cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Scaled demagnetization models: susceptibility, resonant and relaxation frequency prediction compared to magnetic composite measurements

Maxwell-Garnett Theory (MGT), Bruggeman Effective Medium Theory (BEMT), Coherent Model Approximation (CMA), Scaled Effective Medium Theory (ScEMT) and models of Schlomann (E. Schlomann, Phys. Rev. B, 182, 7, 632 (10 June 1969) and E. Schlomann, Conf. on Mag. and Mag. Materials, AIEE Spec. Publ. T-91, 600 (1956)) are applied to predict magnetic susceptibility, resonant and relaxation frequency in polymer-magnetic particle composites. Particulates had aspect ratios near unity; bulk low frequency susceptibilities ranging from approximately 5 to 4000 and particle volume fractions between 1 and 100%. Previous publications demonstrated that ScEMT improved the prediction of DC susceptibility as compared to classical models. This paper first modifies BEMT and ScEMT for volume fractions below about 10%. A ScEMT based model of composite resonant frequency is presented and compared to MGT, CMA models and measurement. Model and measurement comparisons of resonant frequency are followed by model-measurement comparisons of relaxation frequency. CMA, MGT, models of Schlomann, and volumetric scaled modifications of Schlomann are tested in the relaxation frequency study. The paper emphasizes the broad application of the models and therefore composite data for a wide range of particulate chemistries are presented ScEMT predictions of susceptibility and resonant frequency continue to show reasonable agreement with measurement and represent improvement over the CMA and MGT models. ScEMT modifications to Schlomann show overall best agreement with relaxation frequency measurement. CMA and MGT are most accurate for modest susceptibility (~ < 100) while ScEMT modified Schlomann models are most accurate for large susceptibility.
Family Medicine Patient and Physician Attitudes Toward Climate Change and Health in Wisconsin

Introduction Climate change is an increasingly relevant public health issue attracting increasing amounts of attention. Despite family medicine being at the front line for public health, no recent studies have assessed the opinions of physicians and patients regarding climate change and health in the family medicine setting. Methods Surveys were distributed to adult patients in the waiting rooms of 4 University of Wisconsin Department of Family Medicine and Community Health clinics. Four hundred three patient surveys were collected, for an 86% response rate. An online survey was distributed to all University of Wisconsin Department of Family Medicine and Community Health physicians. Fifty-eight surveys were collected for a 32% response rate. Results Forty-four percent of patients believe climate change is currently affecting their community's health. Patients have high trust in their physician regarding environmental issues (median=4 out of 5), and 6% of patients ranked their physician as a top source of information on this topic. Sixty-four percent of physicians believe climate change is affecting their patients' health, and 17% are comfortable counseling patients about climate change and health. Although 71% of physicians believe climate change is relevant to primary care, 31% believe that physicians should have an active role in discussing climate change with patients. Conclusions Patients and physicians are concerned about climate change and its health implications. Patient data reveals that physicians are highly trusted but underutilized sources. However, physicians are unsure of their role in addressing this topic. Thus, a large opportunity exists for family physicians to educate patients on the emerging issue of climate change and health.
Obesity: Scope, Lifestyle Interventions, and Medical Management

Obesity is a public health epidemic in the United States, with implications for patients across many organ systems. Despite improvements in understanding the pathophysiology and increasing number of therapies for obesity, its prevalence continues to rise. The purpose of this review is to provide the interventional radiologist with an understanding of (1) the epidemiology of obesity; (2) the impact of obesity on patients and the healthcare system; (3) the causes of obesity; (4) conservative management of obesity; and (5) pharmacologic management of obesity.
A spatial neighborhood methodology for computing and analyzing lymph node carcinoma similarity in precision medicine.

Abstract Precision medicine seeks to tailor therapy to the individual patient, based on statistical correlates from patients who are similar to the one under consideration. These correlates can and should go beyond genetics, and in general, beyond tabular or array data that can be easily represented computationally and compared. For example, in many types of cancer, cancer treatment and toxicity depend in large measure on the spatial disease spread—e.g., metastasizes to regional lymph nodes in head and neck cancer. However, there is currently a lack of methodology for integrating spatial information when considering patient similarity. We present a novel modeling methodology for the comparison of cancer patients within a cohort, based on the spatial spread of the lymph nodes affected in each patient. The method uses a topological map, bigrams, and hierarchical clustering to group patients based on their similarity. We compare this approach against a nonspatial (categorical) similarity approach where patients are binned solely by their affected nodes. We present similarity results on a 582 head and neck cancer patient cohort, along with two visual abstractions for analysis of the results, and we present clinician feedback. Our novel methodology partitions a patient cohort into clinically meaningful groups more susceptible to treatment side-effects. Such spatially-aware similarity approaches can help maximize the effectiveness of each patient’s treatment.
Distress Variance and Specificity of Symptom Dimensions in Posttraumatic Stress Disorder: a Quadripartite Perspective

