cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Deep neural network for water/fat separation: Supervised training, unsupervised training, and no training.

Purpose To use a deep neural network (DNN) for solving the optimization problem of water/fat separation and to compare supervised and unsupervised training. Methods The current T 2 ∗ -IDEAL algorithm for solving water/fat separation is dependent on initialization. Recently, DNN has been proposed to solve water/fat separation without the need for suitable initialization. However, this approach requires supervised training of DNN using the reference water/fat separation images. Here we propose 2 novel DNN water/fat separation methods: 1) unsupervised training of DNN (UTD) using the physical forward problem as the cost function during training, and 2) no training of DNN using physical cost and backpropagation to directly reconstruct a single dataset. The supervised training of DNN, unsupervised training of DNN, and no training of DNN methods were compared with the reference T 2 ∗ -IDEAL. Results All DNN methods generated consistent water/fat separation results that agreed well with T 2 ∗ -IDEAL under proper initialization. Conclusion The water/fat separation problem can be solved using unsupervised deep neural networks.
Stability, Instability, and “Backward” Transport in Stratified Fluids

The stratification of entropy and the stratification of angular momentum are closely analogous. The analogy has been developed for a number of different problems in the fluid literature, but its consequences for the behavior of turbulent accretion disks are less appreciated. Of particular interest is the behavior of disks in which angular momentum transport is controlled by convection, and heat transport by dynamical turbulence. In both instances we argue that the transport must proceed "backward" relative to the sense one would expect from a simple enhanced diffusion approach. Reversed angular momentum transport has already been seen in numerical simulations; contragradient thermal diffusion should be amenable to numerical verification as well. These arguments also bear on the observed nonlinear local stability of isolated Keplerian disks: locally generated turbulence in such a disk would require simultaneous inward and outward angular momentum transport, which is, of course, impossible. We also describe a diffusive instability that is the entropy analogue to the magnetorotational instability. It affects thermally stratified layers when Coulomb conduction and a weak magnetic field are present. The plasma must be sufficiently dilute that heat is channeled only along field lines. The criterion for convective instability goes from one of upwardly decreasing entropy to one of upwardly decreasing temperature. The instability remains formally viable if radiative heat transport is also present, but the equilibrium is much more unstable if Coulomb transport is dominant. In that case, the maximum growth rate is of the order of the inverse sound crossing time, independent of the thermal conductivity. The indifference of the growth rate to the conduction coefficient, its simple dynamical scaling, and the replacement in the stability criterion of a conserved quantity (entropy) gradient by a free energy (temperature) gradient are properties similar to those exhibited by the magnetorotational instability.
IMPROVING A POSTERIORI SPATIAL DISCRETIZATION ERROR ESTIMATION FOR SN TRANSPORT BY SINGULAR CHARACTERISTICS TRACKING

Previously, we have developed a novel spatial discretization error estimator, the “residual source” estimator, in which an error transport problem, analogous to the discretized transport equation, is solved to acquire an estimate of the error, with a residual term acting as a fixed source. Like all error estimators, the residual source estimator suffers inaccuracy and imprecision in the proximity of singular characteristics, lines across which the solution is irregular. Estimator performance worsens as the irregularities become more pronounced, especially so if the true solution itself is discontinuous.This work introduces a modification to the residual approximation procedure that seeks to reduce the adverse effects of the singular characteristics on the error estimate. A partial singular characteristic tracking scheme is implemented to reduce the portion of the error in the numerical solution born by irregularities in the true solution. This treated numerical solution informs the residual approximations.The partial singular characteristic tracking scheme greatly enhances the numerical solution for a problem with prominent singular characteristics. The residual approximation and resultant residual source error estimate are likewise improved by the scheme, which only incurs the computational cost of an extra inner iteration.
Cortical Thickness in Bilingual and Monolingual Children: Relationships to Language Use and Language Skill

There is a growing body of evidence based on adult neuroimaging that suggests that the brain adapts to bilingual experiences to support language proficiency. The Adolescent Brain Cognitive Development (ABCD) Study is a useful source of data for evaluating this claim during childhood, as it involves data from a large sample of American children. Using the baseline ABCD Study data collected at ages nine and ten, the goal of this study was to identify differences in cortical thickness between bilinguals and monolinguals and to evaluate how variability in English vocabulary and English use within bilinguals might explain these group differences. We identified bilingual participants as children who spoke a non-English language and were exposed to the non-English language at home. We then identified a matched sample of English monolingual participants based on age, sex, pubertal status, parent education, household income, non-verbal IQ, and handedness. Bilinguals had thinner cortex than monolinguals in widespread cortical regions. Within bilinguals, more English use was associated with greater frontal and parietal cortical thickness; greater English vocabulary was associated with greater frontal and temporal cortical thickness. These findings replicate and extend previous research with bilingual children and highlight unexplained cortical thickness differences between bilinguals and monolinguals.
Synchronous Screen-Based Simulation in Anesthesia Distance Education.

