The Energy of a Dynamical Wave-Emitting System in General Relativity

The problem of energy and its localization in general relativity is critically re-examined. The Tolman energy integral for the Eddington spinning rod is analyzed in detail and evaluated apart from a single term. It is shown that a higher order iteration is required to find its value. Details of techniques to solve mathematically challenging problems of motion with powerful computing resources are provided. The next phase of following a system from static to dynamic to final quasi-static state is described.Comment: 36 pages, 2 figures, to appear in Foundations of Physic

General relativistic velocity: the alternative to dark matter

We consider the gravitational collapse of a spherically symmetric ball of dust in the general relativistic weak gravity regime. The velocity of the matter as viewed by external observers is compared to the velocity gauged by local observers. While the comparison in the case of very strong gravity is seen to follow the pattern familiar from studies of test particles falling towards a concentrated mass, the case of weak gravity is very different. The velocity of the dust that is witnessed by external observers is derived for the critically open case and is seen to differ markedly from the expectations based upon Newtonian gravity theory. Viewed as an idealized model for a cluster of galaxies, we find that with the general relativistic velocity expression, the higher-than-expected constituent velocities observed can be readily correlated with the solely baryonic measure of the mass, obviating the need to introduce extraneous dark matter. Hitherto unexplained and subject-to-reinterpretation astrophysical phenomena could also be considered within this context. It is suggested that an attempt be made to formulate an experimental design at smaller scales simulating or realizing a collapse with the aim of implementing a new test of general relativity.Comment: 12 pages, 2 figure

Beta blocker dialyzability and effectiveness in chronic hemodialysis patients

Of the minimal information describing drug dialyzability, the majority was obtained prior to modern hemodialysis membranes. This study characterized the dialyzability of the most commonly prescribed beta blockers in patients undergoing high-flux hemodialysis. Eight subjects were recruited to a pharmacokinetic, 4-way crossover trial. Drug concentrations were measured using mass spectrometry and dialyzability determined by the arterial-venous difference and recovery clearance methods. A provincial-wide retrospective cohort study was designed to determine the effect of dialyzability on adverse clinical outcomes. Beta blocker efficacy can be hindered if substantial clearance occurs during dialysis. Our results demonstrate atenolol and metoprolol are extensively cleared during hemodialysis, while carvedilol displays low dialyzability. Although bisoprolol was previously considered to be minimally dialyzed, we now demonstrate moderate dialyzability. This highlights the importance of conducting dialyzability studies. With recent findings suggesting heightened mortality risk in hemodialysis patients prescribed highly dialyzed beta blockers, dialyzability data is critical to optimize pharmacotherapy

Methods of Protein Characterization

AppA is a protein in Rhodobacter sphaeroides that has been the topic of debate among scientists for the past several years with regards to the structure of the protein. It has been known that AppA has an effect on the activity of PpsR, which controls the gene expression of photosystems. There are two conflicting experimental structures (2IYG and 1YRX) of the protein, both of which claim to be taken in the dark phase (meaning when there is no light shining on the protein). The debate is about whether some slight differences in the structures represent the shift from the dark state to the light-induced state. It is known that in the light state, AppA releases PpsR and undergoes a dimerization event with itself. We observed the interactions within an experimental structure of the AppA dimer and compared them to the 2IYG and 1YRX structures. Most scientists have focused on the positioning of Trp104 to explain the functional changes of AppA upon light excitation, but our analysis of experimental structures suggests that the dimerization could play a larger role in the functional mechanism of AppA

The Effects of a Transition to University Intervention Program on Adjustment and Identity Development

