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PubMed2005

A new retrieval system for a database of 3D facial images.

A new retrieval system for a 3D facial image database was designed and its reliability was experimentally examined. This system has two steps, firstly to automatically adjust the orientation of all 3D facial images in a database to that of the 2D facial image of a target person, and then to identify the facial image of the target person from the adjusted 3D facial images in the database using a graph-matching method. From the experimental study [M. Yoshino, K. Imaizumi, T. Tanijiri, J.G. Clement, Automatic adjustment of facial orientation in 3D face image database, Jpn. J. Sci. Tech. Iden. 8 (2003) 41-47], it is concluded that the software developed for the first step will be applicable to the automatic adjustment of facial orientation in the 3D facial image database. In 28 out of 110 sets (25.5%), the 3D image of the target person was chosen as the best match (from a database of 132 3D facial images) according to the similarity of the facial image characteristics based on the graph matching. The 3D facial image of the target person was ranked in the top of 10 of the database in 75 out of 110 sets (68.2%). These results suggest that this system is inadequate for the identification level, but may be feasible for screening method in a small database. It will be necessary to further pursue the possibility of realization of a facial image retrieval system for a large database such as suspects' facial images in future.

Adult↗
PubMed2005

Semantic representation of consumer questions and physician answers.

The aim of this study was to identify the underlying semantics of health consumers' questions and physicians' answers in order to analyze the semantic patterns within these texts. We manually identified semantic relationships within question-answer pairs from Ask-the-Doctor Web sites. Identification of the semantic relationship instances within the texts was based on the relationship classes and structure of the Unified Medical Language System (UMLS) Semantic Network. We calculated the frequency of occurrence of each semantic relationship class, and conceptual graphs were generated, joining concepts together through the semantic relationships identified. We then analyzed whether representations of physician's answers exactly matched the form of the question representations. Lastly, we examined characteristics of the answer conceptual graphs. We identified 97 semantic relationship instances in the questions and 334 instances in the answers. The most frequently identified semantic relationship in both questions and answers was brings_about (causal). We found that the semantic relationship propositions identified in answers that most frequently contain a concept also expressed in the question were: brings_about, isa, co_occurs_with, diagnoses, and treats. Using extracted semantic relationships from real-life questions and answers can produce a valuable analysis of the characteristics of these texts. This can lead to clues for creating semantic-based retrieval techniques that guide users to further information. For example, we determined that both consumers and physicians often express causative relationships and these play a key role in leading to further related concepts.

Humans↗
PubMed2005

Determination of thiopental in urine sample with high-performance liquid chromatography using iodine-azide reaction as a postcolumn detection system.

The reaction between iodine and azide ions induced by thiopental was utilized as a postcolumn reaction for chromatographic determination of thiopental. The method is based on the separation of thiopental on an Nova-Pak CN HP column with an acetonitrile-aqueous solution of sodium azide as a mobile phase, followed by spectrophotometric measurement of the residual iodine (lambda=350 nm) from the postcolumn iodine-azide reaction induced by thiopental after mixing an iodine solution containing iodide ions with the column effluent containing azide ions and thiopental. Chromatograms obtained for thiopental showed negative peaks as a result of the decrease in background absorbance. The detection limit (defined as S/N=3) was 20 nM (0.4 pmol injected amount) for thiopental. Calibration graphs, plotted as peak area versus concentrations, were linear from 40 nM. The elaborated method was applied to determine thiopental in urine samples. The detection limit (defined as S/N=3) was 0.025 nmol/ml urine. Calibration graphs, plotted as peak area versus concentrations, were linear from 0.05 nmol/ml urine. Authentic urine samples were analyzed, thiopental was determined at nmol/ml urine level.

Acetonitriles↗
PubMed2006

TIPS (trigger an IIF paradigm shift).

