122,705 research outputs found
Extending the definition of entropy to nonequilibrium steady states
We study the nonequilibrium statistical mechanics of a finite classical
system subjected to nongradient forces and maintained at fixed kinetic
energy (Hoover-Evans isokinetic thermostat). We assume that the microscopic
dynamics is sufficiently chaotic (Gallavotti-Cohen chaotic hypothesis) and that
there is a natural nonequilibrium steady state . When is
replaced by one can compute the change of
(linear response) and define an entropy change based on
energy considerations. When is varied around a loop, the total change of
need not vanish: outside of equilibrium the entropy has curvature. But at
equilibrium (i.e. if is a gradient) we show that the curvature is zero,
and that the entropy near equilibrium is well defined to
second order in .Comment: plain TeX, 10 pagesemacs ded
Microscopic chaos from Brownian motion?
A recent experiment on Brownian motion has been interpreted to exhibit direct
evidence for microscopic chaos. In this note we demonstrate that virtually
identical results can be obtained numerically using a manifestly
microscopically nonchaotic system.Comment: 3 pages, 1 figure, Comment on P. Gaspard et al, Nature vol 394, 865
(1998); rewritten in a more popular styl
Conversion of a gastric band into an intraperitoneal port in a patient with optimally debulked stage 3C serous ovarian carcinoma
Intraperitoneal (IP) chemotherapy in women with optimally debulked stage 3 ovarian cancer improves overall survival and progression-free survival, and its use has been encouraged in the adjuvant treatment of appropriately selected patients (Armstrong et al., 2006; Jaaback and Johnson, 2006). We describe a case in which a previously inserted adjustable gastric band was converted to an IP chemotherapy port during a laparotomy for advanced ovarian cancer
Molecular evolution and morphological speciation in North Atlantic brachiopods (Terebratulina spp.)
Morphological and molecular differentiation of western and eastern North Atlantic brachiopods were examined by morphometric analysis of six shell characteristics (<i>n</i>= 144), allozyme electrophoresis at six nuclear gene loci (<i>n</i>= 485), and estimation of nucleotide difference by digestion of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) with nine restriction endonucleases (<i>n</i>= 96)
The impact of an emotionally expressive writing intervention on eating pathology in female students
© 2018 The Author(s). Published by Informa UK Limited, trading as Taylor & Francis Group.Introduction: Previous research demonstrating emotional influences on eating and weight suggest that emotionally expressive writing may have a significant impact on reducing risk of eating pathology. This study examined the effects of writing about Intensely Positive Experiences on weight and disordered eating during a naturalistic stressor. Method: Seventy-one female students completed an expressive or a control writing task before a period of exams. Both groups were compared on BMI (kg/m2) and the Eating Disorder Examination – Questionnaire (EDE-Q) before the writing task and at 8-week follow-up. A number of secondary analyses were also examined (to identify potential mediators) including measures of attachment, social rank, self-criticism and self-reassurance, stress and mood. Results: There was a significant effect of intervention on changes in the subscales of the EDE-Q (p = .03). Specifically, expressive writers significantly reduced their dietary restraint while those in the control group did not. There was no significant effect of the intervention on changes in BMI or the other subscales of the EDE-Q (Eating, Weight and Shape Concern). There was also no effect of writing on any of the potential mediators in the secondary analyses. Discussion: Emotionally expressive writing may reduce the risk of dietary restraint in women but these findings should be accepted with caution. It is a simple and light touch intervention that has the potential to be widely applied. However, it remains for future research to replicate these results and to identify the mechanisms of action.Peer reviewedFinal Published versio
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