Saint Anselm College

About: Saint Anselm College is a education organization based out in Manchester, New Hampshire, United States. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Nurse education & Extinction (psychology). The organization has 255 authors who have published 522 publications receiving 7222 citations.

Non-Clausius heat transfer: The method of the nonstationary Langevin equation.

Abstract: Compared to other formulations of the second law of thermodynamics, the Clausius statement that heat does not spontaneously flow from cold to hot concerns a system in nonequilibrium states, and in that respect is more ambitious but also more ambiguous. We discuss two scenarios when the Clausius statement in its plain form does not hold. First, for ergodic systems, the energy transfer may be consistent with the statement on a coarse-grained timescale, but be anomalously directed during time intervals shorter than the thermalization time. In particular, when an initially colder system is brought in contact to a hotter bath, the internal energy of the former increases with time in a long run but not monotonically. Second, the heat transfer may not respect the Clausius statement on any timescale in nonergodic systems due to the formation of localized vibrational modes. We illustrate the two scenarios with a familiar model of an isotope atom attached to a semi-infinite harmonic atomic chain. Technically, the discussion is based on a Langevin equation for the isotope, using the initial condition when the isotope and chain are initially prepared in uncorrelated canonical states under the constraint that the boundary atom between the isotope and chain is initially fixed and later released. In such setting, the noise in the Langevin equation is nonstationary, and the fluctuation-dissipation relation has a nonstandard form.

Random knots and energy: elementary considerations

Abstract: We present two constructions of random knots. The first gives piecewise linear knots. It has a parameter (which can be a function), which allows one some control of the expected shape of the knot. The second construction uses Fourier series to construct smooth random knots. We then discuss preliminary notions of the interplay between random knots and the energy of a knot.

Prisoners and Autonomy: Implications for the Informed Consent Process with Vulnerable Populations

Abstract: This article uses certain essential characteristics of the principle of autonomy to explore the issue of prisoners' rights to decision-making and action in general, and research participation in particular. Exploring the moral principle of autonomy and its importance in furthering human rights will inform nurses who are conducting research with prisoners or other vulnerable populations.

Hormone Replacement Therapy: Evaluating the Risks and Benefits

Abstract: Objective : To review the literature related to the benefits and risks of postmenopausal hormone replacement therapy (HRT). Data sources : Computerized searches on MEDLINE and CINAHL. Study selection : Articles from indexed journals in the English language related to the topics in this review and published after 1986 (except for earlier classic pieces) were evaluated. Data extraction : Data were extracted and information was organized about HRT under the following headings: indications, risks, contraindications, management of therapy, and evaluation of risks and benefits. Data synthesis : Hormone replacement therapy is used to treat symptoms of estrogen deficiency and to prevent disease. The small risk of breast cancer associated with HRT is outweighed by the beneficial effects of such therapy in preventing cardiovascular disease and osteoporosis. Conclusions : Evidence suggests that HRT should be offered to all postmenopausal women in whom it is not contraindicated. Ideally, each woman should decide whether to receive HRT after weighing the risks and benefits. Additional research is needed on the effects of different doses, types of estrogen and progestin, and treatment duration, and on which HRT regimen offers the best risk‐benefit profile.