Maximum likelihood estimation for second level fMRI data analysis with expectation trust region algorithm

The trust region method which originated from the Levenberg–Marquardt (LM) algorithm for mixed effect model estimation are considered in the context of second level functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) data analysis. We first present the mathematical and optimization details of the method for the mixed effect model analysis, then we compare the proposed methods with the conventional expectation-maximization (EM) algorithm based on a series of datasets (synthetic and real human fMRI datasets). From simulation studies, we found a higher damping factor for the LM algorithm is better than lower damping factor for the fMRI data analysis. More importantly, in most cases, the expectation trust region algorithm is superior to the EM algorithm in terms of accuracy if the random effect variance is large. We also compare these algorithms on real human datasets which comprise repeated measures of fMRI in phased-encoded and random block experiment designs. We observed that the proposed method is faster in computation and robust to Gaussian noise for the fMRI analysis. The advantages and limitations of the suggested methods are discussed.     

A new level‐dependent coarse grid correction scheme for indefinite Helmholtz problems

In this paper, we construct and analyze a level‐dependent coarse grid correction scheme for indefinite Helmholtz problems. This adapted multigrid (MG) method is capable of solving the Helmholtz equation on the finest grid using a series of MG cycles with a grid‐dependent complex shift, leading to a stable correction scheme on all levels. It is rigorously shown that the adaptation of the complex shift throughout the MG cycle maintains the functionality of the two‐grid correction scheme, as no smooth modes are amplified in or added to the error. In addition, a sufficiently smoothing relaxation scheme should be applied to ensure damping of the oscillatory error components. Numerical experiments on various benchmark problems show the method to be competitive with or even outperform the current state‐of‐the‐art MG‐preconditioned Krylov methods, for example, complex shifted Laplacian preconditioned flexible GMRES. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Evolution of downsized crescent-shaped dune in wind tunnel experiment

The migration of a downsized crescent-shaped dune was investigated in a wind tunnel experiment.Quantified upwind influx and vertical oscillation of the sand bed were introduced to modulate the saturation level of the sand flux above the dune surface to affect dune evolution.The evolution was recorded by top-view photography and then abstracted as the evolution of self-defined characteristic quantities using a digital image processing algorithm.The results showed that,in contrast to the case for spanwise quantities,the evolution of streamwise quantities corresponds to a linear increase in the modulation magnitude more positively and in a monotonic and convergent manner.In contrast with quantities on the windward face,the changes in quantities with respect to the horns were nonmonotonic with time and almost uncorrelated with the variation in modulation strength,which reveals the distinctiveness of leeside evolution.     

Studies of phase transitions and ferroelastic domain walls in Pb5Al3F19 crystals by optical measurements

Three phase transitions between 100 and 400 K were previously shown by X-ray diffraction measurements. Such results have been confirmed by optical measurements on crystals. The thermal dependence of the birefringence has been determined. A new phase transformation has been shown at around 590 K not only by optical study but also by dielectric measurements. Ferroelastic domain-walls have been visualized. The sequence transition has been discussed taking into account the various space groups.     

Zn or O? An Atomic Level Comparison on Antibacterial Activities of Zinc Oxides

For the first time, the influence of different types of atoms (Zn and O) on the antibacterial activities of nanosized ZnO was quantitatively evaluated with the aid of a 3D‐printing‐manufactured evaluation system. Two different outermost atomic layers were manufactured separately by using an ALD (atomic layer deposition) method. Interestingly, we found that each outermost atomic layer exhibited certain differences against gram‐positive or gram‐negative bacterial species. Zinc atoms as outermost layer (ZnO?Zn) showed a more pronounced antibacterial effect towards gram‐negative E. coli (Escherichia coli), whereas oxygen atoms (ZnO?O) showed a stronger antibacterial activity against gram‐positive S. aureus (Staphylococcus aureus). A possible antibacterial mechanism has been comprehensively discussed from different perspectives, including Zn²⁺ concentrations, oxygen vacancies, photocatalytic activities and the DNA structural characteristics of different bacterial species.     