Purpose The aim of the present study was to evaluate the feasibility, acceptability, and utility of synchronous online screen-based simulation (SBS) in anesthesia education. Methods The investigational cohort consisted of 12 second-year nurse anesthesia students enrolled in a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) program. Pairs of students worked with a single instructor online using the same SBS employing a cloud-based peer-to-peer platform and high-fidelity software involving a graphical avatar. During each session, the instructor initially manipulated the avatar through the software scenario with educational pauses to communicate learning content. Thereafter, students proceeded through the same SBS by stating their desired actions, which were then implemented by the instructor. At the conclusion of each session, students were evaluated by an integrated software scoring system, and thereafter they completed a questionnaire rating their distance SBS experience. Results Synchronous online SBS was performed in this manner without difficulty; it was accepted by students as a valuable adjunct to their in-person mannequin-based simulation (MBS) training; and it was perceived as a useful addition to their anesthesia education. Students identified significant value in the isolation of the cognitive component of learning by this teaching methodology. Lack of haptic learning, however, also was seen as a disadvantage of SBS compared to MBS. Students' criticisms of SBS were largely unrelated to use of this technique with synchronous online education, but rather related to general limitations associated with SBS technology. There was a positive correlation between the students' mean post-SBS rating and the automated SBS score (r = 0.832). Conclusion Synchronous online SBS can effectively supplement MBS in an anesthesia training program. Its major perceived advantage appears to be an ability to isolate and reinforce appropriate cognitive skills related to intraoperative care including crisis management. Students who had higher mean post-SBS ratings also had higher automated SBS scores.
The US National Institutes of Health approach to inclusive excellence.

The National Institutes of Health (NIH) is committed to increasing the participation of underrepresented groups in science and medicine, through changes in our funding and recruitment processes. These actions provide a blueprint for the global research community.
Toward Private and Independent Accessible Write-In Voting: A Multimodal Prediction Approach

The overall objective of this research is to design a multimodal system to write-in a candidate’s name that addresses the issues of time, privacy, and accessibility. In order to determine if these issues were met, the design is analyzed and compared against alternate methods of writing-in a candidate’s name. An experiment was performed to assess two aspects of the multimodal system: speech interaction and switch interaction. The research intends to capture and analyze the efficiency and effectiveness of writing-in a candidate’s name anonymously through multimodal interactions. Though the essence of this research embodies universal of design for everyone everywhere, the design and experiments put forth in this paper will focus on the U.S. voting population.
The structure of corpora in SLA research

The field of Second Language Acquisition currently uses L2 error corpora to supplement its primary methodology – grammatical judgment and production tests – for investigating specific hypotheses about the development of interlanguages. This paper argues that large L2 corpora structured according to specific criteria would allow researchers to investigate with greater precision the contribution of the native language in the evolution of interlanguages as well as concepts such as overgeneralisation and end-state grammars. Furthermore, hypotheses posed about interlanguage development after native-like attainment, such as so-called U-shaped development, could be verified. The considerations for building L2 corpora of the future are illustrated by considering the validity and reliability of a multi-level corpora of errors produced by Spanish and Korean speakers learning English.
Relationships between psychological functions tests and selected sport skills of boys in junior high school.

Abstract Junior high school boys (N=181) took part in this study. There were 91 athletes and 90 nonathletes who took five psychological function tests2 and eight sport skill tests to determine (a) whether differences existed in selected psychological functions and selected sport skills between junior high school boy athletes and nonathletes, (b) the degree of relationship between psychological functions and sport skills, (c) the implementation of a six-multiple variation equation in predicting probable individual sport skill scores, and (d) the degree of relationship between a long and short form psychological functions test and a long and short form sport skills test. The Stoelting visual reaction timer apparatus was used to test for simple reaction time. The Howard-Dolman apparatus was used to test for depth perception. The McClure perimeter was used to test for peripheral vision left eye, right eye, and total angle. The sport skill tests used were soccer combination skills and volley; basketball dribbl...
Esophageal cancer screening in achalasia: is there a consensus?

