Some thoughts about nonequilibrium temperature

The main objective of this paper is to show that, within the present framework of the kinetic theoretical approach to irreversible thermodynamics, there is no evidence that provides a basis to modify the ordinary Fourier equation relating the heat flux in a non-equilibrium steady state to the gradient of the local equilibrium temperature. This fact is supported, among other arguments, through the kinetic foundations of generalized hydrodynamics. Some attempts have been recently proposed asserting that, in the presence of non-linearities of the state variables, such a temperature should be replaced by the non-equilibrium temperature as defined in Extended Irreversible Thermodynamics. In the approximations used for such a temperature there is so far no evidence that sustains this proposal.Comment: 13 pages, TeX, no figures, to appear in Mol. Phy

Nonequilibrium corrections in the pressure tensor due to an energy flux

The physical interpretation of the nonequilibrium corrections in the pressure tensor for radiation submitted to an energy flux obtained in some previous works is revisited. Such pressure tensor is shown to describe a moving equilibrium system but not a real nonequilibrium situation.Comment: 4 pages, REVTeX, Brief Report to appear in PRE Dec 9

Information theory in the study of anisotropic radiation

Information theory is used to perform a thermodynamic study of non equilibrium anisotropic radiation. We limit our analysis to a second-order truncation of the moments, obtaining a distribution function which leads to a natural closure of the hierarchy of radiative transfer equations in the so-called variable Eddington factor scheme. Some Eddington factors appearing in the literature can be recovered as particular cases of our two-parameter Eddington factor. We focus our attention in the study of the thermodynamic properties of such systems and relate it to recent nonequilibrium thermodynamic theories. Finally we comment the possibility of introducing a nonequilibrium chemical potential for photons.Comment: 1 eps figure upon request by e-mail, to appear in Journal of Physics

Beings in their own right? Exploring Children and young people's sibling and twin relationships in the Minority World

This paper examines the contributions that the sociological study of sibship and twinship in the Minority World can make to childhood studies. It argues that, in providing one forum within which to explore children and young people's social relationships, we can add to our understanding of children and young people's interdependence and develop a more nuanced understanding of agency. As emergent subjects, children, young people and adults are in a process of ‘becoming’. However, this does not mean that they can ‘become’ anything they choose to. The notion of negotiated interdependence (Punch 2002) is useful in helping us to grasp the contingent nature of children and young people's agency

Social representations of diagnosis in the consultation

Observations of physiotherapy consultations and qualitative interviews with patients were conducted to explore the clinical explanation for sciatic pain. We report three themes which illustrate the contested and negotiated order of the clinical explanation: anchoring, resistance and normalisation. We show using the theory of social representations how the social order in the physiotherapy consultation is maintained, contested and rearticulated. We highlight the importance of agency in patients’ ability to resist the clinical explanation and in turn shape the clinical discourse within the consultation. Social representations offer insights into how the world is viewed by different individuals, in our case physiotherapists and patients with sciatic pain symptoms. The negotiation about the diagnosis reveals the malleable and socially constructed nature of pain and the meaning making process underpinning it. The study has implications for understanding inequalities in the consultation and the key ingredients of consensus

M-health and health promotion: the digital cyborg and surveillance society

The new mobile wireless computer technologies and social media applications using Web 2.0 platforms have recently received attention from those working in health promotion as a promising new way of achieving their goals of preventing ill-health and promoting healthy behaviours at the population level. There is very little critical examination in this literature of how the use of these digital technologies may affect the targeted groups, in terms of the implications for how individuals experience embodiment, selfhood and social relationships. This article addresses these issues, employing a range of social and cultural theories to do so. It is argued that m-health technologies produce a digital cyborg body. They are able to act not only as prostheses but also as interpreters of the body. The subject produced through the use of m-health technologies is constructed as both an object of surveillance and persuasion and as a responsible citizen who is willing and able to act on the health imperatives issuing forth from the technologies and to present their body/self as open to continual measurement and assessment. The implications of this new way of surveilling the body’s health are discussed

