cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
DFT Calculations of Isomer Shifts and Quadrupole Splitting Parameters in Synthetic Iron−Oxo Complexes: Applications to Methane Monooxygenase and Ribonucleotide Reductase

To predict isomer shifts and quadrupole splitting parameters of Fe atoms in the protein active sites of methane monooxygenase and ribonucleotide reductase, a correlation between experimental isomer shifts ranging 0.1-1.5 mm s(-)(1) for Fe atoms in a training set with the corresponding density functional theory (DFT) calculated electron densities at the Fe nuclei in those complexes is established. The geometries of the species in the training set, consisting of synthetic polar monomeric and dimeric iron complexes, are taken from the Cambridge structural database. A comparison of calculated Mossbauer parameters for Fe atoms from complexes in the training set with their corresponding experimental values shows very good agreement (standard deviation of 0.11 mm/s, correlation coefficient of -0.94). However, for the Fe atoms in the active sites of the structurally characterized proteins of methane monooxygenase and ribonucleotide reductase, the calculated Mossbauer parameters deviate more from their experimentally measured values. The high correlation that exists between calculated and observed quadrupole splitting and isomer shift parameters for the synthetic complexes leads us to conclude that the main source of the error arising for the protein active sites is due to the differing degrees of atomic-level resolution for the protein structural data, compared to the synthetic complexes in the training set. Much lower X-ray resolutions associated with the former introduce uncertainty in the accuracy of several bond lengths. This is ultimately reflected in the calculated isomer shifts and quadrupole splitting parameters of the Fe sites in the proteins. For the proteins, the closest correspondence between predicted and observed Mossbauer isomer shifts follows the order MMOH(red), RNR(red), MMOH(ox), and RNR(ox), with average deviations from experiment of 0.17, 0.17, 0.17-0.20, and 0.32 mm/s, but this requires DFT geometry optimization of the iron-oxo dimer complexes.
Volatile organic compound (VOC) emissions from soil and litter samples

The production of nonmethane volatile organic compounds (VOCs) by soil microbes is likely to have an important influence on soil ecology and terrestrial biogeochemistry. However, soil VOC production has received relatively little attention, and we do not know how the emissions of microbially-produced VOCs vary across soil and litter types. We collected 40 root-free soil and litter samples from a diverse array of ecosystem types and conducted laboratory incubations in order to compare the types and quantities of VOCs emitted. VOC production rates were higher in litter samples than in soil samples, and the rates were correlated with microbial biomass and CO2 production levels. On average, the litter samples produced more types of VOCs than the soil samples with litters emitting a number of VOCs (including terpenoids) that were not generally emitted from the soil samples. Across all of the samples, we identified 100 VOCs, and more than 70% of these compounds could not be positively identified by GC/MS analyses. Of those VOCs that could be identified, furfural and similar furan compounds were noteworthy in that they were emitted in large amounts from nearly every sample examined. Other identifiable VOCs produced across a range of soil and litter samples included propanoic and butanoic acids, which are known products of microbial fermentation. Together these results suggest a need for additional research examining the specific factors influencing VOC emissions from soil and the identification of specific VOCs emitted from soil and litter as many of these compounds are likely to have important effects on belowground ecology.
Dinuclear Metalloradicals Featuring Unsupported Metal–Metal Bonds

Unlike the very labile, unobservable radical cations [{l_brace}CpM(CO){sub 3}{r_brace}{sub 2}]{sup {sm_bullet}+} (M = W, Mo), derivatives [{l_brace}CpM(CO){sub 2}(PMe{sub 3}){r_brace}{sub 2}]{sup {sm_bullet}+} are stable enough to be isolated and characterized. Experimental and theoretical studies show that the shortened M-M bonds are of order 1 1/2, and that they are not supported by bridging ligands. The unpaired electron is fully delocalized, with a spin density of ca. 45% on each metal atom. We thank the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), Office of Science, Office of Basic Energy Sciences, Division of Chemical Sciences, Biosciences and Geosciences for support of this work. Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL) is a multiprogram national laboratory operated for DOE by Battelle. The EPR and computational studies were performed using EMSL, a national scientific user facility sponsored by the DOE's Office of Biological and Environmental Research and located at PNNL. We thank Dr. Charles Windisch for access to his UV-Vis-NIR spectrometer.
Use of fourier transform infrared and second derivative ultraviolet spectrometry in determining polystyrene-poly(4-vinylpyridine) blend composition

Polymer blend usage has increased in recent years as the blends provide a convenient means for modifying polymer properties. It is often necessary to be able to determine the percentages or ratios of polymers present in a blend. One blend of interest is the immiscible blend of polystyrene (PS) and poly(4-vinylpyridine) (P4VP). The percentages were determined by two methods: Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy and second derivative ultraviolet (UV) spectroscopy. The peak ratio versus percentage polymer technique was used in both methods. For FTIR, the ratio of the absorbance values of the out-of-plane CH bending vibration of P4VP at 822 cm−1 and the aromatic C C stretch for PS at 1493 cm−1 were ratioed. For derivative UV, the vibrational structure of the aromatic secondary bands was used: 269 nm minimum for PS and the 271 nm maximum for P4VP. Both methods gave excellent and comparable results. The derivative UV determination had the advantage of requiring less sample due to its greater sensitivity. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 98: 2422–2426, 2005
Nonlinear optical detection of electron transfer adiabaticity in metal polypyridyl complexes.