The transition to university can be a stressful time for many students, whether it is smooth and successful, or full of difficulty. While the transition to university can be taxing enough, it also coincides with the period in which adolescents are said to be developing their sense of identity (Erikson, 1968). Given the stress many students experience, the Transition to University (T2U) Program, a social support focused intervention, was developed to assist students with the adjustment (e.g., Lamothe et al., 1995; Pratt et al., 2000). The purpose of this research was to examine the effects of the T2U Program on university adjustment, identity, and factors that facilitate identity development. This was examined in two studies. Study 1 a examined the relationship between participation in the T2U Program, university adjustment, and more traditional conceptualizations of identity: identity processing style (Berzonsky, 1988), and identity status (Marcia, 1966). Three mechanisms proposed to facilitate the process of identity development (confidence in parental support, a sense of industry, and having a self-reflective approach to the future; Marcia, 1983a) were also examined. Results showed that women who took part in the intervention adjusted better to university compared to women in the control group. Participation in the T2U Program was also found to be significantly related to higher scores on identity status. With respect to the mechanisms that facilitate identity development, participants’ sense of industry mediated the relationship between participation in the intervention and development in identity processing style over the course of the first year of university, such that taking part in the T2U Program was related to increases in participants’ sense of industry, which was found to be related to gains in informational identity processing style. Identity status was found to be a marginally significant mediator of the relationship between participation in the intervention and university adjustment, such that participation in the T2U Program was related to the development of a sense of identity, which in turn is related to better university adjustment. Study 1b examined university adjustment, and the impact of the T2U Program on a different conceptualization of identity: narrative identity, or the development of a life story. Participants’ stories of a turning point event (an event that brought about a change in who they were, or how they thought of themselves) and stories of their future plans were examined. Results showed that participation in the intervention was either unrelated, or negatively related to story ratings. However, while ratings of participants’ turning point stories were not related to university adjustment, results showed a consistent significant relationship between the amount of exploration in participants’ future script stories and university adjustment. These results are discussed with regard to the development of the life story over the life course, and relationships between narrative identity and more traditional conceptualizations of identity. Results are discussed from a developmental perspective. Issues related to power, story length, and methodological issues are also examined

The Pathophysiology of Heart Failure

Abstract The purpose of this presentation was to discuss the pathophysiology of heart failure. Topics covered included disease prevalence and common signs and symptoms. The pathophysiology of heart failure is further discussed identifying how heart failure is classified and how each compensatory mechanism of heart failure leads to further disease progression. Implications for nursing care are discussed including goals of treatment, medication regimens, and patient education on disease management

The relationship between youth involvement and the transition to university: An examination of the mediating factors

Research shows that involvement in activities outside of schoolwork and paid employment predicts better adjustment to university. The purpose of this study was to determine why involvement predicts better adjustment. Literature indicates that in addition to involvement, adjustment to university may be influenced by self-esteem, stress, social support and social skills. It was hypothesized that these factors mediate the relationship between involvement and adjustment. Two studies examined this hypothesis. In study 1, two new scales (the Quality of Involvement Scale, and the Social Skills Scale) were developed and pilot tested for use in study 2. In study 2 undergraduate students completed questionnaires that measured quality and quantity of involvement, self-esteem, stress, social support, social skills, and adjustment to university. The hypotheses that self-esteem, stress, social support and social skills mediated the relationship between involvement and adjustment were tested. Results indicated that self-esteem, social support, and stress all mediate the relationship between involvement and adjustment to university. Quality, and not quantity, of involvement, was the best predictor of adjustment. Results are discussed with regard to ways in which to enhance the quality of students\u27 involvement, and thereby enhance their adjustment to university

Evaluation of Operative Sustainable Competitive Advantage of Small and Medium Sized Pharmaceutical Companies in Southern Vietnam

Due to the competitive nature of the dynamic and turbulent business environment, it is crucial for businesses to establish their operations strategy in order to preserve their market position and achieve sustainable competitive advantage. The goal of this research is to evaluate the sustainable competitive advantage of small and medium-sized pharmaceutical enterprises in Southern Vietnam in terms of their current orientation, the direction of development, and sustainability. The research is based on an interview-based investigation of six case companies. The core method used in this research is Sense and Respond, which is implemented in practice with the combination of different tools and methods. The data is collected using two different sets of questionnaires: one for the Manufacturing Strategy Index (MSI) and the other for the Sense and Respond (S&R) method. When results are obtained, the second interview is implemented to validate how much the analyzed results fit the real situations of the case companies. The findings of this paper show that the Sense and Respond method works quite well in evaluating the sustainable competitive advantage of small and medium-sized pharmaceutical companies in Southern Vietnam. The results indicate that all case companies act as an analyzer when implementing operations strategies. Besides, the research shows that spearhead technology brings the most uncertainty for all six companies. Data collection was based on the answers of only two respondents from each company; therefore, it is difficult to say whether the trustworthiness of the results is good or not. Besides, the case companies wish to remain anonymous, thus, it is also hard to provide a more detailed conclusion and analysis of the results