The relation of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) to other forms of psychopathology is complex as diagnostic criteria include symptoms of both mood- and anxiety-related conditions. Drawing from Watson’s (2009) quadripartite model of comorbidity, the current study examined (a) the association of PTSD symptom dimensions with indices of generalized distress, (b) the specificity of PTSD symptom dimensions for core aspects of anxiety and depression, and (c) the unique associations of symptom dimensions with markers of positive emotionality, somatic arousal, generalized distress, and cumulative trauma history. Confirmatory analyses were used to model symptom dimensions in help-seeking survivors of intimate partner violence (N = 238; 51.7% White/Non-Hispanic). Latent markers of positive emotionality, somatic arousal, and generalized distress were also estimated. A 3-factor version of the Simms et al. (2002) Dysphoria model was identified as a preferred solution, with Intrusion and Avoidance criteria collapsed on a common dimension. Analyses revealed moderate correlations of generalized distress with Intrusion-Avoidance, Dysphoria, and Hyperarousal dimensions (r = .30–.38). Intrusion-Avoidance and Hyperarousal factors evidenced specificity for the core aspects of anxiety while Dysphoria demonstrated an association with the characteristic features of depression when controlling for nonspecific distress. Hyperarousal was the only symptom dimension holding a unique association with cumulative trauma controlling for somatic arousal, positive emotionality, and generalized distress. Results offer preliminary support for the specificity of core dimensions of PTSD above and beyond the influence of nonspecific distress.
Divide & Concur: Separate Opinions & Legal Change

To the extent concurring opinions elicit commentary at all, it is largely contempt. They are condemned for muddying the clarity of the law, fracturing the court, and diminishing the authoritative voice of the majority. But what if this neglect, or even disdain, of concurring opinions, is off the mark? In this article, we argue for the importance of concurring opinions, demonstrating how they serve as the pulse and compass of legal change. Concurring opinions let us know what it is happening below the surface of the law, thereby encouraging litigants to push the law in particular directions. This is particularly true of a type of concurrence we identify here for the first time: the “pivotal” concurrence. Pivotal concurrences occur when one or more members of a court majority also choose to write separately, undercutting the majority’s rule in the case. Under the Supreme Court’s “rule of five,” lower courts ought to disregard pivotal concurrences and adhere to the majority opinion. But as we show here, that is hardly the case. Utilizing a dataset created for this purpose, we demonstrate that pivotal concurrences are more common than one might think, are becoming yet more so, and — despite the Supreme Court’s admonition to the contrary — taken quite seriously by lower courts. Especially in constitutional, salient cases, lower courts appear to disregard a binding majority opinion in favor of the path offered by the concurrence. Rather than condemning this, we rely on the historical development of concurrences to show the vital function they play in motivating and smoothing the way for legal change. Contrary to conventional wisdom, we argue, there is beauty in a fractured court. Precisely in those cases that are most high-stakes and most contentious, it is important that the Justices reveal their individual views. Those views publicly send essential signals to litigants and lawyers about where legal change is possible, and where it is not, helping both to temper expectations, and to move the law itself.
Patterns of Daily Physical Activity and Sedentary Behaviors in Recent Lung Transplant Recipients

Purpose Greater physical activity (PA) and less time in sedentary behavior are associated with better recovery post lung transplantation and reduced all-cause mortality. The aim of this analysis was to describe and examine associations between participant characteristics and objectively measured activity among recent lung transplant recipients (LTRs). Methods In this descriptive study, actigraph accelerometers were used to measure baseline PA for 20 LTRs enrolled in an ongoing telerehabilitation intervention study. Participants were instructed to wear the accelerometer during waking hours for 7 days. Average time spent in sedentary and moderate-to-vigorous PA (MVPA) were calculated in minutes per day. Spearman correlations were used to examine the relationships between activity measures and baseline characteristics (age, sex, body mass index (BMI), underlying lung condition, length of stay (LOS) of transplant hospitalization, hypertension stage, Charlson Comorbidity Index Scores (CCI), and days post-transplantation). Results Baseline PA data were collected at a mean of 252±131 days post-transplantation. LTRs were mostly white (95%) and female (60%) with a mean age of 55.6±13.4 years. Most participants had a double lung transplant (90%), non-obstructive lung disease (60%), elevated blood pressure (55%), normal BMI (50%), and scored ≤3 on the CCI (80%). The mean LOS for transplant hospitalization was 25.8±11.4 days. Participants wore the actigraph accelerometers for an average of 6.8±0.6 days. Time spent in sedentary behavior and MVPA were 700±97 and 15±14 min/day, respectively. Time spent in sedentary behavior was significantly higher among males (757±112 vs. 662±67 p=.045). CCI (r=.482, p=.031), days post-transplantation (r=.597, p=.005), and sex (r=.460, p=.041) were significantly positively correlated with time spent in sedentary behavior. No other significant correlations were found between PA measures and baseline characteristics. Conclusion Participants spend the majority of the day in sedentary behavior and had less than desirable levels of MVPA. Comorbidity index, days post-transplantation, and sex were found to be moderately correlated with sedentary time. Further studies are planned to evaluate physical activity patterns of LTRs over time and examine the influence on lung transplantation recovery.
TGF-β Signaling in Liver, Pancreas, and Gastrointestinal Diseases and Cancer