Nonlinear optical signatures of electron transfer (ET) adiabaticity are investigated in a prototypical metal polypyridyl system, OsII(bpy)3, known to possess large interligand couplings. Together with a theoretical model, transient absorption anisotropy (TAA) experiments show that field-matter interactions occur with diabatic basis states despite these large couplings. In addition, activated and activationless interligand ET mechanisms are distinguished with a series of TAA experiments in which the pump pulse frequency is tuned over a wide range. At lower pump frequencies, activated interligand ET, which occurs with a time constant of approximately 600 fs, is the dominant mechanism. However, an activationless mechanism becomes most prominent when the pump pulse is tuned by only 800 cm−1 to higher frequency. This sensitivity of the ET mechanism to the pump frequency agrees with earlier experimental work that estimated an activation energy barrier of 875 cm−1. The premise of signal interpretation in this pa...
Perceptions of assortment variety: The effects of congruency between consumers’ internal and retailers’ external organization

Abstract This research shows that consumers’ perceptions of variety and satisfaction are dependent upon how the assortment is organized, both internally by the consumer and externally by the retailer. The results of three laboratory studies indicate that for familiar categories, congruency between a consumer's internal categorization structure and the external store layout leads to higher perceptions of variety and higher satisfaction with product choices, while for unfamiliar product categories, congruency between shopping goals and external structure leads to lower perceptions of variety but increased satisfaction with the store's assortment. However, if retailers institute external category filters congruent with consumers’ internal shopping goals that allow them to bypass products, consumers have both lower variety perceptions and satisfaction with the assortment offering.
Rate-Dependent Deformation Behavior of Zr-Based Metallic-Glass Coatings Examined by Nanoindentation

The Zr-based metallic-glass coatings with micrometer-scale thicknesses are prepared by the radio-frequency magnetron-sputtering technique on silicon substrates. Using the instrumented nanoindentation technique, we have examined the dependence of their deformation behavior, especially the indentation hardness, on the strain rate and maximum indentation depth. For the shallow indentation, in which the substrate effect can be neglected, the increase of the penetration rate leads to the decrease of the hardness. This seemingly “negative” strain-rate sensitivity is actually a result of the dependence of the degree of elastic deformation on the effective strain rate. When the indentation depth is comparable to or larger than the coating thickness, the coating interface can block the shear-band propagation and promote the shear-band multiplication, resulting in enhanced ductility and a large degree of material pileup, as shown by the measurements using the atomic force microscopy (AFM).
Theoretical Investigation of Tip-Based Nanoscale Infrared Spectroscopy

The ability to conduct the chemical analysis of materials with the nanoscale spatial resolution has been a long term thrust in many science and engineering communities. Although several techniques such as chemical force microscopy [1] and tip-enhanced Raman spectroscopy [2] have been developed for the nanoscale chemical analysis, there still exist technical challenges in routinely achieving a full spectrum of chemical information at the nanoscale. The main objective of this study is to propose a novel tip-based nanoscale infrared (IR) spectroscopy by combining the atomic force microscopy (AFM) and the Fourier-transformed infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy.Copyright © 2009 by ASME
Fusion Images: More Informative Than the Sum of Individual Images?

There are a number of examples in cardiovascular investigation where the images are created predominantly for an attractive display, but may not be particularly useful from either a clinical or a research standpoint. One such example is 3-dimensional (3D) display of computed tomography (CT) coronary
Your community needs a child care resource and referral agency

This article describes three major contributions made by child care resource and referral agencies—meeting parents' needs, meeting providers' needs, and providing coordination of resources and communication about child care in and beyond the community. The article also gives suggestions to child care advocates who want to provide resource and referral services in their communities.
Quantitative computer reconstruction of particulate materials from microtomography images

Abstract Traditional particle-characterization techniques require particles to be dispersed from their original form, which destroys important morphologic information in materials such as aggregates or porous materials. X-ray computed microtomography provides a powerful tool for non-destructive analysis. However, robust techniques for comprehensive material characterization of these images have not been developed. In this paper we present a new algorithm for the computer analysis of particulate materials from high-resolution tomography images. The key aspect of the algorithm is the assignment of every solid-phase voxel in the image to its associated particle in a physically representative manner, which is in essence a particle-scale computer reconstruction of the material. Once this digital reconstruction is obtained, a vast amount of morphologic information can be extracted, including parameters obtained by traditional particle-analysis techniques (e.g., particle-size distribution and porosity) as well as parameters not usually available (e.g., spatial correlations in particle size, particle aspect ratios, surface areas, and orientations, particle contacts, particle coordination numbers, and more). Additionally, the computer reconstruction allows for complex manipulations such as the comparison of a specific parameter for two different particle-size classes within the material. The paper includes validation of the algorithm using computer-generated packings, as well as an example using microtomography data from a real material.
Enhancing anaerobic hydrolysis of cattle manure in leachbed reactors