Seismic Reflection Study of Upheaval Dome, Canyonlands National Park, Utah

The origin of Upheaval Dome, in Canyonlands National Park of southeastern Utah, has been a topic of controversy among geologists and planetary scientists. The structure has long been thought to have been created by salt diapirism from the underlying Paradox Formation. Recent studies have suggested that impact could have formed the dome. To test the various hypotheses, we acquired, processed, and interpreted seismic reflection data within and adjacent to the structure. Both conventionally stacked and prestack-migrated images show \u3c100 m relief in the Paradox Formation, contrary to salt diapirism hypotheses. Further, we have identified features within the images typical of impact structures, such as listric normal faults having displacements toward the center of the dome. Deformation occurs in two depth ranges, with the faulting that created the central uplift appearing only above the Hermosa Formation, in the upper 800 m of the structure. The images also suggest limited fracturing of the Hermosa and salt flow in the Paradox Formation, perhaps due to gravitational relaxation of the crater form. Our image of a nearly flat top of the Paradox salt strongly favors an impact origin for Upheaval Dome

Possible experiment to check the reality of a nonequilibrium temperature

An experiment is proposed to check the physical reality of a nonequilibrium absolute temperature previously proposed from theoretical grounds in the framework of extended irreversible thermodynamics

Exploring the impact of cultural beliefs in the self-management of type 2 diabetes among Black sub-Saharan Africans in the UK – a qualitative study informed by the PEN-3 cultural model

Objective The purpose of this study was to examine cultural beliefs, attitudes, and practices of Black sub-Saharan Africans (BsSAs) in the UK regarding their type 2 diabetes (T2D) self-management using the concepts of the PEN-3 cultural model. Method A qualitative study involved 36 semi-structured interviews with BsSAs living with T2D in the UK to examine relevant cultural practices and beliefs that have contributed to the uneven burden of self-management behaviours. A narrative thematic analysis of the data was then conducted for the study using NVivo software and guided by the PEN-3 cultural model, which moves beyond individualistic health behaviour models of diabetes but centralises culture in understanding health behaviours. Results Cultural perceptions and self-management behaviours of T2D varied among the BsSAs. Systems of self-management and treatment practices that were congruent with their cultural beliefs and personal priorities were seen as essential in the positive response to self-managing T2D. Knowledge and perceptions of non-conventional and alternative remedies linked to cultural beliefs reflected the existential health-seeking behaviours, and the significance attached to BsSAs negotiated cultural identities and collective practices within the communities. Social network supports were seen as enablers while advice and regimens from healthcare professionals (HCPs) were presented as medicalised and devoid of cultural sensitivities to respondents. Conclusion The study findings highlight the need to be not only aware of the negative impact of diabetes perceptions and health behaviours among the BsSA communities, but also be aware of the enabling factors and collective practices within the communities that are equally critical in influencing the self-management and health-seeking decisions of BsSAs living with T2D. PEN-3 model was significant with exploring not only how cultural context shapes health beliefs and practices, but also how social networks and systems play a critical role in enabling or nurturing positive health behaviours and health outcomes

Dairy consumption and cardiometabolic diseases: systematic review and updated meta-analyses of prospective cohort studies

Purpose of Review Dairy products contain both beneficial and harmful nutrients in relation to cardiometabolic diseases. Here, we provide the latest scientific evidence regarding the relationship between dairy products and cardiometabolic diseases by reviewing the literature and updating meta-analyses of observational studies. Recent Findings We updated our previous meta-analyses of cohort studies on type 2 diabetes, coronary heart disease (CHD), and stroke with nine studies and confirmed previous results. Total dairy and low-fat dairy (per 200 g/d) were inversely associated with a 3–4% lower risk of diabetes. Yogurt was non-linearly inversely associatedwith diabetes (RR = 0.86, 95%CI: 0.83–0.90 at 80 g/ d). Total dairy and milk were not associated with CHD (RR~1.0). An increment of 200 g of daily milk intake was associated with an 8% lower risk of stroke. Summary The latest scientific evidence confirmed neutral or beneficial associations between dairy products and risk of cardiometabolic diseases