Genetic alterations affecting transforming growth factor–β (TGF-β) signaling are exceptionally common in diseases and cancers of the gastrointestinal system. As a regulator of tissue renewal, TGF-β signaling and the downstream SMAD-dependent transcriptional events play complex roles in the transition from a noncancerous disease state to cancer in the gastrointestinal tract, liver, and pancreas. Furthermore, this pathway also regulates the stromal cells and the immune system, which may contribute to evasion of the tumors from immune-mediated elimination. Here, we review the involvement of the TGF-β pathway mediated by the transcriptional regulators SMADs in disease progression to cancer in the digestive system. The review integrates human genomic studies with animal models that provide clues toward understanding and managing the complexity of the pathway in disease and cancer.
Possibilities of International Intellectual History

We brought together a group of scholars to discuss 'Foundations of Modern International Theory' by David Armitage, confident that it would produce a vibrant conversation at the intersection of political theory and International Relations. Contributors include Kimberley Hutchings, Jens Bartelson, Edward Keene, Lea Ypi and Helen Kinsella, with a response by David Armitage.
Future Experimental Problems in Photoionization

In trying to determine where we go from here on the subject of photoionization it is perhaps profitable to ask what are the goals that we seek.
Simultaneous incorporations of two anticancer drugs into DNA. The structures of formaldehyde-cross-linked adducts of daunorubicin-d(CG(araC)GCG) and doxorubicin-d(CA(araC)GTG) complexes at high resolution

Abstract Anthracycline antibiotics (notably daunorubicin (DAU) and doxorubicin (DOX)) and nucleoside analog arabinosylcytosine (araC or aC) are important anticancer drugs. They are sometimes used together in the treatment of certain cancers. Both classes of compounds act by blocking DNA replication and transcription. To probe whether both drugs can be incorporated simultaneously into DNA and the possible structural consequences, we carried out x-ray diffraction analyses of the complexes between DAU/DOX and araC-containing DNA hexamers cross-linked with formaldehyde. The crystal structures were determined to high resolution (DAU-CGaCGCG, 1.2 A, space group P4(1)2(1)2, R = 0.182, 3275 reflections; DOX-CAaCGTG, 1.5 A, space group C2, R = 0.175, 3359 reflections), and they are similar to those of the previously studied DAU- and DOX-DNA complexes, despite different crystal packings. Two DAU/DOX molecules intercalate at both ends of the helix with their amino sugars in the minor groove. As in the structure of DAU-CGCGCG (Wang, A.H.-J., Gao, Y.-G., Liaw, Y.-C., and Li, Y.K. (1991) Biochemistry 30, 3812-3815), a covalent methylene bridge (from formaldehyde) between the N3' of daunosamine and the N2 of the guanine is formed in both adducts. In DOX-CAaCGTG, the two halves are slightly different with a root-mean-square deviation of 0.322 A between them. The O14 hydroxyls of the intercalated DOXs are within hydrogen bond distances to the O2P atoms of the A2p(aC3) and A8p(AC9) steps. The O2'-hydroxyl group from araC does not affect the binding of DAU-DOX or the conformation of the drug-DNA complexes. The results suggest that three major drug modifications on DNA, i.e., intercalation, covalent bond formation, and nucleoside analog incorporation, can coexist in the same DNA molecule without difficulty. When they occur in close proximity in DNA, they may provide an additive inhibitory effect for the target enzymes.
Image Reconstruction from VLBI Amplitude and Phase Closure Data

A two step procedure is developed for the determination of the angular structure of the compact components of radio sources from observations made with very long baseline interferometry (VLBI). The first step is to fit a model composed of circularly symmetric Gaussian components to the observations. Then this, or any other, model and closure phase information is used to predict visibility phases which, when paired with the corresponding visibility amplitude observation, are combined in a direct synthesis; the resulting map is deconvolved from the point source response by means of the “CLEAN” procedure. If necessary, the “cleaned” components can be used as a starting model to predict visibility phases and the process iterated. The initial model in many cases may be as simple as a point source. Convergence of this process appears to be quite rapid, requiring only a few iterations when the source is simple or the starting model is good. These two steps for source mapping can be used either together or separately. Examples are given using data generated from test models.
Genetic Inheritance and Population Genetics

Variation in DNA sequence produces genetic polymorphisms (Greek: many forms). A polymorphism is any DNA sequence in which the less common allele occurs at a frequency of 1% or greater. The first polymorphisms that were identified were those defining the serologic blood groups. Subsequently, many more polymorphisms have been identified
Retirement Investing: A New Approach