In this study, it is hypothesized that anaerobic hydrolysis of organic solid wastes (OSWs) in leachbed reactors can be enhanced by two approaches: (1) by increasing the porosity of the leachbed; and (2) by seeding the bed with brown-rot fungi or anaerobically digested residues. The hypothesis is verified using cattle manure as a model OSW and pistachios-half-shell as an inert additive to increase the porosity of the leachbed. The enhancement was quantified in terms of volatile fatty acid (VFA) generation and soluble COD generation. Results of this study showed that 15% more VFAs and 8% more soluble COD can be obtained at higher bed porosities and with brown-rot fungi or digested residues as the seed. Compared to a leachbed without any recirculation, porosity enhancement, nor seed addition, the VFA yield (g VFA/g manure) in a leachbed with pistachios-half-shell as porosity enhancers was 193% higher; that in a leachbed with leachate recirculation (of 4 L/day), pistachios-half-shell as porosity enhancers, and brown-rot fungi or digested sludge as seed was 230% higher.
Rebound insomnia: a new clinical syndrome

Rebound insomnia followed the withdrawal of three benzodiazepine hypnotic drugs, each of which had been administered in a single nightly dose for only short-term periods. The intense worsening of sleep is attributed to the short duration of the action of these drugs. A hypothesis involving benzodiazepine receptors in the brain is proposed in which there is a delay or lag in replacement of endogenous benzodiazepine-like molecules after the abrupt withdrawal of exogenous drugs.
Adolescents' health beliefs and acceptance of a novel preventive dental activity: A further note

As part of two new school-based experiments, the dental health beliefs of adolescents were measured by questionnaires that emphasized personal and vicarious dental experiences. Premeasured beliefs showed zero order or negative relationships with adherence to at-home mouthrinsing in both a 1-year experiment and in the first year of a 2-year experiment; neither premeasured beliefs, nor new measures of beliefs obtained at the end of the first year, predicted adherence in the second year of the 2-year program. Behavior in the first year was inversely related to beliefs obtained at the end of that year. These new data, along with those collected as part of two earlier experiments which measured beliefs in a different manner, representing a total population of over 1500 subjects, cast doubt on the value of the Health Belief Model in either predicting or helping to explain behavior of adolescents in novel disease preventive programs.
Focal embolic cerebral ischemia in the rat

Animal models of focal cerebral ischemia are well accepted for investigating the pathogenesis and potential treatment strategies for human stroke. Occlusion of the middle cerebral artery (MCA) with an endovascular filament is a widely used model to induce focal cerebral ischemia. However, this model is not amenable to thrombolytic therapies. As thrombolysis with recombinant tissue plasminogen activator (rtPA) is a standard of care within 4.5 h of human stroke onset, suitable animal models that mimic cellular and molecular mechanisms of thrombosis and thrombolysis of stroke are required. By occluding the MCA with a fibrin-rich allogeneic clot, we previously developed an embolic model of MCA occlusion in the rat, which recapitulates the key components of thrombotic development and of thrombolytic therapy of rtPA observed from human ischemic stroke. Here we describe in detail the surgical procedures of our model, including preparing emboli from rat donors. These procedures can be typically completed within ∼30 min, and they are highly adaptable to other strains of rats, as well as mice, in both sexes. Thus, this model provides a powerful tool for translational stroke research.
Discordance Among Transient Elastography, Aspartate Aminotransferase to Platelet Ratio Index, and Histologic Assessments of Liver Fibrosis in Patients With Chronic Hepatitis C

Background & Aims Liver biopsy is the standard for assessing hepatic fibrosis. Ultrasound transient elastography (TE) and the aspartate aminotransferase to platelet ratio index (APRI) are validated, noninvasive tests for identifying patients with cirrhosis. We evaluated discordance among TE, APRI, and histology diagnoses of cirrhosis. Methods We analyzed findings from 109 patients with chronic hepatitis C who underwent TE within 6 months of liver biopsy at the US National Institutes of Health from 2006 to 2011. Fibrosis was scored using the Ishak scale (0–6). APRI scores were calculated using data collected on the day of the biopsy. Area under receiver operator characteristic curves for TE and APRI were calculated to distinguish patients with cirrhosis (Ishak scores, 5–6) from those without cirrhosis (Ishak scores, 0–4). The best cut-off value and corresponding positive predictive value (PPV) and negative predictive value (NPV) were selected. Results Based on biopsy analysis, 18% of the patients had no fibrosis, 52% had mild fibrosis, 17% had bridging fibrosis, and 13% had cirrhosis. A TE cut-off value of 13.1 kPa identified patients with cirrhosis with the highest level of accuracy (100% sensitivity, 89% specificity, 58% PPV, 100% NPV), as did an APRI cut-off value of 1.0 (79% sensitivity, 78% specificity, 34% PPV, 96% NPV). Results from TE and APRI were discordant for 28% of cases. TE identified all cases of cirrhosis and an additional 10 patients who were not found to have cirrhosis based on histology analysis; 7 of these patients had clinical or radiologic evidence of cirrhosis, indicating that the biopsy sample was not staged correctly. Conclusions TE increases the accuracies of biopsy and APRI analyses in identifying patients with cirrhosis. TE also might be used to screen patients for cirrhosis and identify those who should be followed up for development of hepatocellular carcinoma and varices.
Evolution from first-order valence transition to heavy-fermion behavior in YbIn1-xAgxCu4