Summary Achalasia is an important but relatively uncommon disorder. While highly effective therapeutic options exist, esophageal cancer remains a long-term potential complication. The risk of esophageal cancer in achalasia remains unclear, with current guidelines recommending against routine endoscopic screening. However, given limited data and conflicting opinion, it is unknown whether consensus regarding screening practices in achalasia among experts exists. A 10-question survey to assess screening practices in achalasia was created and distributed to 28 experts in the area of achalasia. Experts were identified based on publications and meeting presentations in the field. Survey responses were received from 17 of 28 (61%) experts. Wide geographic distribution was seen among respondents, with eight (47%) from Europe or Australia, seven (41%) from the United States, and two (12%) from Asia. Screening for esophageal cancer was inconsistent, with nine (53%) experts endorsing the practice and eight (47%) not. Screening practices did not differ among geographic regions. No consensus regarding the risk for esophageal cancer in achalasia was seen, with three experts reporting no increased risk compared with the general population, eight experts a lifetime risk of 0.1–0.5%, three experts a 0.5–1% risk, two experts a 1–2% risk, and one expert a 3–5% risk. However, these differences in perception of risk did not influence screening practices. Upper endoscopy was utilized among all experts who endorsed screening. However, practices still varied with screening commencing at or within 1 year of diagnosis in two practices compared with 5 and 10 years in three respective practices each. Surveillance intervals also varied, performed every 2 years in four practices, every 3 years in four practices, and every 5 years in one practice. Practice variation in the management of achalasia itself was also seen, with initial treatment with Heller myotomy endorsed by eight experts, pneumatic dilation by five experts, and two each endorsing peroral endoscopic myotomy or no specific preference. In addition, while 82% (14/17) of experts endorsed long-term follow up of patients, no consensus regarding long-term follow up existed, with annual follow up in eight practices, every 3–6 months in three practices, and every 2 years in three practices. Large practice variation in the long-term management of achalasia exists among experts in the field. Only a slight majority of experts endorse screening for esophageal cancer in achalasia, and no consensus exists regarding how surveillance should be structured even among this group. Interestingly, the lack of consensus on cancer screening parallels a lack of agreement on initial treatment of achalasia. These findings suggest a need for greater homogeneity in the management of longstanding achalasia and cancer screening. Further, this study highlights the need for more data on this topic to foster greater agreement.
Teaching and educational notes: Evaluating the accounting professor's journal publications

Abstract Achievement ratings by Accounting chairpersons for publications in selected journals are about the same now as fourteen years ago. However, there has been a sharp reduction in the acceptance rates of journals.
Pleomorphic xanthoastrocytoma presenting with life-threatening hemorrhage in a child

Pleomorphic xanthoastrocytomas are glial-based tumors that arise most frequently in young patients and usually follow a more benign and indolent clinical course than their other glial-based tumor counterparts. These tumors most frequently present with seizures, and only 3 previous case reports exist of hemorrhagic tumor as the clinical presentation. The authors present the first case of life-threatening intracerebral hemorrhage from pleomorphic xanthoastrocytoma in a child.
Remarkably Robust and Correlated Coherence and Antiferromagnetism in (Ce1-xLax)Cu2Ge2

We present magnetic susceptibility, resistivity, specific heat, and thermoelectric power measurements on (Ce(1-x)La(x))Cu2Ge2 single crystals (0≤x≤1). With La substitution, the antiferromagnetic temperature TN is suppressed in an almost linear fashion and moves below 0.36 K, the base temperature of our measurements for x>0.8. Surprisingly, in addition to robust antiferromagnetism, the system also shows low temperature coherent scattering below Tcoh up to ∼0.9 of La, indicating a small percolation limit ∼9% of Ce. Tcoh as a function of magnetic field was found to have different behavior for x 0.9. Remarkably, (Tcoh)(2) at H=0 was found to be linearly proportional to TN. The jump in the magnetic specific heat δCm at TN as a function of TK/TN for (Ce(1-x)La(x))Cu2Ge2 follows the theoretical prediction based on the molecular field calculation for the S=1/2 resonant level model.
Mixture Modeling for Digital Mammogram Display and Analysis

We have devised a mammogram modeling system which greatly simplifies the development of, and can improve the accuracy and consistency of, computer-aided display and analysis algorithms for digital mammography. Our system segments the five major components of a mammogram: background, uncompressed-fat, fat, dense, and muscle. Differences in the amount and distribution of these components account for much of the variation between mammograms. Via segmentation, the corresponding variations are isolated; automated algorithms can consider the components independently or adapt their parameters based on component-specific statistics.
A Compact Single Radiator CRLH-Inspired Circularly Polarized Leaky-Wave Antenna Based on Substrate-Integrated Waveguide

A circularly polarized (CP) CRLH-inspired leaky-wave antenna (LWA) based on substrate-integrated waveguide (SIW) and microstrip delay line is presented. The unit-cell of the proposed periodic antenna consists of two conventional CRLH SIW cells and two quarter-wavelength microstrip lines. The interdigital slots on the CRLH SIW are rotated at $+ 45^\circ $ and $- 45^\circ $ with respect to the wave propagation direction and separated by 90° to create circular polarization. Utilizing the microstrip line instead of the SIW delay section, the total size of the five unit-cell antenna is reduced by 24.4% in comparison to the previous single radiator CP LWA. Furthermore, microstrip lines provide improved matching for broadside radiation as well as better CP purity. The unit-cell characteristics are investigated in detail through dispersion and Bloch impedance analysis. In addition, space harmonic analysis is carried out to explain the radiation mechanism of the proposed antenna. The proposed CRLH-inspired SIW CP antenna operates from 4.2 to 4.85 GHz and frequency scans from $- 25^\circ $ to 26° along the elevation angle. Axial ratio is maintained below 3 dB throughout the operating frequency. The measured results show good agreement with the simulated results.
Warm gas in and around simulated galaxy clusters as probed by absorption lines