This paper proposes a new approach to investing for retirement that takes advantage of recent market innovations and advances in finance theory to improve the risk/reward opportunities available to individual investors before and after retirement. The approach introduces three new elements: - It uses inflation-protected bonds to hedge a minimum standard of living after retirement. - It takes account of a person's willingness to postpone retirement. - It uses option "ladders" to lever growth in retirement income.
RNA Polymerase II Holoenzyme and Transcription Factors

Transcription of protein-encoding genes requires a host of auxiliary factors that assemble with RNA polymerase II on promoter DNA. Keywords: transcription; initiation; RNA polymerase II; general transcription factor; core promoter; holoenzyme
Automatic Critical Event Extraction and Semantic Interpretation by Looking-Inside

Data-driven systems are becoming prevalent for driver assistance systems and with large scale data collection such as from the 100-Car Study and the second Strategic Highway Research Program (SHRP2), there is a need for automatic extraction of critical driving events and semantic characterization of driving. This is especially necessary for videos looking at the driver since manual extraction and annotation is time-consuming and subjective. This labeling process is often overlooked and undervalued, even though data mining is the first critical step in the design and development of machine vision based algorithms for predictive, safety systems. In this paper, we define and implement quantitative measures of vocabularies often used by data reductionist when labeling videos of looking at the driver. This is demonstrated on a significantly large sum of data containing almost 200 minutes (600 000 frames total from two videos of looking-in) of multiple drivers collected by UCSD-LISA. We qualitatively show the advantages of automatically extracting such information on this relatively large scale data.
A retrospective look at website accessibility over time

Websites were retrospectively analysed to study the effects that technological advances in web design have had on accessibility for persons with disabilities. A random sample of general websites and a convenience sample of US government websites were studied and compared for the years 1997 – 2002. Web accessibility barrier (WAB) and complexity scores were calculated. Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) and Tukey's HSD were used to determine differences among years for general sites. Repeated measures of ANOVA were used to analyse trends in US government sites, and Pearson's correlation coefficient (r) was computed to evaluate the relationship between accessibility and complexity. Random websites become progressively inaccessible as complexity increases. US government websites remain accessible while increasing in complexity. Increasing complexity, often caused by adding complex components to a Webpage, doesn't have to contribute to increasing barriers to accessibility: US government websites remain accessible de...
On the generation of lift forces in random soft porous media

In this paper, we examine the generation of pressure and lift forces in a random soft fibrous media layer that is confined between two planar surfaces, an infinite horizontal lower boundary and a horizontal inclined upper boundary, in the lubrication limit where the characteristic thickness of the fibre layer H ≪ L the length of the inclined surface. The model for the fibre layer is a Brinkman equation and the Darcy permeability Kp is described by the widely used Carman–Kozeny equation for random porous media. Two cases are considered: (a) an inclined upper boundary which slides freely on top of a stationary fibre layer which is firmly attached to the lower boundary and (b) an inclined stationary upper boundary with an attached fibre layer in which the horizontal lower boundary slides freely in its own plane beneath it. Superficially, the problems appear equivalent to the classical problem for a slider bearing where the solutions for the pressure distribution and lift force are independent of which boundary is moving. In this problem there is an optimum compression ratio k = h1/h2 = 2.2, where h1 and h2 are the heights at the leading and trailing edges, for maximum lift force. However, this symmetry is lost if the intervening space is filled with a soft porous fibrous material since the Brinkman equation is not invariant under a transformation of coordinates in which the inherently unsteady problem in case (a) is transformed to a steady reference frame in which the inclined upper boundary is stationary and the horizontal boundary with the adhered fibre layer moves below it. Although in the steady reference frame case (a) now appears to resemble case (b), the solutions are strikingly different and depend critically on the value of the dimensionless fibre interaction layer thickness . For α ≪ 1 the solutions for both cases approach the classical solution for a slider bearing. For α ≫ 1 we show, using asymptotic analysis that the solutions diverge dramatically. In case (a) the pressure and lift force increase as α2 and asymptotically approach a limiting behaviour for large values of α, first predicted in Feng and Weinbaum (J. Fluid Mech., vol. 422, 2000, p. 288), while in case (b) the pressure and lift force decay as α−2 since the inclined upper boundary is screened by the fibre layer and the amount of fluid dragged through the fluid gap decreases as α increases and vanishes for α ≫ 1. The solution in case (a), where the inclined upper boundary moves, is of particular interest since it reveals the potential to generate enormous lift forces using commercially available inexpensive soft porous materials provided the lateral leakage at the edge of the planform can be eliminated through the use of a channel with impermeable sidewalls as first proposed in the work by Wu, Andreopolous and Weinbaum (Phys. Rev. Lett., vol. 93, 2004, p. 194501). The behaviour is illustrated for both a toboggan sliding in such a channel and a larger planform that might be useful in commercial transportation.
Laparoscopic lymph node dissection in the evaluation and management of patients with pelvic malignancy

