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In low‐lying coastal regions, the joint occurrence of high river flow and high water levels can cause coastal flooding with substantial economic and social implications. Recent studies over Canada's coasts have shown that neglecting the interdependency between flood drivers can underestimate the risk of flooding by up to 50%. However, to date, such interdependency has not been investigated for the coasts of the St. Lawrence River, Estuary and Gulf system (StL), where Sea Level Rise (SLR), along with intensified river peaks, are already threatening these communities. In this study, a copula‐based bivariate frequency analysis was applied to quantify the likelihood of occurrence of flooding events under dependent and independent assumptions, for 26 sites along the StL. Furthermore, to quantify the impact of anthropogenic climate change, the joint return period in historical period was compared with that of projected SLR associated with RCP 8.5 for the year 2100. Results show that (a) the independence assumption can underestimate the likelihood of occurrence of flooding event in the Fluvial Section of the StL by up to 30 times and (b) the SLR can increase the likelihood of occurrence of flooding event by up to 50 times in the Estuary and the Gulf and by up to 5 times in the Fluvial Section of the StL. This study highlights the need for explicit consideration of the dependence between flood drivers and of SLR in the delineation of flood maps along the coast of the St. Lawrence. Plain Language Summary: Coastal communities are at risk of flooding from both high river streamflow and high coastal water levels at the same time. However, to date, this kind of compound event has not been investigated for the coasts of the StL. As such, in this study, extreme return levels were computed at 26 sites along the St. Lawrence River, Estuary and Gulf system by taking the probability of occurrence of both high peak flow and high coastal water levels, as well as the probability of their joint occurrence. Furthermore, the impact of climate change was estimated by incorporating an increase in sea level as projected by high emission scenarios. Results show that joint occurrence of high river flow and water levels is likely to happen in the Fluvial Section of the St. Lawrence River, but less so elsewhere, and that sea level rise will have a severe impact on likelihood of occurrence of flooding events in the Estuary and the Gulf, but limited impact along the Fluvial Section. This study highlights the need to take both flood drivers, their interaction with each other, as well as the impacts of sea level rise into consideration in the delineation of flood maps located along the coast of StL. Key Points: Bivariate Frequency Analysis of extreme water level and river flows of 26 river outlets along the coast of the St. Lawrence River under independent and dependent assumption between flood driversThe assumption of independence can underestimate the likelihood of occurrence by up to 30 times in the Fluvial SectionSea level rise increases the likelihood flooding up to 5 and 50 times in the Fluvial and Estuary/Gulf of St. Lawrence River [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The governor parameters affect the stability and regulation quality of hydropower system with two turbine units sharing a super long headrace tunnel (SLHT). To improve the transient process of hydropower system, this study investigates the optimization of governor parameters. First, the model of hydropower system with two turbine units sharing an SLHT is established. Second, the optimization scheme of governor parameters for transient process of hydropower system is designed by genetic algorithm. The mathematical formulation of genetic algorithm is illuminated. The implementation procedure of genetic algorithm is illustrated. Then, the optimization results of governor parameters by genetic algorithm are analyzed by illustrating the regulation quality of hydropower system under two operating conditions. Finally, the effect of asymmetrical factors on optimal governor parameters is revealed. The asymmetrical layout of bifurcated penstocks, asymmetrical layout of turbine units, and asymmetrical load disturbances are considered. The results indicate that the objective function of hydropower system is composed of the dynamic indexes for frequency oscillations of two turbine units and water level oscillation in surge tank. The fitness function evolves in the direction that makes the regulation quality of hydropower system become better. Under the symmetrical or asymmetrical bifurcated penstocks, turbine units, and load disturbances, the optimal parameters of governors are asymmetrical. The regulation quality of hydropower system under the governor parameters of genetic algorithm is obviously better than that under the governor parameters of Stein formula. The optimal governor parameters are directly affected by the asymmetrical factors of hydropower system. With the increase of the flow inertia of one bifurcated penstock, the optimal parameters of the other governor become greater. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aims to explore the formation mechanism of starch structure and the relationships between the appearance quality and starch structure of soft rice under different nitrogen levels. We comprehensively investigated the physiological aspects, starch structure variations, and appearance quality of soft rice in response to different nitrogen applications. The results showed that under the moderate nitrogen application (270 N), the soft rice exhibited the highest AGPase activity, the highest large‐starch granule content, and the lowest chalkiness. Under the highest nitrogen application (360 N), the soft rice exhibited the highest GBSS and DBE activity and the lowest SBE activity, the highest content of long‐branched amylopectin, the lowest relative crystallinity, the fewest ordered structures, the most amorphous structures, the largest semi‐crystalline lamellar thicknesses, and the highest transparency of chalk‐free rice. In conclusion, moderate nitrogen fertilization (270 N) improved the AGPase activity, which leaded to fuller starch granules and more compact endosperm in soft rice. Thus, the grain chalkiness of soft rice decreased. Continuous nitrogen application (0‐360 N) constantly increased the GBSS and DBE activity and reduced the SBE activity in soft rice, leading a lower content of short‐branched amylopectin and a higher content of long‐branched amylopectin in soft rice. Thus, the relative crystallinity and ordered structures of soft rice were reduced. These structures improved the transparency phenotype of soft rice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Aims: Keratoconus is a progressive eye condition in which the normally round cornea thins and bulges outwards into a cone shape. This irregular shape causes light to scatter in multiple directions as it enters the eye, leading to distorted vision, increased sensitivity to light and frequent changes in the prescription of glasses or contact lenses. Detecting keratoconus at an early stage is not only difficult but also challenging. Methods: The study has proposed an ensemble‐based machine learning (ML) technique named KeratoEL to detect keratoconus at an early stage. The proposed KeratoEL model combines the basic machine learning algorithms, namely support vector machine (SVM), decision tree (DT), random forest (RF) and artificial neural network (ANN). Before employing the ML model for keratoconus detection, the data set is first preprocessed manually by eliminating some features that don't contribute any significant value to predict the exact class. Moreover, the output features are labelled into three different classes and Extra Trees Classifier is used to find out the important features. Then, the features are sorted in descending order and top 45, 30, and 15 features are taken as input datasets against the output. Finally, different machine learning models are tested using the input datasets and performance metrics are measured Results: The proposed model obtains 98.0%, 98.9% and 99.8% accuracy for top 45, 30, and 15 number of features respectively. Overall experimental results show that the proposed ensemble model outperforms the existing machine learning models. Conclusion: The proposed KeratoEL model effectively detects keratoconus at an early stage by combining SVM, DT, RF, and ANN algorithms, demonstrating superior performance over existing models. These results underscore the potential of the KeratoEL ensemble approach in enhancing early detection and treatment of keratoconus. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, the stability criteria are used to graphically determine the startup of oscillation in a Smith chart. This approach is suitable for slightly unstable circuits near the resonated frequency. In practice, an available design of a microwave two-port oscillator is presented here. © 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 19: 144–149, 1998. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BSTRACT Traditionally, identification of the Muskingum routing coefficients has been based on observations of the linearity of a loop formed by graphically plotting a forward and a reverse path. This graphical procedure is time-consuming and may not minimize the error of estimation. A procedure was developed to improve the drawbacks of the graphical method. This procedure calls for (a) the use of least square regression on the forward and reverse paths to determine their respective slopes, and (b) the use of statistical t-test to evaluate the hypothesis that these two slopes are equal. The computational procedure is repeated, using incremental values of the flow weighting coefficient, x. A graph of the computed t-value versus x can be constructed. The optimal value of x, as read from the graph, occurs at the minimum computed t-value. The procedure has been demonstrated superior to the graphical method for three illustrative examples, resulting in a reduction of the error squares by factors ranging from 5 to 6. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: MRI is the imaging modality of choice for diagnosis and intervention assessment in neurological disease. Its full potential has not been realized due in part to challenges in harmonizing advanced techniques across multiple sites.Purpose: To develop a method for the assessment of reliability and repeatability of advanced multisite-multisession neuroimaging studies and specifically to assess the reliability of an advanced MRI protocol, including multiband fMRI and diffusion tensor MRI, in a multisite setting.Study Type: Prospective.Population: Twice repeated measurement of a single subject with stable relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (MS) at seven institutions.Field Strength/sequence: A 3 T MRI protocol included higher spatial resolution anatomical scans, a variable flip-angle longitudinal relaxation rate constant (R1 ≡ 1/T1 ) measurement, quantitative magnetization transfer imaging, diffusion tensor imaging, and a resting-state fMRI (rsFMRI) series.Assessment: Multiple methods of assessing intrasite repeatability and intersite reliability were evaluated for imaging metrics derived from each sequence.Statistical Tests: Student's t-test, Pearson's r, and intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) (2,1) were employed to assess repeatability and reliability. Two new statistical metrics are introduced that frame reliability and repeatability in the respective units of the measurements themselves.Results: Intrasite repeatability was excellent for quantitative R1 , magnetization transfer ratio (MTR), and diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) based metrics (r > 0.95). rsFMRI metrics were less repeatable (r = 0.8). Intersite reliability was excellent for R1 , MTR, and DWI (ICC >0.9), and moderate for rsFMRI metrics (ICC∼0.4).Data Conclusion: From most reliable to least, using a new reliability metric introduced here, MTR > R1 > DWI > rsFMRI; for repeatability, MTR > DWI > R1 > rsFMRI. A graphical method for at-a-glance assessment of reliability and repeatability, effect sizes, and outlier identification in multisite-multisession neuroimaging studies is introduced.Level Of Evidence: 1 Technical Efficacy: Stage 2 J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2019;50:878-888. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In recent years, there is a trend towards the development of reconfigurable circuits where devices using them offer flexibility and performance. Different technologies are explored, such as threshold logic gates (TLGs), which are one of the most promising future technologies, and researchers are examining and improving different characteristics such as density, performance and power dissipation. This research presents a 4‐bit arithmetic logic unit (ALU), which was designed using TLGs through reconfigurable logic blocks with a universal circuit configured with three stages based on a floating‐gate metal oxide semiconductor transistor with more than one control gate, which was named neu‐complementary metal oxide semiconductor (ν‐CMOS). The main contribution is that this device is configured as a ν‐CMOS inverter and has the ability to program the threshold voltage of its transfer curve by applying an external voltage to the additional control gates. The number of input bits and the magnitude of the weighted input capacitances related to control gates of the ν‐CMOS inverters is obtained and analyzed by using the graphical method (floating‐gate potential diagram). Finally, the proposed 4‐bit ALU shows similar results as those measured from the ALUs implemented in the field programmable gate array evaluation kit and the Motorola chip MC14581B. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, phase behaviours and mass‐transfer mechanisms of a Bakken light crude oil‐CO2 system are studied. A series of PVT tests of the light crude oil‐CO2 system are conducted to measure CO2 solubilities, oil‐swelling factors, and CO2‐saturated oil densities at different equilibrium pressures and the actual reservoir temperature of Tres = 56.0 °C. Five CO2 diffusion tests in the light crude oil are performed at five different initial test pressures (Pi = 4.1, 5.2, 6.3, 7.7, and 9.0 MPa) and Tres = 56.0 °C by applying the pressure decay method (PDM). The graphical method (GM) is used to analyze the measured test pressure versus time data of each diffusion test and determine CO2 average diffusivity in the light crude oil. It is found that the so‐called density‐driven natural convection can occur in the CO2‐saturated light crude oil as its measured density is much higher than that of the dead light crude oil. Three distinct periods of CO2 dissolution into the light crude oil are identified: the natural convection‐dominated period (I), the transition period, and the molecular diffusion‐dominated period (II). The determined CO2 effective diffusivities (Deff) in Period I and CO2 molecular diffusivities (D) in Period II from the GM are in the ranges of 0.28–1.75 × 10−6 m2/s and 0.87–1.94 × 10−9 m2/s at the initial test pressures of Pi = 4.1–9.0 MPa, respectively. Finally, it is also found that the constant Z‐factor approximation used in the GM may cause a relatively large error in the determination of Deff or D. Measured ln[P(t)−Peq] versus time data and determined corresponding two linear regression lines for Periods I and II at Tres = 56.0 °C in Test #3 (Pi = 6251.5 kPa). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The long‐term water absorption behavior of UD and ±45 carbon fiber/977‐2 epoxy composite and unreinforced 977‐2 epoxy resin has been studied at different environments with various temperatures and relative humidities. Fickian behavior was noticed initially followed by a slight and continuing increase in saturation with time, a behavior that continues for at least 4 years. Fickian saturation and diffusion coefficients of all materials were derived using graphical method. Initial Fickian equilibrium moisture contents were found not to be dependent on temperature but the long‐term increase in solubility increased with temperature. Absorption rates showed strong dependency on temperature and relative humidity. The activation energy values for all materials in the initial stage found to be much higher (40 kJ/mole) than the long‐term stage (10 kJ/mole). Ea values of the neat resin were observed to be slightly lower than the composites. The slow continued weight gain in the long‐term absorption experiments has been seen to be coupled with an incomplete drying and a higher diffusion rate on drying and subsequent re‐conditioning. The possible reasons and mechanisms for the long‐term gradual increase in moisture absorption was further investigated. It was found that molecular relaxation is the most likely dominant mechanism. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 58:2175–2184, 2018. © 2018 Society of Plastics Engineers [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The peculiarity of lidar systems is to provide profiles of optical properties of the atmosphere. The use of specific wavelengths and the selection of different kinds of backscattering (elastic, Raman, polarisation selective) permit to obtain information about suspended particles (aerosols). The authors show here a case study in which particle signals are detected from the boundary layer up to the stratosphere. Information on the size distribution of the different layers can be obtained, using a graphical method relying on the spectral dependence of aerosol extinction. The authors apply this method, for the first time to their knowledge, to stratospheric aerosol. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Purpose: Neuroinflammation has been implicated in the pathophysiology of Parkinson's disease (PD), which might be influenced by successful neuroprotective drugs. The uptake of [11 C](R)-PK11195 (PK) is often considered to be a proxy for neuroinflammation, and can be quantified using the Logan graphical method with an image-derived blood input function, or the Logan reference tissue model using automated reference region extraction. The purposes of this study were (1) to assess whether these noninvasive image analysis methods can discriminate between patients with PD and healthy volunteers (HVs), and (2) to establish the effect size that would be required to distinguish true drug-induced changes from system variance in longitudinal trials.Methods: The sample consisted of 20 participants with PD and 19 HVs. Two independent teams analyzed the data to compare the volume of distribution calculated using image-derived input functions (IDIFs), and binding potentials calculated using the Logan reference region model.Results: With all methods, the higher signal-to-background in patients resulted in lower variability and better repeatability than in controls. We were able to use noninvasive techniques showing significantly increased uptake of PK in multiple brain regions of participants with PD compared to HVs.Conclusion: Although not necessarily reflecting absolute values, these noninvasive image analysis methods can discriminate between PD patients and HVs. We see a difference of 24% in the substantia nigra between PD and HV with a repeatability coefficient of 13%, showing that it will be possible to estimate responses in longitudinal, within subject trials of novel neuroprotective drugs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Open science skills are increasingly important for a career in ecology and evolutionary biology (EEB) as efforts to make data and analyses publicly available continue to become more commonplace. While learning core concepts in EEB, students are also expected to gain skills in conducting open science to prepare for future careers. Core open science skills like programming, data sharing, and practices that promote reproducibility can be taught to undergraduate students alongside core concepts in EEB. Yet, these skills are not always taught in biology undergraduate programs, and a major challenge in developing open science skills and learning EEB concepts simultaneously is the high cognitive load associated with learning multiple disparate concepts at the same time. One solution is to provide students with easily digestible, scaffolded, pre‐formatted code in the form of vignettes and interactive tutorials. Here, we present six open source teaching tutorials for undergraduate students in EEB. These tutorials teach fundamental ecological concepts, data literacy, programming (using R software), and analysis skills using publicly available datasets while introducing students to open science concepts and tools. Spanning a variety of EEB topics and skill levels, these tutorials serve as examples and resources for educators to integrate open science tools, programming, and data literacy into teaching EEB at the undergraduate level. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The export of neritic material from the top of carbonate platforms is a key process in the construction of their slopes. However, our knowledge of the supply pattern of materials from platforms is dominantly based on platforms lying in the euphotic zone during the present sea‐level highstand. This is a somewhat biased perspective as through geological time not all platforms were euphotic. The Saya de Malha Bank in the Mascarene Plateau is an example of a modern mesophotic carbonate platform, and as such, its flooding and export patterns differ from those of euphotic ones. Using cores collected on the western slope of the Saya de Malha Bank, the export patterns of the platform since the last glacial maximum were explored. Material on the platform edge is winnowed and transported to the slope by multiple possible processes. The material on the platform is a combination of high and low magnesium calcite as well as high and low strontium aragonite, integrating pelagic and neritic sources. The ratio of these constituents varies over time with changes in the platform production capability as it was flooded and drowned during the Holocene transgression. The material from the platform is transported in both confined flows, mainly during lowstands, and unconfined flows, mainly during late transgression and early highstand. In the present state of the highstand, supply may have diminished, leading to erosion of the canyon shoulders. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Currently available behavioral and dietary weight‐loss programs lack magnitude and sustainability compared with bariatric surgery. A novel dietary weight‐loss program was developed to assist participants in achieving sustainable diet changes by building knowledge and skills in food self‐selection. Although the approach worked, a large variation was observed in outcome among participants. Objective: Determine factors affecting weight‐loss outcomes among participants to further improve the efficacy of the program. Methods: Participants attended 19 dietary educational sessions during a 1‐year intervention which included prescribed homework. Changes in weight, diet, and body composition were assessed. Results: Participants (n = 22) achieved mean body weight loss of −6.49(8.37%, p < 0.001) from baseline at 12 months. Nine participants (41%) achieved weight loss >5% of initial bodyweight; two reached a Body Mass Index 25 kg/m2. A large divergence in weight loss among participants was observed; successful (n = 9) achieved −12.9(9.6)% while unsuccessful achieved −2.03(2.78)%. Dietary protein and fiber density by 24‐h records showed a significant and inverse correlation with weight loss (%) throughout the program. Weight loss at 3 months and 12 months showed a strong correlation (r = 0.84). Participants with self‐reported depression lost significantly less weight than those without depression at 12 months (p < 0.03). Conclusions: Divergence in weight‐loss outcomes among the participants is likely due to a difference in successful dietary implementation. Intra‐cohort analysis indicates early weight‐loss success and early dietary implementation was predictive of long‐term success. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper extends the characteristic ratio approach using novel inequalities to ensure zero/low overshoot for linear‐time‐invariant systems with zeros. The extension provided by this paper is based on the maximally‐flatness property of a transfer function, where the square‐magnitude of the transfer function is ensured to be a low‐pass filter. In order to be able to design low‐order/fixed structure controllers, a partial pole‐assignment approach is used instead of the full pole‐assignment used in the Characteristic Ratio Assignment (CRA) method. The developed inequalities and additional stability conditions are combined into an optimization problem using time domain restrictions when necessary. Although the method given in the paper is general, particular inequalities are developed for PI and PI‐PD controller cases, due to their frequent use in industrial applications. Similarly, First‐Order‐Plus‐Delay‐Time (FOPDT) and Second‐Order‐Plus‐Delay‐Time (SOPDT) systems are considered specifically, since most of the practical systems can be approximated by one of these types. The study is extended to plants with uncertainties where a theorem is developed to decrease computation time dramatically. The benefits of the proposed methods are demonstrated by several examples. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The multi‐environmental trials aid breeders in selecting the best genotypes for specific or general adaptability to different environments before commercial release. This study aimed to assess the stability of 13 new soybean pure lines, along with two controls, in terms of seed yield and important agronomic traits. The assessment was based on a completely randomized block design with three replications across four areas during 2020–2022. Various adaptability methods, including parametric, AMMI, GGE biplot, PCA, and SIIG were employed. The mixed analysis showed that the effects of environment, genotype, and genotype–environment (GE) interaction were significant for most studied traits. The AMMI showed the highest portion of environment (65.89%) in soybean seed yield. Based on all stability parameters, lines 2 and 5 were selected for their average seed yields of 3349 and 3142 kg ha−1, respectively. Additionally, lines 6 and 5 showed the most stability, yielding higher than the average, which were 2992 and 3142 kg ha−1, respectively, according to GGE biplot results. Furthermore, lines 2, 5, and 8 were identified as the ideal genotypes concerning seed yield and other agronomic traits, with high SIIG parameters and yields exceeding the average. Finally, the soybean line 5 was deemed the most suitable due to its higher yield, stability, and early maturity (128‐day growth period). Therefore, line 5 is considered appropriate for its high stability and earliness in various regions of Iran. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Electrocrystallization is a promising method for controlled charge‐transfer complex (CTC) deposition on microfabricated electrodes for gas sensing applications. However, there remains a gap in our understanding of CTC electrodeposition. In this study, we focus on investigating the electrocrystallization of cobalt tetracyanoquinodimethane (Co‐TCNQ) on a microdisk electrode to elucidate and control the process. Leveraging the microelectrode technique, we conduct steady‐state measurements to observe nucleation and crystal growth dynamics, particularly in the early stages of electrocrystallization. We use cyclic voltammetry and chronoamperometry to examine Co‐TCNQ electrocrystallization under various electrolytic conditions. We identify electrocrystallization kinetics, ranging from electrokinetic to diffusion‐limited growth, governing the nucleation and growth of Co‐TCNQ crystals. Notably, we pinpoint the applied overpotential and precursor concentration range necessary for a single nucleation site on the microelectrode. Moreover, we demonstrate control over crystal orientation and morphology. Our findings reveal a nonclassical growth pathway for Co‐TCNQ crystals characterized by oriented attachment of small crystallites along the conductive long axis. Importantly, electrodeposited Co‐TCNQ on patterned microelectrodes exhibits selective sensing capabilities for nitrogen dioxide gas. Overall, this study sheds light on CTC electrodeposition through a proof‐of‐concept demonstration involving Co‐TCNQ electrodeposition on microelectrodes, presenting potential applications across diverse materials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

PET imaging studies of the role of the dopamine D2 receptor family in movement and neuropsychiatric disorders are limited by the use of radioligands that have near-equal affinities for D2 and D3 receptor subtypes and are susceptible to competition with endogenous dopamine. By contrast, the radioligand [18F] N-methylbenperidol ([18F]NMB) has high selectivity and affinity for the D2 receptor subtype (D2R) and is not sensitive to endogenous dopamine. Although [18F]NMB has high binding levels in striatum, its utility for measuring D2R in extrastriatal regions is unknown. A composite MR-PET image was constructed across 14 healthy adult participants representing average NMB uptake 60 to 120 min after [18F]NMB injection. Regional peak radioactivity was identified using a peak-finding algorithm. FreeSurfer and manual tracing identified a priori regions of interest (ROI) on each individual's MR image and tissue activity curves were extracted from coregistered PET images. [18F]NMB binding potentials (BPNDs) were calculated using the Logan graphical method with cerebellum as reference region. In eight unique participants, extrastriatal BPND estimates were compared between Logan graphical methods and a three-compartment kinetic tracer model. Radioactivity and BPND levels were highest in striatum, lower in extrastriatal subcortical regions, and lowest in cortical regions relative to cerebellum. Age negatively correlated with striatal BPNDs. BPND estimates for extrastriatal ROIs were highly correlated across kinetic and graphical methods. Our findings indicate that PET with [18F]NMB measures specific binding in extrastriatal regions, making it a viable radioligand to study extrastriatal D2R levels in healthy and diseased states. Synapse 66:770-780, 2012. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article analyzes a concentration-mass load diagram to determine the effect of decomposition on water use and on the regeneration reuse water system (RRWS). Several sequential mathematical models and a superstructure are developed and evaluated in their capacity to optimize single contaminant RRWS. In addition, a graphical method is used to assess the performance of decomposition strategies.

We present a graphical method that uses a statistical likelihood approach to summarize evidence and risk in fishery status evaluation. The graphical method is based on the surplus production model and shows the fishery status as regions and colors on graphs. Two fishery status graphs are used: one is based on the comparison between observed catch and catch at the fishing mortality level corresponding to maximum sustainable yield; the other one is based on the comparison between observed catch and catch at the surplus production level. The graphical statistical likelihood approach quantifies the strength of evidence in supporting different hypotheses of fishing status as regions in the status graphs. A simulated hypothetical fishery is given as an example. Results are graphically presented to show the exploitation status of the fishery, and they compare favorably with those from a composite risk assessment method. This graphical statistical likelihood approach may improve the communication of knowledge and evidence among scientists, fishery stakeholders, and management agencies and may provide a better understanding of current fishery status. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Sound evidence-based clinical and policy therapy recommendations depend on a process of acquiring literature, appraising it for study design and quality, and assessing its results in terms of relative benefits and harms. In this article we describe two summary metrics that have been developed to assist guideline developers to assess the importance of the quality/size of trials and the relative benefit and harm of treatments, and a related graphical method for displaying them together. Methods: To illustrate this graphic approach, we have used the evidence base for drug therapies for neuropathic pain. “Reliability” is calculated from the sample size and quality of trials, while the second metric, “Net Gain,” is calculated from the relative benefit and harm of each trial. Results: The graphical method differentiated the evidence for neuropathic pain drugs. Conclusions: This graphical output provides a simple and relatively easy way to understand summary of information on large amounts of trial data across a number of therapies, which may present an impression of the evidence at a glance even for a nonexpert. The usefulness of this graphical approach needs to be tested in the development of future clinical guidelines. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cation exchange is one of the most important classes of reactions controlling the soil solution composition for major ions. Modeling ion‐exchange equilibria is complicated by ternary solid‐phase interactions. The present study alleges that spurious ternary‐interactions can be reported when dilution of the exchanging ions by other ions on the solid‐phase is not accounted for in models. Ion‐exchange equilibria data from the NH4+–Ca2+–K+–vermiculite system is used to demonstrate that previous reports of ternary interactions in this system are an artifact of how solid‐phase mole fractions are defined; what mathematicians call "compositional incoherence." A graphical method to distinguish the effects of dilution from real chemical interactions is presented using mole fractions renormalizing in the ternary system so that they are defined the same way as they are in binary systems. Potassium was shown to not influence NH4+–Ca2+ exchange on vermiculite when these corrections for solid‐phase dilution were used. Core Ideas: Spurious ternary chemical interactions can be found in ternary ion‐exchange data.Spurious interactions are caused by dilution in the solid phase.A method to eliminate spurious interactions in ion‐exchange is developed.No ternary interactions are in the NH4+–Ca2+–K+–vermiculite system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ABSTRACT This article presents a simple graphical method for introducing phase correction in the electric field for a dielectric loaded substrate integrated waveguide H-plane sectorial horn antenna. An additional pair of rectangular patches with the dielectric loading to the horn antenna provides significant reduction of sidelobe level while maintaining similar gains and beamwidths. Phase plots generated by CAD help explaining the phase correction mechanism and designing. Our studies demonstrated that the reduction of the sidelobe bandwidth is up to 20% of the center frequency. The fabricated antenna operates at 22.7 GHz, and the measured radiation patterns are in good agreement with the simulation results. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 59:584-588, 2017 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study presents a comprehensive delay-dependent stability analysis of a micro-grid system with constant communication delays. First, an exact method that takes into account both gain and phase margins (GPMs) is proposed to determine stability delay margins in terms of system and controller parameters. The method implements an elimination procedure to transform transcendental characteristic equation into a standard polynomial of the crossing frequency. The real roots of this new standard polynomial exactly match with the purely imaginary roots (crossing frequencies) of the original characteristic equation with transcendental terms. Second, an effective and simple graphical method is implemented to compute all stabilising proportional integral (PI) controller gains for a given time delay. The approach is based on extracting stability region and the stability boundary locus in the PI controller parameter space having user defined GPMs, and relative stability. The time-domain simulation studies indicate that the proposed schemes give better desired dynamic performance as compared with the recently developed schemes for micro-grid with communication delays. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, a graphical modelling approach of the pinched hysteresis loops exhibited by memristors is presented. This method provides a tool to emulate the hysteresis loop pinched at the origin, with the lobe area varying with the excitation frequency. The direction of the pinched hysteresis loop can be controlled. This graphical modelling method provides an alternative to describe the behaviour of memristors without deriving the coupled non‐linear differential equations typically required for physical memristors. The method has been successfully applied to model the Hewlett–Packard memristor device. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We propose statistical definitions of the individual benefit of a medical or behavioral treatment and of the severity of a chronic illness. These definitions are used to develop a graphical method that can be used by statisticians and clinicians in the data analysis of clinical trials from the perspective of personalized medicine. The method focuses on assessing and comparing individual effects of treatments rather than average effects and can be used with continuous and discrete responses, including dichotomous and count responses. The method is based on new developments in generalized linear mixed-effects models, which are introduced in this article. To illustrate, analyses of data from the Sequenced Treatment Alternatives to Relieve Depression clinical trial of sequences of treatments for depression and data from a clinical trial of respiratory treatments are presented. The estimation of individual benefits is also explained. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article presents a Python‐based package, ipyChord, to compute the 2D chord distribution function (CDF) from the small‐angle X‐ray scattering (SAXS) pattern from polymer materials with fiber‐symmetrical nanostructure. The program allows construction of a harmonized SAXS pattern from a raw SAXS pattern, by normalization of the incident‐beam intensity, absorption correction for sample thickness, masking blind areas on the detector, and filling in the shadow of the beamstop and its holder using symmetry operations. Patterns from modular detectors with inter‐module gaps can still be fully constructed satisfactorily after determining the optimized beam position and a radial basis function. A CDF pattern computed from the full SAXS pattern can be used to determine the domain size and its variability using a graphical method. An interface distribution function computed from Bonart's longitudinal projection or sliced from a CDF meridian can quantify differently stacked hard and soft domains. Two cases of the application of ipyChord are presented. The software is open source and available at https://github.com/isaxs/ipyChord. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this article, we present a transmission line application (TLA) MATLAB Toolbox capable of solving the single-stub and double-stub matching problems for transmission lines using the graphical method of the Smith chart. The package handles both the short stub and open stub cases and provides an analytical and graphical solution. For each of the aforementioned problems, the software produces the corresponding Smith chart and a summary of the final results. The software provides the user with the flexibility to tackle other potential design problems that can be handled by the Smith chart techniques. © 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Comput Appl Eng Educ 6: 23–30, 1998 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Describes the residual income profile, a graphical method that summarizes the profitability characteristics of a division of a firm and illustrates the relationship between return on investment and residual income. Sensitivity of the residual income calculation to change in interest rates; Other uses of residual income profile.

Vegetation and soils were sampled along two traverses near Mineral, Virginia (U.S.A), and analysed for concentrations of Cu, Zn, Ag, Cd and Pb. The concentrations of Cu, Zn, Cd and Pb in plants were lowest in leaves; concentrations of Cd and Pb increased with age of twigs. Quercus alba L. and the hybridized Quercus rubra L./falcate Michx./velutina L. group contained the highes Cd and lowest Pb concentrations, whereas Cornus florida L. contained the lowest Cd and highest Pb. Evidence of selective uptake of Cu, relative to Ag, occurred in Q. alba, since Cu/Ag ratios in twigs were the inverse of those in soils, since the Cu/Ag ratios were greater in twigs than in soils, and since Cu and Ag concentrations were not correlated within the twigs. On the other hand, there was evidence of non-selectivity of Cd, compared with Zn, in both Q. alba and Q. rubra/falcate/velutina, since Zn and Cd concentrations were correlated within several organs and between different organs. Other species studied showed greater selectivity in their uptake and distribution of Cd compared with Zn. On the basis of the graphical method of Timperley et al. (1970), Cu and Zn were defined as essential, while Pb and Ag were non-essential. Cd appeared to be essential, but this was probably due to non-selective uptake of Cd. The limitations of the method are briefly discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Design of experiments is a quality technology to achieve product excellence, that is to achieve high quality at low cost. It is a tool to optimize product and process designs, to accelerate the development cycle, to reduce development costs, to improve the transition of products from R & D to manufacturing and to troubleshoot manufacturing problems effectively. It has been successfully, but sporadically, used in the United States. More recently, it has been identified as a major technological reason for the success of Japan in producing high-quality products at low cost. In the United States, the need for increased competitiveness and the emphasis on quality improvement demands a widespread use of design of experiments by engineers, scientists and quality professionals. In the past, such widespread use has been hampered by a lack of proper training and a lack of availability of tools to easily implement design of experiments in industry. Three steps are essential, and are being