Understanding gas flows into and out of the most massive dark matter structures in our Universe, galaxy clusters, is fundamental to understanding their evolution. Gas in clusters is well studied in the hot ($>$ 10$^{6}$ K) and cold ($<$ 10$^{4}$ K) regimes, but the warm gas component (10$^{4}$ - 10$^{6}$ K) is poorly constrained. It is challenging to observe directly, but can be probed through Ly$\alpha$ absorption studies. We produce the first systematic study of the warm gas content of galaxy clusters through synthetic Ly$\alpha$ absorption studies using cosmological simulations of two galaxy clusters produced with Enzo. We explore the spatial and kinematic properties of our cluster absorbers, and show that the majority of the identified absorbers are due to fast moving gas associated with cluster infall from IGM filaments. Towards the center of the clusters, however, the warm IGM filaments are no longer dominant and the absorbers tend to have higher column densities and metallicities, representing stripped galaxy material. We predict that the absorber velocity distribution should generally be bi-modal and discuss the effects of cluster size, mass, and morphology on the properties of the identified absorbers, and the overall cluster warm gas content. We find tentative evidence for a change in the well known increasing N$_{HI}$ with decreasing impact parameter for the most massive dark matter halos. Our results are compared directly to observations of Ly$\alpha$ absorbers in the Virgo cluster, and provide predictions for future Ly$\alpha$ absorption studies.
Water balance dynamics of a boreal forest watershed: White Gull Creek basin, 1994–1996

[1] Field measurements from the Boreal Ecosystem-Atmosphere Study (BOREAS) were combined to calculate the water balance of the White Gull Creek basin for the three year period 1994–1996. Evapotranspiration was mapped from the observations made at the BOREAS flux towers to the basin using a simple evaporation model with a bulk canopy resistance based on tower observations. Runoff ratios were low, and evapotranspiration accounted for most of the precipitation over the area. The accumulated storage change, over the 3 year period, was 47 mm or 3.4% of the total precipitation, but precipitation exceeded the sum of discharge and evapotranspiration by 80 mm or 15% of the precipitation in 1994. Five possible explanations for the discrepancy in the water balance are identified, with the most likely cause an underestimation of the evapotranspiration in 1994, especially during periods when the basin is wet.
PGC-1α gene transfer rescues dystrophic muscle from advanced disease progression (884.18)

Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) is a progressive, fatal, muscle wasting disease caused by a dystrophin deficiency. The benefits of exercise for DMD patients are unclear and advanced disease progr...
Optimizing traffic control to reduce fuel consumption and vehicular emissions: Integrated approach with VISSIM, CMEM, and VISGAOST

One way to reduce excessive fuel consumption and vehicular emissions on urban streets is to optimize signal timings. Historically, signal timing optimization tools were used to reduce traffic delay and stops. The concept of optimizing signal timings to reduce fuel consumption and emissions was addressed decades ago with tools that are now considered outdated. This study advocates a fresh approach to integrating existing state-of-the-art tools for reassessing and ultimately minimizing fuel consumption and emissions. VISSIM, CMEM, and VISGAOST were linked to optimize signal timings and minimize fuel consumption and CO2 emissions. As a case study, a 14-intersection network in Park City, Utah, was used. Signal timings were optimized for seven optimization objective functions to find the lowest fuel consumption and CO2 emissions. Findings show that a formula commonly used to estimate fuel consumption in traffic simulation tools inadequately estimates fuel consumption and cannot be used as a reliable objective ...
Self-promotion Statements in Video Resumes: Frequency, intensity, and gender effects on job applicant evaluation

Although video resumes have received a substantial amount of media attention and there seems to be a growing awareness among Human Resource professionals of video-based job applications, little is known about the effect of video resumes on applicant evaluation. This research investigates the effectiveness of self-promotion within the context of video resumes. Self-promotion frequency and intensity and applicant gender were manipulated. Ratings by recruiters and college students indicate that high levels of self-promotion in video resumes are ineffective for male applicants and potentially detrimental for female applicants. Job applicants should use caution when attempting to promote themselves using video resumes. More research is needed on impression management tactics used at the earliest stages of selection and on the mechanisms operating within video resumes that impact applicant evaluation.
Dynamically downscaled winter precipitation over complex terrain of the Central Rockies of Western Montana, USA