CHALLENGE: New Mexico Corporate Services (NMCS) recordable injuries have been averaging 2-4 per year for the last 5 years with no statistical improvement. However, we believe all NM employees must go home incident and injury free every day and just as healthy as they came to work. In addition, we have received feedback from several sources, that indicates some employees are reluctant to report injuries. These indicators showed us that continuing our current strategies, making incremental improvement and changes, would not give us the improvement desired. We needed a paradigm shift to get everyone completely engaged in the IIF (Incident & Injury Free) culture, in order to achieve true IIF results. METHODS/STRATEGIES: We formed a small (3-person) taskforce consisting of safety representatives from EHS, Site Services and CS Operations. We reviewed 5 years worth of data to determine what was injuring our people. We also decided to review all injuries, not simply those classified as recordable by OSHA standards. First we identified the types of injury information needed to get a true picture of our safety issues. We analyzed IRB (Incident Review Board) data showing us the following factors and whether any of them contributed to the injury: - Date - Incident Description - Severity - Root Cause - Type of Injury - Season - Work Group/Shift - Area - Improper evaluation of hazard - Inadequate work procedures - Incorrect Mental Model - Inadequate PPE Requirement - Failure to Follow or Unaware of PPE Requirement - Shortcut or Schedule Pressure - Last or First Day of Shift or Adjacent to Holiday - OT - Aggravate Existing Condition - Inadequate Training or Passdown - Experience in Task - Corrective Action Taken - Overall Quality of Response. Once this information was collected for all injuries in an Excel file, we graphed it several ways to help reveal trends: Shift 7 had double the injuries of shift 5. Night shift injuries were relatively high but lower than Shift 7. Shift 5 had no severe (recordable) injuries. Biggest total injury type was ergonomic. Biggest recordable injury type (58%) was cuts/lacerations. Chemical exposure and inhalations resulted in no recordables. Biggest root cause category was behavioral. Biggest behavioral root cause was "Failure to Evaluate Hazards". Biggest administrative controls root cause was "Inadequate Procedures". Biggest engineering controls root cause was "Unrecognized Workplace Hazard". Majority of injuries occurred in Spring/Summer which accounted for 86% of recordables. Response was inadequate or poor for 25% of injuries. Number of injuries by workgroup were about equal. Work area injuries were mostly in the CUB and Subfab but CUB injuries favored cuts/lacerations while Subfab favored ergonomic injuries. These learnings and gaps were used to develop our New Mexico Site Safety Action Plan for 2005. It has also been used by individual managers and supervisors in their day-to-day business meetings, activities, and communications, for a more focused IIF message and effort. RESULTS: [graph: see text]. CONCLUSIONS/RECOMMENDATIONS: Challenges are different amongst shifts. Shift culture may be stronger than workgroup culture. Work areas pose different challenges that all should be aware of and prepared for. We should prepare ourselves for challenges posed by the Spring and Summer seasons as well. We should be aware of and prepare for the different challenges and cultures characteristic of each shift. Supervisors need to spend more time in the field with their people to help them address safety issues and help make IIF a more consistent component of daily workgroup culture. Each site should analyze their data and look for their unique safety challenges. This will allow customized, focused action plans that meet the unique needs of each site.

Accidents, Occupational↗
PubMed2004

Proteomic traces of speciation.

Recent work has shown that the network of structural similarity between protein domains exhibits a power-law distribution of edges per node. The scale-free nature of this graph, termed the protein domain universe graph or PDUG, may be reproduced via a divergent model of structural evolution. The performance of this model, however, does not preclude the existence of a successful convergent model. To further resolve the issue of protein structural evolution, we explore the predictions of both convergent and divergent models directly. We show that when nodes from the PDUG are partitioned into subgraphs on the basis of their occurrence in the proteomes of particular organisms, these subgraphs exhibit a scale-free nature as well. We explore a simple convergent model of structural evolution and find that the implications of this model are inconsistent with features of these organismal subgraphs. Importantly, we find that biased convergent models are inconsistent with our data. We find that when speciation mechanisms are added to a simple divergent model, subgraphs similar to the organismal subgraphs are produced, demonstrating that dynamic models can easily explain the distributions of structural similarity that exist within proteomes. We show that speciation events must be included in a divergent model of structural evolution to account for the non-random overlap of structural proteomes. These findings have implications for the long-standing debate over convergent and divergent models of protein structural evolution, and for the study of the evolution of organisms as a whole.

Bacterial Proteins↗
PubMed2006

Prediction of carbon-13 NMR chemical shift of alkanes with rooted path vector.