Molecular‐level structures at poly(4‐vinyl pyridine)/acid interfaces probed by nonlinear vibrational spectroscopy

The molecular structures of the interfaces between a solid poly(4‐vinyl pyridine) (P4VP) surface and poly(acrylic acid) (PAA) as well as hydrochloric acid (HCl) solutions were probed using sum frequency generation (SFG) vibrational spectroscopy in situ in real time. Spectroscopic results clearly reveal that the PAA molecules are adsorbed onto the P4VP surface via hydrogen bonding at the P4VP/PAA solution interface while the P4VP surface is protonated at the P4VP/HCl solution interface. Consequently, the water molecules near the interfaces are strongly perturbed by these two interactions, exhibiting different orderings at the two interfaces. This work clearly demonstrates the power of studying the interfacial molecular‐level structures via nonlinear vibrational spectroscopy when molecular adsorption happens at the solid–liquid interface and paves a way for our future study on tracing the adsorption dynamics of polymer chains onto solid surfaces. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part B: Polym. Phys. 2016 , 54, 848–852     

Concurrent determination of olanzapine,risperidone and 9‐hydroxyrisperidone in human plasma by ultra performance liquid chromatography with diode array detection method: application to pharmacokinetic study

A simple and sensitive ultra‐performance liquid chromatography (UPLC) method has been developed and validated for simultaneous estimation of olanzapine (OLZ), risperidone (RIS) and 9‐hydroxyrisperidone (9‐OHRIS) in human plasma in vitro. The sample preparation was performed by simple liquid–liquid extraction technique. The analytes were chromatographed on a Waters Acquity H class UPLC system using isocratic mobile phase conditions at a flow rate of 0.3 mL/min and Acquity UPLC BEH shield RP₁₈ column maintained at 40°C. Quantification was performed on a photodiode array detector set at 277 nm and clozapine was used as internal standard (IS). OLZ, RIS, 9‐OHRIS and IS retention times were found to be 0.9, 1.4, .1.8 and 3.1 min, respectively, and the total run time was 4 min. The method was validated for selectivity, specificity, recovery, linearity, accuracy, precision and sample stability. The calibration curve was linear over the concentration range 1–100 ng/mL for OLZ, RIS and 9‐OHRIS. Intra‐ and inter‐day precisions for OLZ, RIS and 9‐OHRIS were found to be good with the coefficient of variation <6.96%, and the accuracy ranging from 97.55 to 105.41%, in human plasma. The validated UPLC method was successfully applied to the pharmacokinetic study of RIS and 9‐OHRIS in human plasma. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

XANES speciation of mercury in three mining districts – Almadén,Asturias (Spain), Idria (Slovenia)

The mobility, bioavailability and toxicity of mercury in the environment strongly depend on the chemical species in which it is present in soil, sediments, water or air. In mining districts, differences in mobility and bioavailability of mercury mainly arise from the different type of mineralization and ore processing. In this work, synchrotron‐based X‐ray absorption near‐edge spectroscopy (XANES) has been taken advantage of to study the speciation of mercury in geological samples from three of the largest European mercury mining districts: Almadén (Spain), Idria (Slovenia) and Asturias (Spain). XANES has been complemented with a single extraction protocol for the determination of Hg mobility. Ore, calcines, dump material, soil, sediment and suspended particles from the three sites have been considered in the study. In the three sites, rather insoluble sulfide compounds (cinnabar and metacinnabar) were found to predominate. Minor amounts of more soluble mercury compounds (chlorides and sulfates) were also identified in some samples. Single extraction procedures have put forward a strong dependence of the mobility with the concentration of chlorides and sulfates. Differences in efficiency of roasting furnaces from the three sites have been found.     

Stereoselective synthesis of dihydrothiadiazinoazines and dihydrothiadiazinoazoles and their pyrolytic desulfurization ring contraction

Intramolecular base catalyzed C-C bond formation led to exclusive stereoselective syntheses of trans-6,7-dihydro-5H-[1,2,4]triazolo[3,4-b][1,3,4]thiadiazines, trans-7,8-dihydro-6H-[1,2,4]triazino[3,4-b][1,3,4]thiadiazin-4-ones, and trans-3,4-dihydro-2H-[1,3,4]thiadiazino[2,3-b]quinazolin-10-one. trans-6,7-Dihydro-5H-[1,2,4]triazolo[3,4-b][1,3,4]thiadiazines isomerize slowly in CDCl₃ and more rapidly in DMSO-d₆ into the corresponding cis-stereoisomers. The other trans-6,7-dihydro-[1,3,4]thiadiazines isomerize also in DMSO-d₆ into the corresponding cis-stereoisomers. Pyrolytic conversion of these heterocyclic condensed dihydrothiadiazines into their corresponding pyrazolo[5,1-b][1,2,4]triazoles, pyrazolo[5,1-c][1,2,4]triazin-4-ones and pyrazolo[4,3-b]quinazolin-9-ones via desulfurization ring contraction is described.