[1] We evaluate the results of dynamically downscaled winter precipitation over Western Montana using the weather research and forecasting (WRF) model through comparison with estimates from the observationally based parameter-elevation regressions on independent slopes model (PRISM). Seven years (six winters) from 2000 to 2006 are simulated at 4 km resolution to assess the similarities and differences between the two models as well as the implications for hydrologic modeling. Inherent biases in both approaches are apparent, highlighting the difficulty in climate model validation. Results show general agreement between the two models in the spatial distribution of winter precipitation. A principal component analysis shows similar spatial patterns between models in the leading six components suggesting that the main processes that drive the spatial distribution of precipitation were properly captured. The first component explains almost 70% of total variance, and the first three components explain more than 85% in both data sets. The largest differences between the two data sets exist in areas at high elevation and upstream of the continental divide where observations are sparse. In these areas, WRF consistently predicts higher amounts of precipitation and larger interannual variability than PRISM. We suggest that these results are realistic for impingement of moist air masses on topography and, if correct, could have significant implications in flood forecasting, water resource management, and climate change studies.
Disability in the Oldest-Old: Incidence and Risk Factors in The 90+ Study

Objectives To measure the incidence of disability in individuals aged 90 years and older and examine factors that may increase risk of disability. Design and Setting The 90+ Study , a longitudinal study of aging, initiated in January 2003 with follow-up through May 2009. Participants A total of 216 nondisabled, prospectively followed participants who were aged 90 years or older at baseline. Measurements The incidence of disability was measured as needing help on one or more activities of daily living and calculated using person years. Risk factors were examined by using a Cox proportional hazards analysis. Results The overall incidence of disability was 16.4% per year (95% confidence interval: 13.3–20.0) and did not differ by gender. Disability incidence increased with age from 8.3% in the 90–94 age group to 25.7% in the 95 years and older age group. Several factors were associated with increased risk of disability, including history of congestive heart failure, depression, poor self-rated quality of life, and cognitive impairment. Conclusion Disability incidence is high and increases rapidly with age in the oldest-old, with rates essentially tripling between ages 90–94 years and 95+ years. Some factors associated with increased risk of disability in younger elderly continue to be risk factors in the oldest-old. Because of the tremendous social and financial impact of disability and the rapid growth of the oldest-old, the development of strategies to delay disability in the elderly should be a priority for healthcare research.
Briefly Cuing Memories Leads to Suppression of Their Neural Representations

Previous studies have linked partial memory activation with impaired subsequent memory retrieval (e.g., Detre et al., 2013) but have not provided an account of this phenomenon at the level of memory representations: How does partial activation change the neural pattern subsequently elicited when the memory is cued? To address this question, we conducted a functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) experiment in which participants studied word-scene paired associates. Later, we weakly reactivated some memories by briefly presenting the cue word during a rapid serial visual presentation (RSVP) task; other memories were more strongly reactivated or not reactivated at all. We tested participants' memory for the paired associates before and after RSVP. Cues that were briefly presented during RSVP triggered reduced levels of scene activity on the post-RSVP memory test, relative to the other conditions. We used pattern similarity analysis to assess how representations changed as a function of the RSVP manipulation. For briefly cued pairs, we found that neural patterns elicited by the same cue on the pre- and post-RSVP tests (preA–postA; preB–postB) were less similar than neural patterns elicited by different cues (preA–postB; preB–postA). These similarity reductions were predicted by neural measures of memory activation during RSVP. Through simulation, we show that our pattern similarity results are consistent with a model in which partial memory activation triggers selective weakening of the strongest parts of the memory.
Muscarinic antagonist binding site heterogeneity as evidenced by autoradiography after direct labeling with [3H]-QNB and [3H]-pirenzepine

Abstract Saturable, high affinity binding of tritiated pirenzepine ([ 3 H]-PZ) was obtained in slide mounted tissue sections prior to performing autoradiographic localization of these binding sites. The binding in tissue sections of rostral rat forebrain gave a K D of 18nM and a B max of 51 fmoles/mg tissue. These binding characteristics are similar to those previously obtained in homogenate membrane preparations and indicate the binding is taking place in a similar manner. The distribution of the binding sites labeled with [ 3 H]-PZ represented a subpopulation of those which could be labeled with tritiated quinuclidinyl benzilate ([ 3 H]-QNB). Thus, [ 3 H]-PZ and [ 3 H]-QNB both label regions of the cerebral cortex, hippocampus, striatum and dorsal horn of the spinal cord, while sites in the cerebellum, nucleus tractus solitarius, facial nucleus and ventral horn of the spinal cord are labeled with [ 3 H]-QNB and not by [ 3 H]-PZ. These observations indicate separate regions of the brain where antagonists bind to subtypes of muscarinic receptors.
Rigidity properties of Borel ideals on the integers

We classify the Borel ideals I on the set of natural numbers N for which p(N)/I can be Borel embedded into the orbit space of a Borel action of the infinite symmetric group. As a consequence we show that certain Borel ideals I, including the Frechet ideal, are completely characterized by the “Borel cardinality” of the set p(N)/I.
Higgs physics at LHC