taken, to change this situation dramatically. First, simple graphical methods, to design and analyse experiments, need to be developed, particularly when the necessary microcomputer resources are not available. Secondly, engineers, scientists and quality professionals must have access to microcomputer-based software for design and analysis of experiments.' Availability of such software would allow users to concentrate on the important scientific and engineering aspects of the problem by computerizing the necessary statistical expertise. Finally, since a majority of the current workforce is expected to be working in the year 2000, a massive training effort, based upon simple graphical methods and appropriate computer software, is necessary.2 The purpose of this paper is to describe a methodology based upon a new graphical method called interaction graphs and other previously known techniques, to simplify the correct design of practically important fractional factorial experiments. The essential problem in designing a fractional factorial experiment is first stated. The interaction graph for a 16-trial fractional factorial design is given to illustrate how the graphical procedure can be easily used to design a two-level fractional factorial experiment. Other previously known techniques are described to easily modify the two-level fractional factorial designs to create mixed multi-level designs. Interaction graphs for other practically useful fractional factorial designs are provided. A computer package called CADE (computer aided design of experiments), which automatically generates the appropriate fractional factorial designs based upon user specifications of factors, levels and interactions and conducts complete analyses of the designed experiments is briefly described. Finally, the graphical method is compared with other available methods for designing fractional factorial experiments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this investigation was to determine whether chain-breaking antioxidants able to prevent lipid peroxidation can inhibit lipoxygenase-1 (EC 1.13.11.12). Therefore, the effects of ascorbic acid, 6-palmitoylascorbic acid and trolox on the enzyme activity were analyzed by means of Lineweaver-Burk double reciprocal plots and Yoshino's graphical method. The effect of these compounds on the formation of free radicals during lipoxygenase-1 reaction was investigated as well, by monitoring the enzymic formation of oxodienes. We present evidence that the chain-breaking antioxidants ascorbic acid, 6-palmitoylascorbic acid and trolox inhibit soybean lipoxygenase-1 in the micromolar concentration range (Ki 27, 3 and 18 μM, respectively). The inhibition is competitive, complete and reversible. All three compounds trap the free radicals formed during the lipoxygenase-catalyzed reaction, which might substantially contribute to their inhibitory ability. These findings can have physiological significance in the light of the lipoxygenase involvement in biomembrane remodelling. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The hyporheic zone is a hotspot for biogeochemical cycling where interactions with mineral metals preserve the release and biodegradation of organic matter (OM). A small fraction of OM can still be exchanged between localized sediments and the overlying water column, and recent evidence suggests there exists a longitudinal structuring in sediment dissolved OM (DOM) chemistry across the continental United States (CONUS). In this study, we tested a hypothesis that water extractable sediment DOM chemistry could be explained by sediment metal contents and integrative watershed scale features at the CONUS scale. Crowdsourced samples were characterized for high resolution mass spectrometry and coupled with sediment metals determined via x‐ray fluorescence as well as with land cover and soil elemental information obtained from national databases. Our results highlight weak relationships between DOM chemistry and elemental composition at the CONUS scale indicating limited transferability of organo‐metal linkages into multi‐scale hydrobiogeochemical models. Plain Language Summary: The hyporheic zone is a vital area for chemical cycling that influences the breakdown of organic matter due to interactions with minerals and metals. Some organic matter moves between sediment and water. Recent findings show that sediment organic matter chemistry displays unique east‐west patterns across the continental United States. We tested whether crowdsourced sample sediment organic matter composition could be explained by its mineral metal composition and surrounding environmental features (land cover and soil metal composition). Results revealed weak connections between dissolved organic matter chemistry and elements, indicating limits in applying these connections to continental scale models. Key Points: Sediment dissolved organic matter chemistry is longitudinally structured across the continental United StatesSediment and soil mineral elemental compositions were weakly correlated with sediment dissolved organic matter compositionLocalized metal‐organic matter linkages likely have limited capacity to inform continental‐scale hydrobiogeochemical models [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article conducts a comprehensive financial analysis of the competitiveness of confectionery producers in Ukraine within the global confectionery market context. It aims to assess the challenges faced by Ukrainian producers and propose practical strategies to enhance their competitiveness. The research employs various methods, including the construction of a competitive market map and the application of the theory of effective competition. Competitiveness coefficients are calculated to evaluate the performance of key players. A SWOT analysis is conducted to identify strengths and weaknesses, and potential measures for increasing competitiveness are proposed. The global confectionery market has reached $298 billion in 2021, but Ukrainian producers have encountered obstacles, such as the COVID‐19 pandemic, rising production costs and geopolitical conflicts, leading to closures and reduced exports. Roshen emerges as the leader with a 24.7% market share in 2022, although all major companies experienced negative growth rates due to the war. Competitiveness coefficients also position Roshen at the forefront, whilst several other plants demonstrate significant potential. The article's practical significance stems from its data‐driven analysis of competitiveness, providing valuable insights and strategies for managers to improve the production and export capabilities of Ukrainian confectionery producers in the face of global market challenges. Future research could explore sustainable competitive advantages and cost reduction strategies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pharyngocutaneous fistula (PCF) is a major complication after total laryngectomy, with significant morbidity and mortality. Whether mechanical stapler closure of the pharynx reduces fistula rates compared to hand‐sewn techniques remains unclear. We conducted an updated systematic review and meta‐analysis to clarify this question. Five databases were systematically searched from inception through November 2023 for studies comparing stapler versus suture closure for fistula outcomes after laryngectomy. Odds ratios (OR) were pooled using random‐effects models and fixed‐effects models. Subgroup and sensitivity analyses were performed. Risk of bias was appraised using NHLBI tools. Nine studies with 803 patients were included. Mechanical closure significantly reduced fistula incidence versus suture closure (OR = 0.57, 95% CI 0.34–0.95, p = 0.03). Subgroup analysis found that stapling's protective effect varied by patient age, country/region, linear stapler size and female percentage. Stapling reduced fistula odds by 80% in the Turkey subgroup (OR = 0.20, 95% CI 0.09–0.50) but showed no benefit in other regions. Patients <60 years showed an 84% fistula reduction with stapling (OR = 0.17, 95% CI 0.06–0.45), whereas older subgroups did not. Linear stapler size of 60 mm significantly reduced fistula occurrence while 75 mm did not. There was no evidence that low female percentage mitigated stapling benefits. Mechanical stapler closure after total laryngectomy meaningfully reduces the likelihood of postoperative PCF formation compared to hand‐sewn closure, especially for patients younger than 60 years old. The absolute risk reduction supports its utility to prevent this complication. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: While evidence of hyperprogressive disease (HPD) continues to grow, the lack of a consensual definition obscures a proper characterization of HPD incidence. We examined how HPD incidence varies by the tumor type or the type of definition used. Methods: We searched PubMed, Embase, the Cochrane Library of Systematic Reviews, and Web of Science from database inception to June 21, 2022. Observational studies reporting HPD incidence, in patients diagnosed with solid malignant tumors and treated with immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICI), were included. Random‐effects meta‐analyses were performed, and all statistical tests were 2‐sided. Results: HPD incidence was 12.4% (95% CI 10.2%–15.0%) with evidence of heterogeneity (Q = 119.32, p < 0.001). Meta‐regression showed that the risk of developing HPD was higher in patients with advanced gastric cancer (adjusted odds ratio [OR], 10.83; 95% CI, 2.14–54.65; p < 0.001), hepatocellular carcinoma (adjusted OR, 7.99; 95% CI, 1.68–38.13; p = 0.006), non‐small cell lung cancer (adjusted OR, 7.14; 95% CI, 1.58–32.29; p = 0.005), and mixed or other types (adjusted OR, 5.09; 95% CI, 1.12–23.14, p = 0.018) than in patients with renal cell carcinoma. Across definitions, HPD defined as a tumor growth kinetics ratio ≥ 2 (adjusted OR, 1.82; 95% CI, 1.08–3.07; p = 0.025) based on the Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors (RECIST) reported higher incidence than when HPD was defined as RECIST‐defined progressive disease and a change in the tumor growth rate (TGR) exceeding 50% (∆TGR > 50). Conclusions: The incidence of immunotherapy‐related HPD may vary across tumor types and definitions used, supporting the argument for a uniform and improved method of HPD evaluation for informed clinical decision‐making. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, wind characteristics and electricity generation potential from wind energy were investigated in the Bitlis‐Rahva region in eastern Turkey. Ten‐minute wind data from the Bitlis meteorological station were used in the study. The determination of the wind speed (WS) distribution was carried out using the WindPRO program together with the Weibull and Rayleigh distributions. R2, RMSE, and χ2 goodness‐of‐fit tests were used to measure the accuracy of the velocity distribution process. A digital elevation model of the power generation site was created to evaluate wind data and predict turbine performance. Wind power generation performance was evaluated using five different wind turbines (WTs). A power curve model was developed for the WTs to determine the capacity for energy generation. According to the error tests, it has been determined that the results obtained with the WindPRO program can represent the observed wind data most accurately. The results from the WindPRO program analysis showed an average annual WS of 3.26 m/s and a power density of 49.77 W/m2. Increasing height was found to increase WS and power density. The prevailing wind direction was found to be South‐Southwest with a frequency value of 27.5%. The largest capacity factor was obtained from the WT with the largest rotor diameter and rated power. Out of all the WTs examined, the turbine with the largest rated power and rotor diameter produced the greatest amount of energy. According to the capacity factor values calculated for the selected WTs, the region is not considered efficient for wind energy investments. However, as WS and power density increase with increasing altitude, it is thought that different higher parts of the region may be more efficient in terms of wind energy utilization. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

EXPERIMENTS have been carried out to test the predictions of a new theoretical approach to the Oudin technique (Spiers and Augustin, 1957). The graphical method employed for this purpose is described in detail. The antigen (Ag)-antibody (Ab) systems used were crystalline Bovine serum albumin (BSa) and crystalline egg albumin (Ea), with the corresponding rabbit antiserum globulin concentrates. The experimental results fitted the theoretical curves best when both Ag and Ab were incorporated in gel. With Ag in solution the same theoretical curves fitted as for Ag in gel (except for the highest Ag/Ab ratios), but there was a slightly greater scatter of experimental points. The results supported throughout the assumption that the Ag diffused towards the interface and that the Ag concentration was not maintained homogeneous, as claimed by Becker et al. (1951). Conditions for the formation of a stationary line at the gel-gel or liquid-gel interface agreed with those predicted by the new theory rather than with those predicted by Becker et al. By means of the new method it is also possible to obtain estimates of Ag-Ab combining ratios (in the gel) together with a rough estimate of the ratios of the diffusion coefficients of Ag and Ab, neither of which had previously been possible. Diffusion coefficients determined by this new graphical method were about 15 per cent below the accepted values, and the combining ratios R had values in excess of equivalence ratios. Diffusion coefficients calculated from our experimental results according to the theory of Becker et al. (1951) were below those found by the new method. The reasons for this, and results obtained by previous workers, are critically discussed. The effect of variations of temperature and of absolute concentration of the reactants are also examined. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Planar deformation features (PDFs) in quartz are the most important diagnostic features that allow the unambiguous identification of impact structures on Earth. In order to confirm that these features (that are characterized by planar character and form along specific crystallographic planes) are indeed PDFs, they need to be properly investigated and indexed. Following universal-stage measurements, the process of indexing is usually performed manually, using a Wulff stereonet and following a strict procedure, which is time consuming and error prone. In this article, we present WIP, a new Web-based program for indexing planar deformation features in quartz. The correctness of our program is shown by its application to measurements that had previously been indexed manually. The observed minor differences, especially in the absolute frequency percentage of PDFs, are negligible and not significant enough to influence the estimation of shock pressure that could be calculated from the indexed results. Usability of this program is shown using the spatial relationships between a statistically significant number of 278 quartz grains with 409 sets of PDFs analyzed within the area (~35 mm²) of a single thin section of a meta-greywacke from the Bosumtwi impact structure. Our program is not only more accurate and faster than the manual (graphical) method but also removes the human error from the plotting process and allows control of several parameters, such as the value of estimated measurement error used in the indexing calculation or method of aggregated error handling. The program also provides information about the angles between the planes of the measured PDF sets present in a grain, which allows determination of the angles between (for example) indexed {10...3} and {10...1} sets. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A prognostic model is well calibrated when it accurately predicts event rates. This is first determined by testing for goodness of fit with the development dataset. All existing tests and graphic tools designed for the purpose suffer several drawbacks, related mainly to the subgrouping of observations or to heavy dependence on arbitrary parameters. We propose a statistical test and a graphical method to assess the goodness of fit of logistic regression models, obtained through an extension of similar techniques developed for external validation. We analytically computed and numerically verified the distribution of the underlying statistic. Simulations on a set of realistic scenarios show that this test and the well-known Hosmer-Lemeshow approach have similar type I error rates. The main advantage of this new approach is that the relationship between model predictions and outcome rates across the range of probabilities can be represented in the calibration belt plot, together with its statistical confidence. By readily spotting any deviations from the perfect fit, this new graphical tool is designed to identify, during the process of model development, poorly modeled variables that call for further investigation. This is illustrated through an example based on real data. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Many ecological systems are characterized by brief periods of increased resource availability called resource pulses. Empirical studies suggest that some populations of primary consumers grow rapidly in response to resource pulses, but others instead remain at low abundance despite increases in resource availability. Previous theory suggests that the lack of increase in primary consumers might be due to predators, which can respond to increased prey density both numerically, by increasing their own population, and functionally, by killing prey at a faster rate. The complexity of potential population responses to resource pulses can be assessed with simulations, but analytical conditions determining when one observes qualitatively distinct dynamics have yet to be identified. Here we use a graphical method based on a bifurcation diagram to derive the conditions leading to qualitatively distinct steady state and transient prey population dynamics as levels of predation (abundance and diversity) vary. When predation thresholds are crossed, consumer populations respond numerically to increases in their resources and provide a secondary resource pulse to their predators and parasites. These community dynamics have broad implications for the impact of changing predator communities on insect and rodent population outbreaks, which are economically and epidemiologically important. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Published two-body bond-valence parameters for cation-oxygen bonds have been evaluated via the root mean-square deviation (RMSD) from the valence-sum rule for 128 cations, using 180 194 filtered bond lengths from 31 489 coordination polyhedra. Values of the RMSD range from 0.033-2.451 v.u. (1.1-40.9% per unit of charge) with a weighted mean of 0.174 v.u. (7.34% per unit of charge). The set of best published parameters has been determined for 128 ions and used as a benchmark for the determination of new bond-valence parameters in this paper. Two common methods for the derivation of bond-valence parameters have been evaluated: (1) fixing B and solving for Ro; (2) the graphical method. On a subset of 90 ions observed in more than one coordination, fixing B at 0.37 Å leads to a mean weighted-RMSD of 0.139 v.u. (6.7% per unit of charge), while graphical derivation gives 0.161 v.u. (8.0% per unit of charge). The advantages and disadvantages of these (and other) methods of derivation have been considered, leading to the conclusion that current methods of derivation of bond-valence parameters are not satisfactory. A new method of derivation is introduced, the GRG (generalized reduced gradient) method, which leads to a mean weighted-RMSD of 0.128 v.u. (6.1% per unit of charge) over the same sample of 90 multiple-coordination ions. The evaluation of 19 two-parameter equations and 7 three-parameter equations to model the bond-valence-bond-length relation indicates that: (1) many equations can adequately describe the relation; (2) a plateau has been reached in the fit for two-parameter equations; (3) the equation of Brown & Altermatt (1985) is sufficiently good that use of any of the other equations tested is not warranted. Improved bond-valence parameters have been derived for 135 ions for the equation of Brown & Altermatt (1985) in terms of both the cation and anion bond-valence sums using the GRG method and our complete data set. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The influence of potential inhibitors naturally present in wine on the proteolytic activity of papain from Carica papaya latex was investigated to evaluate its applicability in white wine protein haze stabilization. Enzymatic activity was tested against a synthetic tripeptide chromogenic substrate in wine-like acidic medium that consisted of tartaric buffer (pH 3.2) supplemented with ethanol, free sulfur dioxide (SO2), grape skin and seed tannins within the average ranges of concentrations that are typical in wine. The diagnosis of inhibition type, performed with the graphical method, demonstrated that all of tested wine constituents were reversible inhibitors of papain. The strongest inhibition was exerted by free SO2, which acted as a mixed-type inhibitor, similar to grape skin and seed tannins. Finally, when tested in table white wines, the catalytic activity of papain, even when if it was ascribable to the hyperbolic behavior of Michaelis-Menten equation, was determined to be strongly affected by free SO2 and total phenol level. © 2014 American Institute of Chemical Engineers Biotechnol. Prog., 31:48-54, 2015 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ABSTRACT Fenobam is a negative allosteric modulator of the metabotropic glutamate receptor subtype 5 (mGluR5) with inverse agonist activity and is expected to contribute to the treatment of neuropsychiatric disorders involving dysfunction of mGluR5 including Fragile X syndrome. This study examined whether [11C]ABP688, an antagonist PET radioligand, competes with fenobam for the same binding site in the nonhuman primate brain and would allow examination of occupancy-plasma concentration relationships in the evaluation of the drug for target disorders in the human brain. Four paired PET studies with [11C]ABP688 were performed in baboons at a baseline condition and after intravenous treatment with fenobam at different dose levels (0.3-1.33 mg/kg). Total distribution volume ( VT) and binding potential (BPND) using the cerebellum as a reference region were obtained by the plasma reference graphical method. Then it was examined whether occupancy follows a dose-dependent, saturating pattern that was predicted by a modified first-order Hill equation in individual regions. Baseline regional VT and BPND values agreed with previously published data. Occupancy showed dose-dependent and saturating patterns in individual regions, reaching >90% occupancy at 1.33 mg/kg dose of fenobam in the majority of regions. To our knowledge, this is the first use of PET to characterize the mGluR5 therapeutic drug fenobam. This study demonstrates a proof of principle for determining the in vivo occupancy of fenobam in primates. The results indicate that [11C]ABP688 and PET may be useful for examination of occupancy of mGluR5 by fenobam, which should prove to be useful for designing future studies and treatment of human disease states. Synapse 68:565-573, 2014. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Gardner's (1956, https://doi.org/10.2136/sssaj1956.03615995002000030006x) transient method of measuring the hydraulic conductivity function of unsaturated media has been largely used, together with the improved graphical method proposed by Kunze and Kirkham (1962, https://doi.org/10.2136/sssaj1962.03615995002600050006x) to account for the impedance effect resulting from using a low hydraulic conductivity ceramic disk in porous plate testing. These methods are nowadays seldom used, since they have been replaced by numerical back analysis and methods for parameter optimization. Based on tests carried out on a specific device allowing to determine the water retention and transport properties of water in a coarse granular media at low suctions (up to 50 kPa), it was found necessary to account (i) for impedance effects and (ii) for the effects of nonconstant suction increments, as is often the case when using the hanging column technique. A new method is proposed to account for impedance effects, based on an analytical solution of the equations governing water transfer. The validity of this method is tested by considering experimental data from three distinct materials: a coarse green roof volcanic substrate, poorly graded sand, and undisturbed silty clay. Compared to the graphical method Kunze and Kirkham's method, it is less operator‐dependent and hence more objective. It is also simpler than numerical back analysis methods, since it does not require any use of numerical code or parameter optimization algorithm, providing a more direct and reliable access to the hydraulic conductivity. An analytical solution is also proposed to solve the problem resulting from the application of a nonconstant suction increment. Key Points: Gardner developed the first analytical method for determining the hydraulic conductivity function based on transient outflow dataKunze and Kirkham developed a graphical method to account for impedance effects, that is nowadays replaced by numerical back analysisThe new proposed analytical method appears to be more reliable than Kunze and Kirkahm's method and simpler than numerical back analysis [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]