Objective : This retrospective investigation describes our experience with laparoscopic pelvic and paraaortic lymph node dissection at a military medical center. Methods : The charts of all patients undergoing laparoscopic pelvic and paraaortic lymph node dissection between July 1992 and May 1994 were reviewed for age, weight, cancer type, tumor stage, operative procedures, estimated blood loss, complications, number and pathologic results of lymph nodes removed, preoperative computed tomography findings, and postoperative therapy. Results: The study group was composed of 20 patients, of which 15 had cervical cancer, 2 had ovarian cancer, and the rest had other pelvic malignancies. The mean age was 46 years old, with a mean weight of 155 pounds. The average number of lymph nodes removed was 26, with 9 of the 20 patients having positive nodes. Only one patient had preoperative radiographic evidence of lymphadenopathy. Mean estimated blood loss was 224 cc. Four patients required open procedures, two for bleeding during the laparoscopic node dissection and two who were unable to be completed through the laparoscope for technical reasons. Radical hysterectomy was avoided in two of the studied patients after finding positive lymph nodes. We conclude that in a military medical center, laparoscopic pelvic and paraaortic lymph node dissection in patients with certain pelvic malignancies is feasible and helps guide the management of these patients.
Dermal contact with toluene diisocyanate (TDI) produces respiratory tract hypersensitivity in guinea pigs.

Abstract The occurrence of pulmonary hypersensitivity to TDI in industrial workers has been well documented. It is generally assumed that sensitivity results from inhalation of TDI vapors in the workplace. This has been supported by an animal model for pulmonary sensitivity based on repeated inhalation of TDI (Karol et al. , 1980). Industrial workers are also exposed to TDI through skin contact frequently as a result of spills or splashes. In the current study the possibility of dermal exposures resulting in pulmonary sensitivity was investigated using guinea pigs as an animal model. TDI in concentrations ranging from 1 to 100% was applied to dorsal sites on guinea pigs. Skin sensitivity (contact sensitivity) to TDI was apparent by the seventh day following exposure. After fourteen days, animals were additionally evaluated for TDI sensitivity by serologic analysis and by bronchial provocation challenge. Antibodies to TDI were detected using passive cutaneous anaphylaxis, double diffusion in gel, and radiolabeled antigen binding (Farr) assays. Antibodies were specific for TDI and showed little, if any, cross-reactivity with hexamethylene diisocyanate (HDI), diphenylmethane diisocyanate (MDI), or dicyclohexylmethane diisocyanate (hydrogenated MDI). Respiratory hypersensitivity to TDI could be demonstrated by inhalation challenge with 0.005 ppm TDI, or aerosols of either TDI-protein conjugates or conjugates of p -tolyl isocyanate with protein. The development of respiratory hypersensitivity as a result of dermal contact with TDI emphasizes the importance of careful workplace practices and suggests reevaluation of the role of inhalation and/or dermal contact in causing pulmonary sensitization of workers.
Mechanism of the electric-field effect in the high-Tc cuprates.

The origin of the large electric field effect in the high-${\mathit{T}}_{\mathit{c}}$ superconductors has been identified by measuring the field effects in ${\mathrm{Bi}}_{2}$${\mathrm{Sr}}_{2}$${\mathrm{CaCu}}_{2}$${\mathrm{O}}_{8+\mathit{x}}$ and comparing them with those in ${\mathrm{YBa}}_{2}$${\mathrm{Cu}}_{3}$${\mathrm{O}}_{7\mathrm{\ensuremath{-}}\mathit{x}}$. In contrast to the predictions of models based on field-driven oxygen rearrangement, large field effects are observed in the ${\mathrm{Bi}}_{2}$${\mathrm{Sr}}_{2}$${\mathrm{CaCu}}_{2}$${\mathrm{O}}_{8+\mathit{x}}$ system, providing evidence that the effects arise from field-driven movement of the mobile charge carriers in the superconductor and thus are a generic property of the high-${\mathit{T}}_{\mathit{c}}$ compounds.
Image restoration using fast Fourier and wavelet transforms

Pure nuclear quadrupole resonance (NQR) of 14N nuclei is quite promising as a method for detecting explosives such as RDX and contraband narcotics such as cocaine and heroin in quantities of interest. Pure NQR is conducted without an external applied magnetic field, so potential concerns about damage to magnetically encoded data or exposure of personnel to large magnetic fields are not relevant. Because NQR frequencies of different compounds are quite distinct, we do not encounter false alarms from the NQR signals of other benign materials. We have constructed a proof-of-concept NQR explosives detector which interrogates a volume of 300 liters (10 ft3). With minimal modification to the existing explosives detector, we can detect operationally relevant quantities of (free base) cocaine within the 300-liter inspection volume in 6 seconds. We are presently extending this approach to the detection of heroin base and also examining 14N and 35,37Cl pure NQR for detection of the hydrochloride forms of both materials. An adaptation of this NQR approach may be suitable for scanning personnel for externally carried contraband and explosives. We first outline the basics of the NQR approach, highlighting strengths and weaknesses, and then present representative results for RDX and cocaine detection. We also present a partial compendium of relevant NQR parameters measured for some materials of interest.© (1994) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Three proposals for improving short-term on-street parking