Systematic studies were further made on graph theory in quantitative structure-spectrum relationships (QSSR) for various areas of spectroscopies. Chemical shifts (CS) in alkanes for carbon-13 nuclear magnetic resonance (13C NMR) were well correlated with a set of novel molecular graph indices, called the rooted path vector of various lengths, as several multivariate regression equations as following:CS=3.022+5.336P1+7.356P2-1.648P3+0.83859P4+0.210P5-0.138P6-0.506P7+2.486P8-1.669P9; n=402, m=9, R=0.944, RCV=0.9413, S.D.=3.333, F=358.343, U=35833.211, Q=4355.422 for all types (primary, secondly, tertiary, quaternary as well as methane) of carbon atoms CS=0.983+6.811P1+7.584P2-2.029P3+0.809P4+0.106P5+0.043P6-0.124P7+1.715P8-1.101P9; n=374, m=9, R=0.975, RCV=0.9737, S.D.=2.303, F=773.372, U=36912.109, Q=1930.363 for primary, secondly, tertiary (including methane) carbon atoms; and CS=27.819+2.351P2+0.549P3-0.440P4+0.170P5-0.050P6; n=27, m=5, R=0.992, RCV=0.9674, S.D.=0.324, F=265.418, U=138.891, Q=2.198 for quaternary carbon atoms, respectively. Quite good estimation and prediction results were obtained from the quantitative molecular modeling and the performance of multiple linear regression (MLR) equations were tested to work well through cross-validation (CV) with the leave-one-out (LOO) procedure.

Alkanes↗
PubMed2006

PIPATH: an optimized algorithm for generating alpha-helical structures from PISEMA data.

An optimized algorithm for finding structures and assignments of solid-state NMR PISEMA data obtained from alpha-helical membrane proteins is presented. The description of this algorithm, PIPATH, is followed by an analysis of its performance on simulated PISEMA data derived from synthetic and experimental structures. pipath transforms the assignment problem into a path-finding problem for a directed graph, and then uses techniques of graph theory to efficiently find candidate assignments from a very large set of possibilities.

Algorithms↗
PubMed2004

Electrochemical behavior and determination of amiloride drug in bulk form and pharmaceutical formulation at mercury electrodes.

The polarographic behavior of amiloride hydrochloride has been studied in Britton-Robinson buffers of pH 1.9-11. In acidic medium at Ph< or =2, the dc-polarograms exhibited a single 4-electron cathodic irreversible wave, while at pH values >2, a second two-electron irreversible cathodic wave appeared at a more negative potential. The single or first wave may be attributed to the cleavage of the double bond of the -CH=NH of the imidino amide group with the release of NH(3). While the second wave may be due to the saturation of the C=O of the carboxamide moiety. A polarographic procedure of suffocate sensitivity for the determination of bulk amiloride drug in Britton-Robinson buffer at pH 2 is described. The calibration graph was obtained over the concentration range 2.5 x 10(-5) to 2.5 x 10(-4) M amiloride. The limits of detection (LOD) and quantitation (LOQ) of the procedure were 1 x 10(-5) and 3.3 x 10(-4) M bulk amiloride, respectively. Moreover, a differential-pulse adsorptive cathodic stripping voltammetric procedure has been described to assay of the drug at lower concentration levels. The optimal conditions were: E(acc) = -0.9V, t(acc)=30 s, scan rate=20mV, pulse-height=90 mV and Britton-Robinson buffer of pH 8. The calibration graph was obtained over the concentration range 2 x 10(-8) to 1 x 10(-6) M for bulk amiloride. Both procedures were successfully applied to the determination of amiloride in tablets without the necessity for sample pretreatment or any time-consuming extraction or evaporation steps prior to the drug analysis.

Amiloride↗
PubMed2005

A method for the quantification of low concentration sulfamethazine residues in milk based on molecularly imprinted clean-up and surface preconcentration at a Nafion-modified glassy carbon electrode.

An electrochemical method for the determination of sulfamethazine at a low concentration level (25 microgl(-1)) in milk is reported. The method involves sample clean-up and selective preconcentration of sulfamethazine with a molecularly imprinted polymer (MIP), and a further electrode surface preconcentration of the analyte at a Nafion-coated glassy carbon electrode (GCE). Square wave (SW) oxidative voltammetry of accumulated sulfamethazine was employed for its quantification. Sulfamethazine electrode preconcentration was carried out in 0.1 moll(-1) Britton-Robinson buffer of pH 1.5, and by applying 5 min of accumulation at open circuit. A linear calibration graph was obtained for sulfamethazine at the Nafion-modified GCE over the 1.0x10(-8) to 1.0x10(-6)moll(-1) concentration range, with a detection limit of 6.8x10(-9)moll(-1) (1.9 microgl(-1)). This detection limit is remarkably better than those reported previously in the literature using electroanalytical techniques. Although the detection limit achieved was sufficient to allow the direct determination of sulfamethazine at the concentration level required in milk, a sample clean-up was shown to be necessary to obtain analytically useful SW voltammograms. This was accomplished by processing the deproteinized milk through a cartridge containing a molecularly imprinted polymer for sulfamethazine, also allowing a selective preconcentration of the analyte. Elution of the analyte from the MIP cartridges was carried out with 2 ml of a (9:1) MeOH:acetic acid mixture. Determination of sulfamethazine in milk samples was accomplished by interpolation into a calibration graph constructed with sulfamethazine standard solutions which were subjected to the same procedure than the deproteinized milk samples. Results obtained for five samples, spiked at the 25 microgl(-1) level, showed a mean recovery of (100+/-3)%.