The large hadron collider (LHC) and its detectors, ATLAS and CMS, are being built to study TeV scale physics, and to fully understand the electroweak symmetry breaking mechanism. The Monte-Carlo simulation results for the standard model and minimal super symmetric standard model Higgs boson searches and parameter measurements are discussed. Emphasis is placed on recent investigations of Higgs produced in association with top quarks and in vector boson fusion channels. These results indicate that Higgs sector can be explored in many channels within a couple of years of LHC operation, i.e.,L = 30 fb−1. Complete coverage including measurements of Higgs parameters can be carried out with full LHC program.
Structural similarities in glucoamylases by hydrophobic cluster analysis

The model of the catalytic domain of Aspergillus awamori var. X100 glucoamylase was related to 14 other glucoamylase protein sequences belonging to five subfamilies. Structural features of the different sequences were revealed by multisequence alignment following hydrophobic cluster analysis. The alignment agreed with the hydrophobic microdomains, normally conserved throughout evolution, evaluated from the 3-D model. Saccharomyces and Clostridium glucoamylases lack the alpha-helix exterior to the catalytic domain. A different catalytic base was found in the Saccharomyces glucoamylase subfamily. The starch binding domain of fungal glucoamylases has identical structural features and substrate interacting residues as the C-terminal domain of models of Bacillus circulans cyclodextrin glucosyltransferases. Three putative N-glycosylation sites were found in the same turns in glucoamylases of different subfamilies. O-Glycosylation is present at different levels in the catalytic domain and in the linker between the catalytic and starch binding domains.
Teaching Experimental Methods: A Framework for Hands-On Modules

Experiments provide a simple and engaging framework for familiarizing students with the process of quantitative social research. In this article, I illustrate how experiments can be used in the classroom environment by describing a module that was implemented in four high school classrooms. The module familiarized students with how the scientific method can be applied to political questions and introduced them to basic statistical concepts. This specific lesson plan can serve as a model for how more complex and rigorous experimental designs can be used to actively engage more advanced (college-level) students in the process of research design and statistical analysis.
Effect of a substrate on the phase transformations of amorphous TiSi 2 thin films

The crystallization of an amorphous TiSi2 evaporated film has been studied on both poly‐Si and SiO2 substrates. A metastable form of TiSi2 (base‐centered orthorhombic; a=3.62 A, b=13.76 A, and c=3.605 A) [P. G. Cotter, J. H. Kohn, and R. A. Potter, J. Am. Ceram. Soc. 39, 11 (1956)] is formed first at a temperature of approximately 350 °C on both substrates. This phase consumes the entire amorphous layer before undergoing a polymorphic transformation to face‐centered orthorhombic TiSi2 (a=8.24 A, b=4.78 A, and c=8.54 A) [F. Laves and H. J. Wallbaum, Z. Kristallogr. 101, 78 (1979)] at 600 and 800 °C on poly‐Si and SiO2, respectively. These transformations were investigated using in situ resistivity, x‐ray diffraction, and transmission electron microscopy. The room‐temperature resistivities observed were 96 and 20 μΩ cm for the base‐centered and face‐centered TiSi2, respectively. The enhanced polymorphic transformation on poly‐Si over SiO2 is explained by a lowering of surface energy barrier to nucleation.
Why Are Some Industries More Cyclical Than Others

This article is an empirical examination of why some industries are far more cyclical than others. Using highly disaggregated panel data, we examine which elements of technology and market structure appear to be most closely associated with differences in cyclicality across industries. We find that durable-goods industries are approximately three times more cyclical than nondurable-goods industries. Within durable-goods industries, the proportion of variable and quasi-fixed factor inputs, market concentration, and labor hoarding appear to be important determinants of cyclical behavior. In contrast, for nondurable-goods industries, we find little systematic relationship between cyclicality and market characteristics.
A Brief History of Teratology to the Early 20th Century

Beginning with the recorded accounts of such entities as clubfoot and achondroplasia in Egyptian wall paintings of as early as 5000 years ago (Martin, 1880; Steindorff,’ 39) mankind’s intense interest in malformed individuals — human beings and animals — has spanned the centuries. Primitive peoples throughout the world, including Australia, the South Pacific islands and North and South America, have left traces of their preoccupation with monstrosities in their carvings and reliefs (Ballantyne, 1895; Born,’ 47; Brodsky,’ 49). Giants, dwarfs, one-eyed monsters, and mermaids have existed in the fairy tales of many nations (Schatz,’ 01; Graves,’ 57). Schatz (’01) pointed out that many mythological monsters may have arisen from observations of developmental abnormalities. For example, in his view Polyphemus perhaps represented a cyclopic monster, Siren, a sympodial fetus, Janus, a diprosopus one, while an infant with occipital encephalocele represented Atlas and one with exomphalos stood for Prometheus.
Curve crossing for low-energy elastic scattering of He/+/ by Ne.

