Two-field cosmological models and large-scale cosmic magnetic fields

We consider two different toy cosmological models based on two fields (one normal scalar and one phantom) realizing the same evolution of the Bang-to-Rip type. One of the fields (pseudoscalar) interacts with the magnetic field breaking the conformal invariance of the latter. The effects of the amplification of cosmic magnetic fields are studied and it is shown that the presence of such effects can discriminate between different cosmological models realizing the same global evolution of the universe.Comment: 12 pages, 3 figure

Kinin-B1 receptors in ischaemia-induced pancreatitis: Functional importance and cellular localisation

In this study we compare the role of kininB1 and B2 receptors during ischaemia/reperfusion of rat pancreas. Our investigations were prompted by the observation that infusion of a kininB2 receptor antagonist produced significant improvement in acute experimental pancreatitis. In an acute model with two hours of ischaemia/two hours of reperfusion, application of the kininB1 receptor antagonist (CP-0298) alone, or in combination with kininB2 receptor antagonist (CP-0597), significantly reduced the number of adherent leukocytes in postcapillary venules. In a chronic model with five days of reperfusion, the continuous application of kininB1 receptor antagonist or a combination of kininB1 and B2 receptor antagonists markedly reduced the survival rate. In kininreceptor binding studies kininB1 receptor showed a 22-fold increase in expression during the time of ischaemia/ reperfusion. Carboxypeptidase M activity was upregulated 10-fold following two hours of ischaemia and two hours of reperfusion, provided the appropriate specific ligand, desArg10-kallidin and/or desArg9-bradykinin, was used. The occurrence of kininB1 receptor binding sites on acinar cell membranes was demonstrated by microautoradiography. With a specific antibody, the localisation of kininB1 receptor protein was confirmed at the same sites. In conclusion, we have demonstrated the upregulation of the pancreatic acinar cell kininB1 receptors during ischaemia/reperfusion. The novel functional finding was that antagonism of the kininB1 receptors decreased the survival rate in an experimental model of pancreatitis

On knottings in the physical Hilbert space of LQG as given by the EPRL model

We consider the EPRL spin foam amplitude for arbitrary embedded two-complexes. Choosing a definition of the face- and edge amplitudes which lead to spin foam amplitudes invariant under trivial subdivisions, we investigate invariance properties of the amplitude under consistent deformations, which are deformations of the embedded two-complex where faces are allowed to pass through each other in a controlled way. Using this surprising invariance, we are able to show that in the physical Hilbert space as defined by the sum over all spin foams contains no knotting classes of graphs anymore.Comment: 22 pages, 14 figure

Differential oppression theory and female delinquency

The study of juvenile delinquency has focused almost exclusively on males. There are two reasons why: (1) more boys commit serious delinquency and boys commit more delinquency than girls and (2) men dominate the field of criminology. This paper takes a step toward opening a conversation about female delinquency by discussing it in terms of Regoli and Hewitt's theory of differential oppression. According to Regoli and Hewitt, girls in patriarchal society are doubly oppressed: they are oppressed as children and are oppressed as females. These "modes of oppression" account for both the lower rates of female delinquency as well as the particular adaptive reactions of girls to oppression, which include delinquency

Physical boundary Hilbert space and volume operator in the Lorentzian new spin-foam theory

A covariant spin-foam formulation of quantum gravity has been recently developed, characterized by a kinematics which appears to match well the one of canonical loop quantum gravity. In this paper we reconsider the implementation of the constraints that defines the model. We define in a simple way the boundary Hilbert space of the theory, introducing a slight modification of the embedding of the SU(2) representations into the SL(2,C) ones. We then show directly that all constraints vanish on this space in a weak sense. The vanishing is exact (and not just in the large quantum number limit.) We also generalize the definition of the volume operator in the spinfoam model to the Lorentzian signature, and show that it matches the one of loop quantum gravity, as does in the Euclidean case.Comment: 11 page

Holding serious juvenile offenders responsible: Implications from differential oppression theory

A current controversy in criminology is whether juvenile offenders should be treated in a similar manner as adult offenders. This paper examines this issue within the context of the theory of _diffe􀀪ential oppression. Differential oppression theory argues that delinquents and their delinquencies are a consequence of adult perceptions and treatment of children as inferior persons. The remedy for delinquency is to change existing social arrangements to give children the opportunity to be viewed as equally valuable as adults and as autonomous persons. Implicit within the recommendation is that children be held responsible for their wrongful actions. To do otherwise would deny them their humanity and their right to be treated as persons. Treating children as adults for the decisions they make (both good and bad) is being respectful of them as autonomous, moral agents

Valuing textbook writing in academic personnel reviews

Faculty who write textbooks within their disciplines are often frustrated by department, college, or university level policies that designate textbooks as something other than a traditional scholarly activity. Some place textbooks under teaching or pedagogical aids while others accept textbooks as a clear­ly secondary form of scholarly activity. Perhaps more problematic are the lack of rewards and the imposition of disincentives to author textbooks. This paper will examine faculty perceptions of the role and value of textbook writ­ing and issues relating to placement in the personnel review process

The dilemma of evaluating faith-based correctional programs in institutional and community setting

Faith-based correctional programs are intended to produce inner change in participants. Research con­firming positive effects of these programs may then support program continuation or expansion. Empirical evaluations can measure ethical action, but not redemption in terms of transcendent reality. This paper argues that evaluations of faith-based programs are incorrectly tied to empirical designs based in social science, rather than on understandings about the true redemptive changes that can occur in the lives of participants in the programs. We suggest that grace and redemption are beyond the reaches of scientific inquiry and that empirically-based evaluation studies of such programs miss the mar

Farmed-out: A case study of differential oppression theory and female child farm labor in the early 20th century

This paper examines the experiences of rural, female orphans in early 20th century United States. A content analysis was conducted and oral histories collected from which the following themes about rural, female, orphan's lives emerged: non-agency, consummate caretaker, martyrdom, and strength. Regoli and Hewitt's theory of differential oppression was utilized in the analysis. Differential oppression posits that all children are oppressed, that female children are doubly-oppressed based on their status as child and female, and that to adapt to this oppression children employ one or more of four modes of adaptations: passive acceptance of their circumstances, exercise of illegitimate coercive power, manipulation of one's peers, or retaliation. This paper concludes that rural female orphans most commonly utilized the mode of passive acceptance