Animals↗
PubMed2004

Spread of two linked social norms on complex interaction networks.

In this paper, we study the spread of social norms, such as rules and customs that are components of human cultures. We consider the spread of two social norms, which are linked through individual behaviors. Spreading social norms depend not only on the social network structure, but also on the learning system. We consider four social network structures: (1) complete mixing, in which each individual interacts with the others at random, (2) lattice, in which each individual interacts with its neighbors with some probability and with the others at random, (3) power-law network, in which a few influential people have more social contacts than the others, and (4) random graph network, in which the number of contacts follows a Poisson distribution. Using the lattice model, we also investigate the effect of the small-world phenomenon on the dynamics of social norms. In our models, each individual learns a social norm by trial and error (individual learning) and also imitates the other's social norm (social learning). We investigate how social network structure and learning systems affect the spread of two linked social norms. Our main results are: (1) Social learning does not lead to coexistence of social norms. Individual learning produces coexistence, and the dynamics of coexistence depend on which social norms are learned individually. (2) Social norms spread fastest in the power-law network model, followed by the random graph model, the complete mixing model, the two-dimensional lattice model and the one-dimensional lattice. (3) We see a "small world effect" in the one-dimensional model, but not in two dimensions.

Computer Simulation↗
PubMed2004

Effect of artificially lengthened vocal tract on vocal fold oscillation's fundamental frequency.

UNLABELLED: The fundamental frequency of vocal fold oscillation (F(0)) is controlled by laryngeal mechanics and aerodynamic properties. F(0) change per unit change of transglottal pressure (dF/dP) using a shutter valve has been studied and found to have nonlinear, V-shaped relationship with F(0). On the other hand, the vocal tract is also known to affect vocal fold oscillation. This study examined the effect of artificially lengthened vocal tract length on dF/dP. dF/dP was measured in six men using two mouthpieces of different lengths. RESULTS: The dF/dP graph for the longer vocal tract was shifted leftward relative to the shorter one. CONCLUSION: Using the one-mass model, the nadir of the "V" on the dF/dP graph was strongly influenced by the resonance around the first formant frequency. However, a more precise model is needed to account for the effects of viscosity and turbulence.

Acoustics↗
PubMed2005

A normative database of lumbar spine ranges of motion.

The overall aim of the work was to develop a comprehensive normative database of indices for ranges of motion in the lumbar spine, in an asymptomatic sample of the general population. This was a repeated measures prospective study utilizing a reliable and valid instrument, the modified CA6000 Spine Motion Analyzer (Orthopedic Systems Inc. Union City CA & Troke/University of Brighton). The portable equipment was used to collect data in a variety of community settings (e.g. schools, GP surgeries, offices, leisure centres, emergency services stations). A total of 405 asymptomatic subjects (196 female, 209 male) aged 16-90 yr from sedentary, mixed and physically demanding occupations participated in the study and data were collected in standing, at different times of the day, following a standardized methodology for lumbar spine motion in the sagittal, coronal and horizontal planes. Age-related centile graphs were derived separately for male and female subjects in flexion, extension, left and right lateral flexion and left and right axial rotation. All 12 graphs are presented as an appendix located on the Manual Therapy website. Overall, flexion (73-40 degrees) and lateral flexion (28-14 degrees, L&R) declined 45% and 48%, respectively, across the age range. Extension (29-6 degrees) declined the greatest at 79%. By contrast, no overall decline in axial rotational RoMs was recorded, and the median RoM remained at 7 degrees each way across the age spectrum examined. A comprehensive database of indices of lumbar spine ranges of motion has thus been developed which is gender specific, age related, drawn from a wide age range and presents data for all three planes of motion. It is considered that the new database has a number of potential clinical and research applications.

Adult↗
PubMed2004

Functional connectivity patterns of human magnetoencephalographic recordings: a 'small-world' network?