${\mathrm{YbInCu}}_{4}$ undergoes a first-order isostructural valence transition near 40 K, whereas ${\mathrm{YbAgCu}}_{4}$ is a moderately heavy (\ensuremath{\gamma}=250 mJ/mol ${\mathrm{K}}^{2}$) mixed-valence compound. We have succeeded in growing single crystals of these compounds, as well as many intermediate alloys, using flux-growth techniques. The evolution from ${\mathrm{YbInCu}}_{4}$ to ${\mathrm{YbAgCu}}_{4}$ has been characterized using electrical resistivity, magnetic susceptibility, and x-ray powder diffraction. The data are interpreted in terms of the evolution of the single-impurity Kondo temperature as a function of Ag concentration. \textcopyright{} 1996 The American Physical Society.
Comparison of elastic scattering spectroscopy with histology in ex vivo prostate glands: potential application for optically guided biopsy and directed treatment

The false-negative rate of ultrasound-guided sextant prostate biopsy has been estimated to be as high as 35 %. A significant percentage (10–35 %) of these prostate cancers diagnosed at a second or later attempt are high grade and, therefore, potentially lethal. We discuss the feasibility for performing optically guided biopsy using elastic scattering spectroscopy (ESS) to reduce sampling errors and improve sensitivity. ESS measurements were performed on 42 prostate glands ex vivo and correlated with standard histopathological assessment. Sliced glands were examined with wavelength ranges of 330–760 nm. The ESS portable system used a new fiber-optic probe with integrated cutting tool, designed specifically for ex vivo pathology applications. ESS spectra were grouped by diagnosis from standard histopathological procedure and then classified using linear support vector machine. Preliminary data are encouraging. ESS data showed strong spectral trends correlating with the histopathological assignments. The classification results showed a sensitivity of 0.83 and specificity of 0.87 for distinguishing dysplastic prostatic tissue from benign prostatic tissue. Similar results were obtained for distinguishing dysplastic prostatic tissue from prostatitis with a sensitivity and specificity of 0.80 and 0.88, respectively. The negative predictive values obtained with ESS are better than those obtained with transrectal ultrasound (TRUS)-guided core-needle biopsy.
Dropped Head Syndrome: Etiology and Management

Dropped head syndrome (DHS) is characterized by severe weakness of the cervical paraspinal muscles that results in the passively correctable chin-on-chest deformity. DHS is most commonly associated with neuromuscular disorders. However, it is not always accompanied by electromyographic findings or noticeable changes on muscle biopsy. In such cases, the term isolated neck extensory myopathy (INEM) is used instead. The literature on the management of INEM is limited. Most reports suggest that nonsurgical interventions help to stabilize the deformity. The literature on surgical management of INEM is limited and mixed, with outcomes ranging from poor to excellent. The prevalence of DHS likely will increase as life expectancy increases. Recent advances in our understanding of sagittal malalignment and surgical techniques have improved our ability to provide better quality of life for patients with cervical deformity.
Alarmins, inflammasomes and immunity

The elaboration of an effective immune response against pathogenic microbes such as viruses, intracellular bacteria or protozoan parasites relies on the recognition of microbial products called pathogen-associated molecular patterns (PAMPs) by pattern recognition receptors (PRRs) such as Toll-like receptors (TLRs). Ligation of the PRRs leads to synthesis and secretion of pro-inflammatory cytokines and chemokines. Infected cells and other stressed cells also release host-cell derived molecules, called damage-associated molecular patterns (DAMPs, danger signals, or alarmins), which are generic markers for damage. DAMPs are recognized by specific receptors on both immune and nonimmune cells, which, depending on the target cell and the cellular context, can lead to cell differentiation or cell death, and either inflammation or inhibition of inflammation. Recent research has revealed that DAMPs and PAMPs synergize to permit secretion of pro-inflammatory cytokines such as interleukin-1β (IL-1β): PAMPs stimulate synthesis of pro-IL-1β, but not its secretion; while DAMPs can stimulate assembly of an inflammasome containing, usually, a Nod-like receptor (NLR) member, and activation of the protease caspase-1, which cleaves pro-IL-1β into IL-1β, allowing its secretion. Other NLR members do not participate in formation of inflammasomes but play other essential roles in regulation of the innate immune response.
A semiautomated system for measurement of glutathione in the assay of glutathione peroxidase

