The Cauchy problem in General Relativity: An algebraic characterization

In this paper we shall analyse the structure of the Cauchy Problem (CP briefly) for General Relativity (GR briefly) by applying the theory of first order symmetric hyperbolic systems

Extended Theories of Gravitation

In this paper we shall review the equivalence between Palatini$-f(\mathcal R)$ theories and Brans- Dicke (BD) theories at the level of action principles. We shall define the Helmholtz Lagrangian associated to Palatini$-f(\mathcal R)$ theory and we will define some transformations which will be useful to recover Einstein frame and Brans-Dicke frame. We shall see an explicit example of matter field and we will discuss how the conformal factor affects the physical quantities.Comment: Workshop Variational principles and conservation laws in General Relativity, Torino, June 24-25, 2015in memory of Mauro Francavigli

Breaking the Conformal Gauge by Fixing Time Protocols

We review the definition by Perlick of standard clocks in a Weyl geometry and show how a congruence of clocks can be used to fix the conformal gauge in the EPS framework. Examples are discussed in details.Comment: 14 pages, 4 figur

American Mathematical Association of Two Year Colleges Reform Policies in Practice : Implementing Standards in Classroom Instruction for Basic Skills Mathematics at One Four-Year College in New Jersey

High school graduates continue to enter post-secondary education lacking in basic mathematical skills and thus not academically prepared to enroll in college-level mathematics courses (ACT, 2010). Although it can be argued that those mathematical concepts should have been mastered in grades K-12, educating those students in basic skills mathematics has become the responsibility of universities and colleges. Two publications of the American Mathematical Association of Two Year Colleges (AMATYC), Crossroads (1995) and Beyond Crossroads (2006) set forth standards for mathematics programs and courses offered to students during their first two years of postsecondary education, which includes basic skills programs. Those standards can be used as guidelines for departments that are maintaining and supporting a basic skills mathematics program. Case study methodology was used to describe how the AMATYC standards impacted the implementation, evaluation and modification of a basic skills program at one four-year institution. Data sources included an initial survey, interviews and observations as well as program documents such as mission statements, course syllabi, texts and supporting technology. The study’s findings indicated that the institution had used AMATYC standards to guide many aspects of their program. Overall, the findings indicated that the institution’s basic skills mathematics program was fairly well aligned with the AMATYC standards. This study confirmed research findings suggesting that it is difficult for programs to completely align with standards put forward by professional associations or councils

Knowledge, attitude and behaviours towards recommended vaccinations among healthcare workers

Healthcare workers (HCWs) are an important group of professionals exposed to biological risk during their work activities. So, the aim of this study is to perform a survey on the knowledge, attitude and behaviour of Italian HCWs towards the vaccinations recommended by the Ministry of Health. A cross-sectional study was carried out during the period September 2014-August 2015 in the Lazio region. The study was conducted by recruiting HCWs and biomedical students. The sample was comprised of 571 responders, of whom 12.4% were physicians, 18.9% were nurses, 34.3% were other HCW, and 34.3% were biomedical students (medical and nurses students). Hepatitis B virus (HBV) is perceived as a risk for personal health by 457 (80%) participants; TB is also worrying (434; 76%). Moreover, HBV (70.9%) and tuberculosis (TB) (79.2%) are perceived as a risk for health, while influenza is not considered so by most participants (46.2%). There is an underestimation of the role of influenza, perceived as a risk for 137 respondents (24%). The vaccination rate among these HCWs is highest for Hepatitis B virus (HBV) (82%), and lowest for influenza (28.5%) and varicella (40.3%). The vast majority of responders are in favour of HBV (77.8%) and TB (64.8%) vaccines. For other vaccinations there is less interest (between 33% and 40% for measles, mumps, rubella, pertussis and influenza). This study shows that knowledge of recommended occupational vaccinations is insufficient in HCWs, with few exceptions represented by HBV and TB. There is a need for novel approaches in this field, with the aim of enhancing vaccine coverage among HCW

Weight Variation by Sex and Nature of Risk Factors in High-Risk Infants: An Evolutionary Perspective

A retrospective cohort study was conducted to explore growth variation during the intrauterine and early postnatal period by sex and nature of high-risk factors (i.e. physiological and pathological) in 831 Korean infants at a University hospital. The results showed that infants with a physiological risk showed a more congruent intrauterine growth pattern compared to those with a pathological risk. Particularly with a physiological risk, female infants experienced more compatible intrauterine and postnatal growth than males, although male infants were heavier than female infants at a given gestational age. In conclusion bigger may not necessarily be better for prenatal growth in humans. A more confluent intrauterine growth in infants with physiological risk can be beneficial for early postnatal catch-up growth. From an evolutionary perspective, female infants with a physiological risk may keep their advantageous edge over male infants during the early postnatal period although such an advantage may not be present with a pathological condition

Paul Thornell Baker (1927-2007)

Paul Thornell Baker, Evan Pugh Professor Emeritus of Anthropology at the Pennsylvania State University died on Thursday, November 29, 2007, at the age of 80 after a long illness. He is survived by his wife of fifty-eight years, Thelma Shoher Baker of Chapel Hill, North Carolina; his son, Joshua Baker of Hillsborough, NC; his daughters, Deoborah Baker of San Francisco, CA; Amy Carter of Minneapolis, MN; Felicia LeClere of Granger, IN; as well as nine grandchildren