Abstract In most urban centers today, on-street metered parking systems allocate scarce short-term parking space in an unreliable and inequitable way. These systems are unreliable in the sense that a driver has a limited chance of finding a short-term parking space reasonably close to his or her destination. They are inequitable in that they fail to accurately serve equally well all segments of the parking public and the businesses these segments patronize. This paper describes three low-cost proposals designed to improve the availability of short-term on-street parking and tests them on a small scale with a simulation model.
Testing the self-perception explanation of dissonance phenomena: on the salience of premanipulation attitudes.

A controversy has arisen over the "interpersonal simulations" used by Bern to support his contention that his self-perception theory accounts for cognitive dissonance phenomena. Specifically, the critics challenge the implication of his analysis that the premanipulation attitudes of subjects in dissonance experiments are not salient in their postmanipulation phenomenology. The present investigation answers this challenge by demonstrating that subjects in a typical forced-compliance experiment are not only unable to recall their premanipulation attitudes correctly, but they actually perceive their postmanipulation attitudes to be identical to their premanipulation attitudes. Accordingly, they do not perceive any attitude "change." The epistemological aspects of the interpersonal simulation methodology are also discussed.
Espiritismo in the Puerto Rican Community: A New World Recreation With the Elements of Kongo Ancestor Worship

Throughout the African world, traditional communities have retained the practice of venerating the spirit of the ancestors. Additionally, while weathering the onslaught of enslavement and colonization, Africans and their descendants have continued to venerate their ancestors and African gods throughout the diaspora. There is significant information available on the African-based religions developed in Brazil, Cuba, Santo Domingo, Haiti, Trinidad, Jamaica, Suriname, and the United States. One of the diaspora locations that has been little studied by scholars regarding African religious continuities has been Puerto Rico. This article seeks to examine and trace ancestor worshipespiritismo-in the Puerto Rican community as a probable legacy of African cultural traditions with specific focus on the African Kongo cultures brought to the island by enslaved Africans. The Kongo cultures being addressed use the definition of historian Robert Farris Thompson set forth in his book Flash of the Spirit (1984):
Resonance Raman studies of ETF dehydrogenase (an iron sulfur flavoprotein)

ETF Dehydrogenase is an iron sulfur flavoprotein responsible for the transfer of electrons between electron transfer flavoprotein (ETF) and CoQ of the electron transport chain. We have determined the resonance Raman spectrum of this enzyme observing in the process at least seven of thirteen flavin bands in the 1100cm-1-1600 cm-1 region of the Raman spectrum. The positions of three of these bands, II, IX, and X (see Figure I and Table I for band numbering system) in ETF dehydrogenase is very similar to their positions in aqueous solution of flavins in which water is hydrogen bonded to N-1, N-5, C=0(2), C=0(4), and N-H(3) of flavin. Conversely the positions of the flavin Raman bands are considerably shifted from those of flavin in nonhydrogen bonding solvent. The positions of bands II, IX, and X are nearly identical to those in the flavoprotein glutathione reductase; x-ray structural investigations on this enzyme indicate that there is extensive hydrogen bonding between FAD and protein in this molecule. A previous study in our laboratory has demonstrated that metal complexation at N-5 and C=0(4) with either Ru or Ag produces large shifts in the positions of Raman bands II, VI, IX, and X. None of these shifts are observed in ETF dehydrogenase indicating that there is no direct inner sphere coordination of Fe to flavin. In addition to the Raman bands of flavin observed in our spectrum, we also observe one band that is in the Fe-S stretching region observed for a variety of Fe-S proteins. This band is located at 331 cm-1. The frequency of the band corresponds to the 335 cm-1 band associated with the strongest Fe-S stretching mode in the 4Fe-4S protein ferrodoxin from C. pasterianum. The observed frequency is quite different from that of the 3Fe-3S proteins such as ferrodoxin(II) from D. gigas. Finally, ETF dehydrogenase shows no loss of activity or visual evidence of photodegradation in the laser beam as most other FeS proteins do.
Dealing with failures during failure recovery of distributed systems

One of the characteristics of autonomic systems is self recovery from failures. Self recovery can be achieved through sensing failures, planning for recovery and executing the recovery plan to bring the system back to a normal state. For various reasons, however, additional failures are possible during the process of recovering from the initial failure. Handling such secondary failures is important because they can cause the original recovery plan to fail and can leave the system in a complicated state that is worse than before. In this paper techniques are identified to preserve consistency while dealing with such failures that occur during failure recovery.
Quantification of indicator dye concentration in ocular blood vessels