Abstract The most commonly used assay procedures for measurement of glutathione (GSH) peroxidase are unsuitable for kinetic studies; therefore, a semiautomated system that is based upon the 5,5′-dithio-bis-2-nitrobenzoic acid (DTNB) reaction with sulfhydryls was developed for the assay of relatively purified samples of the enzyme. Sulfhydryl standards in the range of 0–1.5 m m gave a linear response with r 2 > 0.998. In the enzyme assay, unreacted GSH was measured continuously. The -ln[GSH] was plotted vs the time of reaction to obtain first-order rate constants. The standard deviation over a twofold enzyme concentration range was 9%. The relative merits of the semiautomated DTNB, manual DTNB, and GSH reductase-NADPH coupled assays for measurement of GSH peroxidase are discussed. Sulfhydryl utilization by GSH peroxidase in the presence of a fixed amount of GSH and increasing amounts of mereaptoethanol was measured by this semiautomated system. It was determined that the enzyme can utilize mercaptoethanol as one of the two donor substrates but that there is a requirement for GSH as the other donor substrate. This semiautomated assay should be applicable to other reaction systems that consume or produce sulfhydryl groups.
A multi-scale integrated analysis of the energy use in Romania, Bulgaria, Poland and Hungary

This paper discusses energy use in the case of four countries, Bulgaria, Poland, Hungary, and Romania, which changed the economic system from command economy to open-market. The analysis provided uses the multi-scale integrated analysis of societal metabolism (MSIASM) approach and contrasts it with the use of the traditional indicators approach (GDP growth rates and energy intensity). These traditional indicators have been widely criticized for being inadequate reflections of how energy policies work. Furthermore, the one-size-fits-all policies that result from analyzing these indicators are inaccurate, particularly for transitional economies. The alternative indicators, economic labor productivity, saturation index of human activity, and exosomatic metabolic rates are used to investigate the four case studies considering the complexity of the transition process.
Validation of the melvin-sims word processing operator test

Although the word processor has evolved functionally from the typewriter, the abilities required for operator proficiency in the two areas differ. Because the word processor is a much more complex and powerful tool than that of the typewriter, the job skills required of the word processing (WP) operator have expanded beyond those required of the typist. Typing or keyboarding ability has become only one compo nent of the WP operator job domain. Rather, the understanding of a variety of WP functions is more important in determining WP profi ciency. From the examination of WP and typing, it is intuitive that these two abilities should be tested by different methods. However, typing tests are still used by many organizations to select WP operators. Fur thermore, the few extant WP tests tend to be: (a) basically typing tests (b) machine and/or software?limited (c) lacking as to published valida tion data and/or (d) in-house tests. The purpose of the present research was to examine the reliability and validity of a newly developed work-sample test?the Melvin-Sims Word Processing Operator Test. To this end, we conducted three studies in university and industrial settings. Our research approach combined the techniques of content, criterion-related and construct validation.
Imbibitional Damage and Desiccation Tolerance of Wild Rice (Zizania palustris) Seeds

Seeds (caryopses) of North American wild rice (Zizania palustris var. interior), a temperate aquatic grass, have been reported to lose viability when desiccated (i.e. to be 'recalcitrant' or 'homoiohydrous'). They are also deeply dormant at maturity and require as much as six months of stratification to break dormancy. It has been suggested that wild rice seed may have been misclassified as recalcitrant in some experiments due to the presence of dormancy. We report here that wild rice seeds can survive desiccation to seed and embryonic axis moisture contents as low as 6-8% (fresh weight basis). However, maximum survival of desiccation to these low moisture contents is possible only if dehydration occurs at temperatures > 25 °C and a slow imbibition period (3 weeks minimum) is allowed at temperatures between 10 and 25 °C prior to stratification or dormancy-breaking treatments. The reduction in survival of dehydration at temperatures < 25 °C appears to occur only when embryonic axis moisture contents are reduced below about 8%. We also show that various techniques to assess viability of dry dormant seeds (moisture contents < 30%), such as tetrazolium tests or scarifying the pericarp above the embryo, can cause a reproducible loss of viability due to imbibitional damage that has previously been interpreted as intolerance of desiccation. Most reports of the desiccation intolerance of wild rice seeds can be explained on the basis of the temperatures of dehydration or rehydration, failure to break dormancy, or imbibitional injury during viability testing. The successful dehydration and rehydration of wild rice seeds has important practical implications for seed storage and germplasm preservation. In addition, the temperature dependence of desiccation tolerance in wild rice seeds represents a novel relationship between seed viability, temperature, and moisture content.
Nitrogen solubilities in low-density polyethylene at high temperatures and high pressures

