through the use of axially symmetric solutions obtained numerically by simulated-annealing. These solutions allow us to observe asymptotic behaviors of the B=2 binding energies that differ to those previously obtained. We also decipher the characteristics of three distinct vibrational modes that appear as eigenstates of the vibrational Hamiltonian. This analysis further examine the assertion that the one parameter mass term offers a better account of baryonic matter than the traditional mass term.Comment: 12 pages, 8 figure

Exciton Beats in GaAs Quantum Wells: Bosonic Representation and Collective Effects

We discuss light-heavy hole beats observed in transient optical experiments in GaAs quantum wells in terms of a free-boson coherent state model. This approach is compared with descriptions based on few-level representations. Results lead to an interpretation of the beats as due to classical electromagnetic interference. The boson picture correctly describes photon excitation of extended states and accounts for experiments involving coherent control of the exciton density and Rayleigh scattering beating.Comment: 4 pages, no figures. Accepted for publication in Solid State Communication

The integration of sustainable development in for-profit public service networks in France. The case of the postal and energy fields (GDF, EDF)

For-profit public service networks increasingly incorporate sustainable development objectives. This vital concern occurs in a situation of generalised competition in which demands for profitability are increasingly important. This study concerns the way in which the issue of sustainable development fits into the strategies and activities of these services. By adopting a conventionalist approach, this study looks in particular at the innovations involved in these activities to respond to sustainable development objectives, whilst respecting the constraints of profitability and public service linked to their business. The results show that these activities develop sustainable development indicators, either in a mimetic approach, or in an innovative approach. They also develop innovations that allow social elements to be reconstructed in their services. These innovations try to reconcile the conflicting objectives of the different spheres of sustainable development

PPAR Agonists and Cardiovascular Disease in Diabetes

Peroxisome proliferators activated receptors (PPARs) are ligand-activated nuclear transcription factors that play important roles in lipid and glucose homeostasis. To the extent that PPAR agonists improve diabetic dyslipidaemia and insulin resistance, these agents have been considered to reduce cardiovascular risk. However, data from murine models suggests that PPAR agonists also have independent anti-atherosclerotic actions, including the suppression of vascular inflammation, oxidative stress, and activation of the renin angiotensin system. Many of these potentially anti-atherosclerotic effects are thought to be mediated by transrepression of nuclear factor-kB, STAT, and activator protein-1 dependent pathways. In recent clinical trials, PPARα agonists have been shown to be effective in the primary prevention of cardiovascular events, while their cardiovascular benefit in patients with established cardiovascular disease remains equivocal. However, the use of PPARγ agonists, and more recently dual PPARα/γ coagonists, has been associated with an excess in cardiovascular events, possibly reflecting unrecognised fluid retention with potent agonists of the PPARγ receptor. Newer pan agonists, which retain their anti-atherosclerotic activity without weight gain, may provide one solution to this problem. However, the complex biologic effects of the PPARs may mean that only vascular targeted agents or pure transrepressors will realise the goal of preventing atherosclerotic vascular disease