The perturbation seen in the experimental differential elastic-scattering cross section for the 40-eV He/+/ + Ne system has been attributed to a single crossing of two intermolecular potential-energy curves. A new theoretical treatment of the curve-crossing problem, namely, that of Delos and Thorson, is employed to obtain the crossing probabilities and phases associated with the crossing. These are determined by utilizing ab initio potentials involved in the crossing and are further used in a partial-wave calculation of the cross section, which is compared with our experiment. The origin of the oscillatory structure observed in the differential cross section is discussed in semiclassical terms by defining the problem in terms of two pseudo-deflection-functions. A rainbow effect is shown to be related to a particular feature (a maximum rather than a minimum) of these deflection functions.
CLASSICAL CONDITIONING OF LIGHT EVOKED RESPONSES IN CAT

After repeated paired presentations of sound and light while recording from the visual cortex, sound was presented alone and a CR was observed.
The possible mediation by cyclic AMP of the stimulation of thymocyte proliferation by vasopressin and the inhibition of this mitogenic action by thyrocalcitonin.

Abstract : Lysine vasopressin (antidiuretic hormone), like cyclic adenosine 3',5'-monophosphate (cyclic AMP), rapidly (in less than 1 hour) stimulates the initiation of deoxyribonucleic acid synthesis and thereby increases the flow of cells into mitosis in rat thymic lymphocyte populations in vitro. This mitogenic action of vasopressin, again like that of cyclic AMP, is potentiated by caffeine, an inhibitor of the intracellular phosphodiesterase which catalyzes the degradation of cyclic AMP. On the other hand, vasopressin's mitogenic action (also like that of cyclic AMP) is blocked by imidazole, an activator of cyclic nucleotide phosphodiesterase activity. The hormone, thyrocalcitonin (calcitonin) which is known to block the cyclic AMP-mediated mitogenic effect of parathyroid hormone by interfering with cyclic AMP action, also blocks the mitogenic action of vasopressin. The inhibitory effects of imidazole and thyrocalcitonin on vasopressin's mitogenic action are both overcome by the phosphodiesterase inhibitor, caffeine. It is concluded from these observations that the mitogenic action of vasopressin is mediated by cyclic AMP. (Author)
Policies for water resource management in semiarid regions

Many of the freshwater problems of the 21st century will arise from increasing demands for water generated by rapid population growth, urbanization, industrialization and irrigation needed to satisfy the additional demand for food. The increased demand for water is being exacerbated by the excessive pumping of groundwater aquifers, some of which hold ancient or fossil’ water, and by the deteriorating quality of both surface and groundwater supplies. When it comes to the role and the fate of water resources in semiarid environments, despite the many differences socially, politically, culturally and economically among regions around the globe, many similarities actually exist. This article will examine in some detail how these issues manifest themselves in three geographic regions: the Western USA, especially the Central Valley of California; northwest Mexico, especially the Comarca Lagunera and Costa de Hermosillo; and the Aral Sea region of the Central Asian Republics of the Soviet Union. These case studi...
Modeling of strain energy absorption in superelastic shape memory alloys

The mechanical behavior of shape memory alloys (SMA) can be separated into two distinct categories: the shape memory effect and the superelastic effect. When loaded, the superelastic SMA undergoes a stress-induced martensitic transformation that will result in a large recoverable strain. Upon unloading, the undergoes a large hysteresis loop that makes the superelastic SMA an excellent candidate for strain energy absorption. This large strain energy absorption capability has been used to improve the impact tolerance of composites in related work. It is to further understand this strain energy absorption capability in composites that a 1D model to evaluate the energy absorption of superelastic shape memory alloy under bending and tension loading is developed using the Euler-Bernoulli beam theory. This theoretical model gives quantitative relations between the martensite fraction, the applied load, and the strain energy absorbed in the SMA. As expected, the superelastic SMA as demonstrated a very high strain energy absorption capability, demonstrating the advantage of using superelastic SMA to absorb strain energy. The closed form solution of the strain energy absorption capability of SMA bars provides a useful tool in the design of energy dissipation applications of superelastic SMA.© (1997) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Nearly degenerate heavy sterile neutrinos in cascade decay: Mixing and oscillations

Some extensions beyond the Standard Model propose the existence of nearly degenerate heavy sterile neutrinos. If kinematically allowed these can be resonantly produced and decay in a cascade to common final states. The common decay channels lead to mixing of the heavy sterile neutrino states and interference effects. We implement nonperturbative methods to study the dynamics of the cascade decay to common final states, which features similarities but also noteworthy differences with the case of neutral meson mixing. We show that mixing and oscillations among the nearly degenerate sterile neutrinos can be detected as quantum beats in the distribution of final states produced from their decay. These oscillations would be a telltale signal of mixing between heavy sterile neutrinos. We study in detail the case of two nearly degenerate sterile neutrinos produced in the decay of pseudoscalar mesons and decaying into a purely leptonic ``visible'' channel: ${\ensuremath{\nu}}_{h}\ensuremath{\rightarrow}{e}^{+}{e}^{\ensuremath{-}}{\ensuremath{\nu}}_{a}$. Possible cosmological implications for the effective number of neutrinos ${N}_{\text{eff}}$ are discussed.
Spatial energy budgets in alpine tundra