An apparatus for the determination of the solubility of gases in polymers at high pressure and high temperature is described. The solubilities of nitrogen in low-density polyethylene (PE800E) at 394–450 K at pressures between 10 and 125 atm are reported. Empirical correlations are obtained which represent the Flory–Huggins interaction parameter χ, solubility coefficient KH, and activity coefficient of dissolved gas Ω2 as functions of temperature and pressure for the above system. © 1995 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Partial volume correction of magnetic resonance spectroscopic imaging

The ability to study the biochemical composition of the brain is becoming important to better understand neurodegenerative and neurodevelopmental disorders. Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy (MRS) can non-invasively provide quantification of brain metabolites in localized regions. The reliability of MRS is limited in part due to partial volume artifacts. This results from the relatively large voxels that are required to acquire sufficient signal-to-noise ratios for the studies. Partial volume artifacts result when a MRS voxel contains a mixture of tissue types. Concentrations of metabolites vary from tissue to tissue. When a voxel contains a heterogeneous tissue composition, the spectroscopic signal acquired from this voxel will consist of the signal from different tissues making reliable measurements difficult. We have developed a novel tool for the estimation of partial volume tissue composition within MRS voxels thus allowing for the correction of partial volume artifacts. In addition, the tool can localize MR spectra to anatomical regions of interest. The tool uses tissue classification information acquired as part of a structural MR scan for the same subject. The tissue classification information is co-registered with the spectroscopic data. The user can quantify the partial volume composition of each voxel and use this information as covariates for metabolite concentrations.
Parallel Genetic Algorithm for Design of Morphing Cellular Truss Structures

A parallel genetic algorithm is developed for the design of morphing aircraft structures using tendon actuated compliant truss. The wing structure in this concept is made of solid members and cables. The solid members are connected through compliant joints so that they can be deformed relatively easily without storing much strain energy in the structure. The structure is actuated using cables to deform into a required shape. Once the structure is deformed, the cables are locked and hence carry loads. Previously an octahedral unit cell made of cables and truss members was developed to achieve the required shape change of a morphing wing developed at NASA. It was observed that a continuously deformable truss structure with required morphing capability can be achieved by a cellular geometry tailored to local strain deformation. A wing structure made of these unit cells was sized for a representative aircraft and was found to be suitable. This paper describes the development of new unit cell designs that fit the morphing requirements using topology optimization. A ground structure approach is used to set up the problem. A predetermined set of points is selected and the members are connected in between the neighboring nodes. Each member in this ground structure has four possibilities, 1) a truss member, 2) a cable that morphs the structure into a required shape, 3) a cable that is antagonistic and brings it back to the original shape 4) a void, i.e., the member doesn’t exist in the structure. This choice is represented with a discrete variable. A parallel genetic algorithm is used as an optimization approach to optimize the variables in the ground structure to get the best structural layout. The parallelization is done using a master slave process. A fitness function is used to calculate how well a structural layout fits the design requirements. In general, a unit cell that has lesser deflection under external loads and higher deflection under actuation has a higher fitness value. Other requirements such as having fewer cables and achieving a required morphing shape are also included in the fitness function. The finite element calculations in the fitness function can be done using either linear or nonlinear analysis. The paper discusses the different ways of formulating the fitness function and the results thereof.Copyright © 2005 by ASME
Performance evaluation of combined spatial compounding-adaptive imaging: simulation, phantom and clinical trials

Spatial compounding reduces speckle and increases image contrast by incoherently averaging images acquired at different viewing angles. Adaptive imaging improves contrast and resolution by compensating for tissue induced phase errors. Aberrator strength and spatial frequency content markedly impact the desirable operating characteristics and performance of these methods for improving image quality. We present simulation, phantom and clinical experiments of spatial compounding, adaptive imaging, and a combination of these two methods in contrast and resolution tasks. With aberrations at high strength and low spatial frequency content, spatial compounding can yield significant (20%-50%) improvements in contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR). For all aberration strength and spatial frequencies, adaptive imaging yields superior improvement to spatial compounding in restoring lateral spatial frequencies of the image. Concurrent use of both imaging techniques yields the best results in CNR and resolution.
Less is more: Eliminating index terms from subordinate clauses

We perform a linguistic analysis of documents during indexing for information retrieval. By eliminating index terms that occur only in subordinate clauses, index size is reduced by approximately 30% without adversely affecting precision or recall. These results hold for two corpora: a sample of the world wide web and an electronic encyclopedia.
Environmental change as a threat to the pilot whale hunt in the Faroe Islands

