Damping and decoherence of Fock states in a nanomechanical resonator due to two level systems

We numerically investigate the decay of initial quantum Fock states and their superpositions for a mechanical resonator mode coupled to an environment comprising interacting, damped tunneling two level system (TLS) defects. The cases of one, three, and six near resonant, interacting TLS's are considered in turn and it is found that the resonator displays Ohmic bath like decay behavior with as few as three TLS's.Comment: 28 pages, 24 figures; submitted to Physical Review

Clinical utility of gadobenate dimeglumine in contrast-enhanced MRI of the breast: a review

Breast magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is considered the technique with the highest sensitivity for breast cancer detection. Gadobenate dimeglumine is a gadolinium-based contrast agent (GBCA) that is specifically approved in Europe for breast MRI and which has the highest r1 relaxivity among all GBCAs for this indication. In order to improve the diagnostic performance of breast MRI, several intra-individual crossover studies have evaluated gadobenate dimeglumine as a possible GBCA for this application. This review focuses on the role and advantages of gadobenate dimeglumine as a contrast agent for breast MRI by describing the unique properties of this agent and by summarizing published studies

Playing Editor: Inviting Students Behind the Text

This commentary feature considers the advantages of using textual criticism to teach Shakespeare and using Shakespeare to teach textual criticism, at both the undergraduate and graduate level. First I discuss how to do this in practical terms, by suggesting some specific, concrete activities that bring an editorial approach into the classroom: interactive ‘editorial exercises’ that involve micro to macro textual problems. Then I discuss what is to be gained by teaching textual criticism through Shakespeare. Students can be profoundly transformed into critical thinkers and critical readers in four ways: 1) Healthy skepticism: i.e. undermining trust in editions, editors—and authority; 2) Healthy optimism: i.e. building a feeling of critical community; 3) Defamiliarizing the text and unsettling reading practices; 4) Combining a relish for puzzles, clues, data, detective work with the love of reading. In general this piece aims to be both a practical and philosophical consideration of the intersection of editing, Shakespeare, and teaching.publishedVersio

The Art of Social Justice

As this HJSR special issue on social justice unfolded, it became clear to the editorial team that this publication would be incomplete without addressing the well-documented role of art in social justice movements. We asked two of our managing editors, Jennifer Miles and Laura Dawson, to research and write about this area of social action. They interviewed two artists, a spoken word performer and a visual artist, both of whom understand their art as part of larger social justice projects. These artists raise awareness, highlight obstacles and avenues for change, and create space for solidarity and sanctuary. The following montage situates their artistry within their own biographies and a rich history of social change through art. Mary Virnoche and Jennifer Eichstedt, Editors

HOMETOWN: A Cultural Analysis of a Small Southern Town

In recognition of the fact that in American Society distinctions are made on the basis of race, we are concerned with social organization within the Negro community. In any society where distinctions are made on a racial basis, where the races are segregated, and one is ascribed an inferior status, the kind of social organization that evolves in the segregated community will be characterized by accommodation to the larger society. In the many research monographs on the Negro in the South this theme predominates.2 Up to now, no analysis of the Negro community in the Southwest, specifically in Texas, has been made. It is quite possible that there is so much similarity between the social organization in the Negro community in Texas and those communities in the South which have been more thoroughly investigated that such a study is unnecessary. However, only empirical evidence can establish the assumption as a fact. It was for this reason that the present study was undertaken. The present study is based upon the following hypotheses: 1. That in any society at a particular time the institutional structure is subject to analysis and description. 2. That basically the institutional structure of social organization within any community is similar to that of all other communities within the larger society. Those differences that do exist are a response to geographical, economic, or racial factors, and are differences of degree rather than differences of kind. 3. That social organization in the Negro Community is similar to social organization of the larger community, subject only to those conditions of race which give him an inferior status. The method employed will be descriptive primarily, although statistical data will be relied upon from time to time to support the thesis. 2Sutherland, Robert, Color, Class, and Personality

Chewing gum and impasse-induced self-reported stress

An insoluble anagram task (Zellner et al., 2006) was used to investigate the proposition that chewing gum reduces self-rated stress (Scholey et al., 2009). Using a between-participants design, forty participants performed an insoluble anagram task followed by a soluble anagram task. These tasks were performed with or without chewing gum. Self-rated measures were taken at baseline, post-stressor, and post-recovery task. The insoluble anagram task was found to amplify stress in terms of increases in self-rated stress and reductions in both self-rated calmness and contentedness. However, chewing gum was found not to mediate the level of stress experienced. Furthermore, chewing gum did not result in superior performance on the soluble anagram task. The present study fails to generalise the findings of Scholey et al. to an impasse induced stress that has social components. The explanation for the discrepancy with Scholey et al. is unclear; however, it is suggested that the impossibility of the insoluble anagram task may negate any secondary stress reducing benefits arising from chewing gum-induced task improvement