Abstract The behavior of an indocyanine green (ICG) dye bolus as it passes through the ocular blood vessels provides a calibration standard which permits quantitative dye concentration measurements. Unlike fluorescein, ICG dye can be delivered to the eye in sufficiently high concentrations by intravenous injection that concentration fluorescence quenching takes place in the ocular blood vessels. The relative maximum fluorescence intensity occurring in every blood vessel in which quenching is observed always corresponds to a 0·03 mg/ml dye concentration. Knowing this point and dye concentration in blood as a function of intensity permits routine quantification of dye concentration in blood vessels of the living eye.
Crystalline Dimethacrylate Monomers

Certain dimethacrylate monomers can be prepared and purified by recrystallization. On mixing, the crystals liquefy by forming a ternary eutectic. The colorless oily liquid is suitable for use in composite formulations.
Effects of situation familiarity and financial incentives on use of the anchoring and adjustment heuristic for probability assessment

Abstract Three experiments tested (1) whether anchoring (and insufficient adjustment) will occur during generation of subjective probabilities and (2) whether situation familiarity and performance-contingent incentives will reduce any anchoring effect. A total of 336 business school students either chose between two alternatives based on a preliminary judgment of relatively unlikely (low anchor) or likely (high anchor) event probabilities before generating final probability assessments or were in a no-choice control condition. The results indicate a strong anchoring effect. The anchoring effect is so dominant that increasing situational familiarity did not result in decreased anchoring. Monetary/recognition incentives for accurate judgments did, however, result in significantly less anchoring. Implications are suggested for research on judgment processes and the concept of professional judgment expertise.
Perceived Discrimination, Cashier Metaperceptions, Embarrassment, and Confidence as Influencers of Coupon Use: An Ethnoracial–Socioeconomic Analysis

Abstract This research investigates how in-store interactions with cashiers and other retail personnel influence consumers’ use of coupons. To explore this phenomenon, we develop and test a model whereby perceived discrimination and customer metaperceptions of cashier attitudes influence both embarrassment and confidence in using coupons which, in turn, affect the number of coupons redeemed. Importantly, results differ for different ethnoracial–socioeconomic groups and show that perceived discrimination influences some consumers’ coupon use. Moreover, the role of the cashier is crucial in encouraging coupon use among some groups of customers. The managerial implications for supporting coupon use at the point of purchase among diverse consumers are discussed.
In vivo magnetic resonance imaging of the human limbic white matter

The limbic system mediates memory, behavior, and emotional output in the human brain, and is implicated in the pathology of Alzheimer’s disease and a wide spectrum of related neurological disorders. In vivo magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of structural components comprising the limbic system and their interconnections via white matter pathways in the human brain has helped define current understanding of the limbic model based on the classical circuit proposed by Papez. MRI techniques, including diffusion MR imaging, provide a non-invasive method to characterize white matter tracts of the limbic system, and investigate pathological changes that affect these pathways in clinical settings. This review focuses on delineation of the anatomy of major limbic tracts in the human brain, namely, the cingulum, the fornix and fimbria, and the stria terminalis, based on in vivo MRI contrasts. The detailed morphology and intricate trajectories of these pathways that can be identified using relaxometry-based and diffusion-weighted MRI provide an important anatomical reference for evaluation of clinical disorders commonly associated with limbic pathology.
Strengthening Private Cloud Security through effective random key Facet

Since new Computing Technology requires users to entrust their valuable data to the cloud providers, so there has been an increasing demand on security and privacy of the outsourced data. The Key based Hierarchy feature will not only strengthen the privacy of the private cloud but is comparatively more efficient against the enhanced facets in private cloud. The proposed scheme is scalable, reliable and flexible which provide secure access to the outsourced data to the cloud. The scope of proposed work is to develop a better security implication for private cloud with changing facets. Also to enhance the cloud security techniques through randomized motion evolved as a paradigm to concatenate with the hierarchical key based security. The 4 specific objectives for this research work includes Comparative Analysis of Security techniques for Secure cloud data and identifying major barriers for cloud security, propose a security technique for security in private Cloud Environment with changing facets, analysing and proposing a model for security with comparison with grids and their success rate..
Orientation of Follicle-stimulating Hormone (FSH) Subunits Complexed with the FSH Receptor β SUBUNIT TOWARD THE N TERMINUS OF EXODOMAIN AND α SUBUNIT TO EXOLOOP 3

Follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) comprises an α subunit and a β subunit, whereas the FSH receptor consists of two halves with distinct functions: the N-terminal extracellular exodomain and C-terminal membrane-associated endodomain. FSH initially binds to exodomain, and the resulting FSH/exodomain complex modulates the endodomain and generates signal. However, it has been difficult to determine which subunit of FSH contacts the exodomain or endodomain and in what orientation FSH interacts with them. To address these crucial issues, the receptor was Ala-scanned and the hormone subunits were probed with photoaffinity labeling with receptor peptides corresponding to the N-terminal region of the exodomain and exoloop 3 of the endodomain. Our results show that both regions of the receptors are important for hormone binding and signal generation. In addition, the FSH β subunit is specifically labeled with the N-terminal peptide, whereas the α subunit is labeled with the exoloop 3 peptide. These contrasting results show that the FSH β subunit is close to the N-terminal region and that the α subunit is projected toward exoloop 3 in the endodomain. The results raise the fundamental question whether the α subunit, common among the glycoprotein hormones, plays a major role in generating the hormone signal common to all glycoprotein hormones.
Who teaches whom? Race and the distribution of novice teachers