The Faroese pilot whale hunt—the grindadrap—has provided meat and blubber for human consumption since at least the late 16th century. This paper briefly discusses the history of the grindadrap in the context of its culture and broader human–environmental interactions. It then describes threats to the continuance of the grindadrap, including the possibility of over-extraction through poor management, international protests and boycotts, and the current issue of marine pollutants found in the tissues of the whales. Next, it examines the outcomes, or anticipated outcomes, of each of these threats. The coordination of science and policy has arguably ensured a sustainable take level, whereas the redirection of many protest efforts to other, more commercialized whaling operations has reduced international pressure on the Faroese to give up whaling. However, the issue of environmental pollutants remains, and has become the leading threat to the grindadrap. It concludes with a look to the future and at what changes the Faroese would have to make in their current food and cultural systems were the grindadrap to cease, and what the environmental, economic and cultural effects of those changes might be. The major options examined are: increasing the importation of foodstuffs, increasing local food production and redirecting part of the fisheries’ catch from exports to the local market. Each option carries its own environmental, economic and cultural impact. A careful combination of the three will most likely prove to be best, if indeed the grindadrap is to be reduced or abandoned.
Benchmark structural control problem for a seismically excited highway bridge: Phase I and II

SUMMARY Benchmark problems in structural response control have served the international structural controls community as virtual test beds to compare different control algorithms since the first benchmark problem was proposed in 1996 through the sponsorship of the ASCE Structural Control Committee and Task Group on Benchmark Problems, the U.S. Panel on structural control, and International Association of Structural Control and Monitoring (IASCM). These problems offer well-developed models of structural system focusing on the response control of seismic and wind-excited buildings, seismically excited longspan cable-stayed bridges and seismically excited base-isolated buildings using prescribed earthquakes and standard set of evaluation criteria. They have been used by the entire community of researchers, educators, students and practitioners to investigate numerous control devices and algorithms. In 2004, the authors, in collaboration with Professor Ping Tan of Guangzhou University in China and Professor Jian Zhang of the University of California, Los Angeles, developed the benchmark structural control problem for a seismically excited highway bridge through the sponsorship of the ASCE committee on Structural Control and Task Group on Benchmark Problems, the U.S. Panel on structural control and International Association of Structural Control and Monitoring (IASCM). This special issue focuses on contributions to this benchmark structural control problem for a seismically excited highway bridge. Copyright r 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Profiles of induced tumors in animals.

Chemical carcinogens often induce neoplasms which differ qualitatively and quantitatively from tumors that occur spontaneously in the tissue of interest. While some experimental models have produced neoplasms indistinguishable from their spontaneous counterparts, most cause growths that are histogenetically or morphologically different, larger, more numerous, more aggressive, or of shorter latency. Induced tumors may occur in tissues where spontaneous tumors are uncommon. Cells of induced tumors may express phenotypic characteristics (e.g., membrane antigens) not present in corresponding nonneoplastic or spontaneously neoplastic cells. Conversely, some characteristics present in normal or spontaneously neoplastic cells (e.g., certain enzyme activity) may be absent in induced neoplasms. Not only may carcinogens induce tumors that differ from spontaneous ones, but the effect or a particular carcinogen may vary with the condition of its use. The species of strain, sex, and age of the host as well as the dose and route of administration are major variables. Neoplasia is one result of altered cell regulation. If we postulate a central dogma for oncogenensis, induced tumors should arise from the same molecular mechanisms that produce spontaneous tumors. Differences in “profile” reside not in the ultimate mechanism, but in the events which surround it. They result from the myriad of factors which determine the dose of proximal carcinogen to the cell’s sensitive volume, together with those that modify subsequent proliferation and differentiation.
Willingness to live in eldercare institutions among older adults in urban and rural China: a nationwide study

Recent economic development and socio-cultural changes have made it increasingly difficult for Chinese families to provide eldercare. Consequently, institutional care has been strongly promoted to meet older adults' long-term care needs. Although it has been estimated that China needs more beds to meet such needs, unfilled beds have been reported nationwide. One reason for the low occupancy may be a lack of willingness among older adults to live in long-term care institutions. Based on a national survey of 20,255 older adults, this study examined the extent of willingness among older Chinese to live in eldercare institutions, and it was found that in urban and rural areas, only 20 and 17 per cent of older adults, respectively, were willing to do so. Using an integrated theoretical model and logistic regression analyses, this study shows that gender, perceived family harmony, perceived filial piety, socio-cultural beliefs and practices about raising children and eldercare, knowledge and opinion about eldercare institutions, and self-assessed economic status were associated with willingness to live in eldercare institutions for both urban and rural older adults, while other predictors of willingness had different effects. The paper concludes with a discussion of the substantive, theoretical and policy implications for long-term care in China.
The Influence of Age on the Response of Major Depression to Electroconvulsive Therapy: A C.O.R.E. Report

As part of a C.O.R.E., multi-site longitudinal study comparing continuation electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) vs. continuation pharmacotherapy, the authors determined the response of 253 patients with major depression to acute-phase, bilateral ECT by use of the 24-item Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression. Remission rates for three age-groups, > or =65 years; 46-64 years; and < or =45 years, were 90 percent, 89.8 percent, and 70 percent, respectively. Age, as a continuous variable, positively influenced response to treatment. Bilateral, dose-titrated ECT is a highly effective acute treatment for major depression, and older age confers a greater likelihood of achieving remission.
Moments of Absorption Time for a Conditioned Random Walk