Modelling and Geographic Information System (GIS) technology are employed in order to extend spatially, estimated and observed growing season values of the components of the surface heat energy budget for an area of alpine tundra in the Colorado Front Range. A surface equilibrium temperature model is calibrated for one sub-class of vegetation surface and is used to model surface heat energy budget component values for other sub-classes of vegetation. The model values compare favorably with values independently estimated or observed. The data are spatially displayed using the Idrisi GIS. At the microclimatic scale the presence of different sub-classes of vegetation plays a large role in controlling the actual values of the surface heat budget components. This is in contrast to the larger scale at which climatic variables such as air temperature control the overall vegetation type found in the area.
Estimating national poverty rates and their effect on mortality: 129 countries, 1990–2013

Abstract Background A country's wealth is an established predictor of population health outcomes. The distribution of wealth within a country is also associated with health outcomes, yet the relation between poverty and health outcomes has not been as widely assessed in cross-country studies because of insufficient data. In this study, we construct 22 complete, yet distinct, poverty data series and test how poverty can explain variation in health. Methods The World Bank's International Comparison Program estimates the number of people living at or below US$1·25 per day using more than 800 household surveys. However, this data series is far from complete. We build from the World Bank dataset and use covariates and intertemporal trends to generate a complete data series for 129 countries for 1990–2013. We used a variable selection process based on linear regression and Bayesian model selection to derive a tractable set of predictors. To predict national poverty rates at 51 different income thresholds, we used 20 variants of three models and relied on out-of-sample validation to choose the best model. Finally, we use fixed-effects linear regression techniques to test how national poverty rates are associated with changes in adult and child mortality. Findings A three-stage model based on multiple imputation, hierarchical random-effects estimation, and Gaussian process regression out performs all other methods used to estimate national poverty rates. We noted that the number of people living on $1·25 per day is being reduced in most parts of the world, although in some regions of Africa the extreme poverty count is increasing. When poverty is defined as living on $5·00 per day, we see that the number of people living in poverty is increasing in 88 countries (68·2%) in our sample. Finally, our analysis shows that escaping extreme poverty, as currently defined as living at or below $1·25 per day, is not sufficient to produce great improvements in population health. When poverty is redefined at a larger income threshold, reductions in national poverty rates predict more substantial population health gains. Interpretation Since 1990, there has been a great deal of progress made in reducing the number of people living at or below $1·25 per day. We provide evidence that increasing an individual's income above $1·25 is not associated with dramatically improved health. Instead, an income closer to $5·00 per day seems to be more closely associated with improved population health. This research highlights that, while reducing the number of people living at or below $1·25 per day is important for better health outcomes, more income is required for substantial improvements in population health. Funding The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.
Reduced Ca2+ current, charge movement, and absence of Ca2+ transients in skeletal muscle deficient in dihydropyridine receptor beta 1 subunit.

The Ca2+ currents, charge movements, and intracellular Ca2+ transients in mouse skeletal muscle cells homozygous for a null mutation in the cchb1 gene encoding the beta 1 subunit of the dihydropyridine receptor have been characterized. I beta null, the L-type Ca2+ current of mutant cells, had a approximately 13-fold lower density than the L-type current of normal cells (0.41 +/- 0.042 pA/pF at + 20 mV, compared with 5.2 +/- 0.38 pA/pF in normal cells). I beta null was sensitive to dihydropyridines and had faster kinetics of activation and slower kinetics of inactivation than the L-type current of normal cells. Charge movement was reduced approximately 2.8-fold, with Qmax = 6.9 +/- 0.61 and Qmax = 2.5 +/- 0.2 nC/microF in normal and mutant cells, respectively. Approximately 40% of Qmax was nifedipine sensitive in both groups. In contrast to normal cells, Ca2+ transients could not be detected in mutant cells at any test potential; however, caffeine induced a robust Ca2+ transient. In homogenates of mutant muscle, the maximum density of [3H]PN200–110 binding sites (Bmax) was reduced approximately 3.9-fold. The results suggest that the excitation-contraction uncoupling of beta 1-null skeletal muscle involves a failure of the transduction mechanism that is due to either a reduced amount of alpha 1S subunits in the membrane or the specific absence of beta 1 from the voltage-sensor complex.
CMS tracker performance

Abstract We are presenting the performance of the CMS pixel and strip silicon tracker with proton–proton collision data at the LHC.