Abstract This paper focuses on one potentially important contributor to the achievement gap between black and white students, differences in their exposure to novice teachers. We present a model that explores the pressures that may lead school administrators to distribute novice teachers unequally across or within schools. Using a rich micro-level data set provided by the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction, we find that novice teachers are distributed among schools and among classrooms within schools in a way that disadvantages black students.
Kv3.4, a key signalling molecule controlling the cell cycle and proliferation of human arterial smooth muscle cells

This editorial refers to ‘Cell cycle-dependent expression of Kv3.4 channels modulates proliferation of human uterine artery smooth muscle cells’ by E. Miguel-Velado et al. , pp. 383–391, this issue. Smooth muscle cells, in contrast to their fully differentiated striated muscle counterparts, display the remarkable property of being able to alter their phenotype in response to environmental changes. Upon exposure to physiological (e.g. hormones, growth factors, etc.) or pathophysiological (e.g. low oxygen tension, mitogenic factors, acidosis) stimuli, vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) can switch their phenotype from a normal contractile state to a non-contractile, proliferative, and migratory behaviour that plays a prime function in the structural remodelling of blood vessels. This phenotypic switch is most often detrimental in disease states since the partial or complete obstruction of the lumen by thickening of the muscle layer or media causes ischaemia and impaired perfusion of the tissue.1–3 The so-called 'plasticity' of VSMCs1 has been the subject of intense investigation as it was recognized early to play an important role in the initiation and progression of common human vascular disorders such as systemic and pulmonary hypertension, ischaemic heart disease and stroke, and restenosis following coronary arterial angioplasty.3 The switch from a contractile to a proliferative state is … *Corresponding author. Tel: +1 775 784 1420; fax: +1 775 784 1620, Email: nleblanc{at}medicine.nevada.edu
Plerixafor and pegylated filgrastim: a case of safe and effective hematopoietic stem cell mobilization

Plerixafor and pegylated filgrastim: a case of safe and effective hematopoietic stem cell mobilization
Precision micromachining of CVD diamond films

Abstract The laser ablation technique has been extensively recognized to be a unique method for the micromachining and designing of micro components. Chemical vapor deposited (CVD) diamond films have been processed by various types of pulsed lasers for this purpose. Nanosecond pulsed excimer lasers, and recently femtosecond pulsed lasers have been used for the micromachining of diamond films. Even though the interaction between the laser and the material is limited to the nanosecond to femtosecond range, plasma, induced by ablative material ejection, extends to tens of microseconds. Formation and expansion of the plasma give rise to thermal damage, material ejection and re-deposition, resulting in spoiled interfaces, recast layers, and rippled surfaces. The plasma generated thermal damage has been a major obstruction to micron and submicron micromachining of diamond films. To implement the laser ablation technique to the level of precision, a systematic investigation is required on the plasma interaction. This investigation is mainly focused on a novel approach to compensate for the deleterious plasma–diamond interaction. CVD diamond films were subject to various processing environments, such as atmospheric condition, vacuum condition and gas stream condition. Observed damage depends on behavior of the plasma in the different processing environments. In the gas stream condition, it has been clearly shown that proper dissipation of the high-temperature plasma leads to precisely irradiated surfaces, which are almost free from thermal damage. An emphasis of this research is to achieve maximum dissipation of the high-temperature plasma and proper quenching of the target surface. Based on a nanosecond pulsed excimer laser, technical and fundamental investigations for the precision micromachining are performed. Further investigations of the properties of the laser-irradiated films are also currently in progress, including investigations of laser-induced stress, surface morphologies, surface free energy and electronic properties.
Retinal limits to the detection and resolution of gratings.

The maximum spatial frequency for the detection and resolution of sinusoidal gratings was determined as a function of stimulus location across the visual field. Stimuli were produced directly on the retina as interference fringes, thus avoiding possible loss of image quality, which may occur when the optical system of the eye is used to form the retinal image. Contrary to earlier reports, we found that subjects could detect gratings with spatial frequencies much higher than the resolution limit. At 5° of eccentricity from the fovea, the detection limit was about three times the resolution limit, and this factor increased to about 10 as the test stimulus was moved 35° into the periphery. Quantitative comparison of the data with retinal anatomy and physiology suggests that pattern resolution is limited by the spacing of primate beta (midget) retinal ganglion cells, whereas pattern detection is limited by the size of individual cones.