A random walk on the set of integers {0,1,2, ..., u } with absorbing barriers at 0 and a is considered. The transition times from the integers z (O<z<a) are random variables with finite moments. The nth moment of the time to absorption at a, Dz,,, conditioned on the walk starting at z and being absorbed at a, is discussed, and a difference equation with boundary values and initial values for Dz,, is given. It is solved in several special cases. The problem is motivated by questions from biology about tumor growth and multigene evolution which are discussed. .
Learning-Based Fusion for Data Deduplication

Rule-based deduplication utilizes expert domain knowledge to identify and remove duplicate data records. Achieving high accuracy in a rule-based system requires the creation of rules containing a good combination of discriminatory clues. Unfortunately, accurate rule-based deduplication often requires significant manual tuning of both the rules and the corresponding thresholds. This need for manual tuning reduces the efficacy of rule-based deduplication and its applicability to real-world data sets. No adequate solution exists for this problem. We propose a novel technique for rule-based deduplication. We apply individual deduplication rules, and combine the resultant match scores via learning-based information fusion. We show empirically that our fused deduplication technique achieves higher average accuracy than traditional rule-based deduplication. Further, our technique alleviates the need for manual tuning of the deduplication rules and corresponding thresholds.
Mapping the future, mapping education: an analysis of the 2011 State of the Union Address

This article presents a discourse analysis of President Barack Obama’s 2011 State of the Union Address. Fredric Jameson’s concepts of cognitive mapping, cultural revolution, and the unconscious are employed to examine the president’s vision of educational and economic transformation. Ultimately, it is argued this vision evokes a world in which individual citizens direct their deepest aspirations into channels of capitalist development. Prominent among these channels are reconfigured structures of education.
Transient analysis of diode switching circuits using asymptotic waveform evaluation

An efficient transient analysis of diode switching circuits using the asymptotic waveform evaluation (AWE) technique is presented. The method accurately simulates the excess carrier redistribution phenomenon in a diode junction using a reduced order model. The diode model is derived by directly solving the carrier continuity equations in an analogous manner to that of the AWE solution to transmission-line equations. The method efficiently calculates the poles and the residues of the diode model by recursively generating the moments of the carrier concentrations. It reduces the computational cost by an order of magnitude over that for Linvill's multisection model of ladder or lattice networks of many lumped elements used to model carrier diffusion and the recombination process. The pole-residue model is capable of providing an increasingly accurate approximation to the characteristics of a diode under all operating conditions. The diode recovery phenomenon is simulated for illustration, and the improved accuracy is verified by comparisons with results from conventional methods and published works.
Velvetbean (Mucuna pruriens) extracts: impact on Meloidogyne incognita survival and on Lycopersicon esculentum and Lactuca sativa germination and growth.

Velvetbean (Mucuna spp.) is a summer annual that has been used as a cover crop to reduce erosion, fix nitrogen and suppress weeds and plant-parasitic nematodes. Crude aqueous extracts (1:15 dry weight plant/volume water) were made from velvetbean plant parts, and various concentrations of the extracts were evaluated in vitro for toxicities to different stages of Meloidogyne incognita (Kofoid and White) Chitwood and for suppression of hypocotyl and root growth and inhibition of germination of tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum L.) and lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.). Germination was only affected by the full-strength extract from leaf blades. Lettuce root growth was the most sensitive indicator of allelopathic activity of the plant part extracts. Lettuce and tomato root growth was more sensitive to the extract from main roots than to extracts of other plant parts, with lethal concentration (LC50) values of 1.2 and 1.1% respectively. Meloidogyne incognita egg hatch was less sensitive to extracts from velvetbean than the juvenile (J2) stage. There was no difference among LC50 values of the extracts from different plant parts against the egg stage. Based on LC50 values, the extract from fine roots was the least toxic to J2 (LC50 39.9%), and the extract from vines the most toxic (LC50 7.8%). The effects of the extracts were nematicidal because LC50 values did not change when the extracts were removed and replaced with water. Published in 2006 by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd
The DTI Connectivity of the Human Claustrum

The origin, structure, and function of the claustrum, as well as its role in neural computation, have remained a mystery since its discovery in the 17th century. Assessing the in vivo connectivity of the claustrum may bring forth useful insights with relevance to model the overall functionality of the claustrum itself. Using structural and diffusion tensor neuroimaging in N = 100 healthy subjects, we found that the claustrum has the highest connectivity in the brain by regional volume. Network theoretical analyses revealed that (a) the claustrum is a primary contributor to global brain network architecture, and that (b) significant connectivity dependencies exist between the claustrum, frontal lobe, and cingulate regions. These results illustrate that the claustrum is ideally located within the human central nervous system (CNS) connectome to serve as the putative "gate keeper" of neural information for consciousness awareness. Our findings support and underscore prior theoretical contributions about the involvement of the claustrum in higher cognitive function and its relevance in devastating neurological disease.