EEG and MEG (magnetoencephalography) are widely used to study functional connectivity between different brain regions. We address the question whether such connectivity patterns display an optimal organization for information processing. MEG recordings of five healthy human subjects were converted to sparsely connected graphs (N=126; k=15) by applying a suitable threshold to the N * N matrix of synchronization strengths. For intermediate frequencies (8-30 Hz) the synchronization patterns were similar to those of an ordered graph with a consistent drop of synchronization strength as a function of distance. For low (<8 Hz) and high (>30 Hz) frequency bands the synchronization patterns displayed the features of a so-called 'small-world' network. This might reflect an optimal organization pattern for information processing, connecting any two brain area by only a small number of intermediate steps.

Action Potentials↗
PubMed2005

On the relationship between deterministic and probabilistic directed Graphical models: from Bayesian networks to recursive neural networks.

Machine learning methods that can handle variable-size structured data such as sequences and graphs include Bayesian networks (BNs) and Recursive Neural Networks (RNNs). In both classes of models, the data is modeled using a set of observed and hidden variables associated with the nodes of a directed acyclic graph. In BNs, the conditional relationships between parent and child variables are probabilistic, whereas in RNNs they are deterministic and parameterized by neural networks. Here, we study the formal relationship between both classes of models and show that when the source nodes variables are observed, RNNs can be viewed as limits, both in distribution and probability, of BNs with local conditional distributions that have vanishing covariance matrices and converge to delta functions. Conditions for uniform convergence are also given together with an analysis of the behavior and exactness of Belief Propagation (BP) in 'deterministic' BNs. Implications for the design of mixed architectures and the corresponding inference algorithms are briefly discussed.

Bayes Theorem↗
PubMed2006

Assessing self organizing maps via contiguity analysis.

Contiguity analysis is a straightforward generalization of linear discriminant analysis in which the partition of elements is replaced by a more general graph structure. Applied to the graph induced by a Self Organizing Map (SOM), contiguity analysis provides a set of linear projectors leading to a planar representation as close as possible to the SOM. As expected, such projectors may only concern local parts of the SOMs. They allow us to visualize the shapes of the clusters (convex hulls of the projections of the elements belonging to a cluster) and the pattern of the elements within each cluster. In some contexts, it is possible to project the bootstrap replicates of the elements, and therefore to produce confidence areas for elements via a standard partial bootstrap procedure.

Algorithms↗
PubMed2006

[Surveillance of antimicrobial resistance and antimicrobial use in a university-affiliated hospital: implementation of a computerized system].

UNLABELLED: After half a century of antibiotic use, the increasing problem of the emergence and spread of antimicrobial-resistant pathogens has created a problem of public health. The causes of this problem are multifactorial, but the excessive and inappropriate use of antimicrobials is the principal cause. The current guidelines for the control of antimicrobial resistance in hospitals recommend the implementation of a surveillance system of antimicrobial use and antimicrobial resistance data. AIM OF THE STUDY: The objective of our project was to develop a computerised tool to survey the antibiotic consumption data and the antimicrobial resistance. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We have collected antimicrobial resistance data from the software of the bacteriology laboratory, antibiotic use data from the pharmacy and demographical data from the hospital's admission department. These data were integrated in a database server and available with a web application. Antimicrobial resistance data of 15 major microorganisms were extracted and expressed as a frequency with elimination of repeats by using time criteria (7, 14 or 28 days). Antibiotic use data were converted into defined daily doses (DDD) and expressed per 1000 patient-days. RESULTS: Data are available for consultation in the form of tables or graphs per unit, type of units (medicine, surgery, pediatrics, intensive care units) or in the whole hospital. The system allows the confrontation on the same graph of antimicrobial resistance and antibiotic use data. CONCLUSION: Our surveillance system constitutes a needed prerequisite to the implementation of a global strategy of antibiotic use improvement in our hospital.

Anti-Infective Agents↗
PubMed2005

simBio: a Java package for the development of detailed cell models.

Quantitative dynamic computer models, which integrate a variety of molecular functions into a cell model, provide a powerful tool to create and test working hypotheses. We have developed a new modeling tool, the simBio package (freely available from ), which can be used for constructing cell models, such as cardiac cells (the Kyoto model from Matsuoka et al., 2003, 2004 a, b, the LRd model from Faber and Rudy, 2000, and the Noble 98 model from Noble et al., 1998), epithelial cells (Strieter et al., 1990) and pancreatic beta cells (Magnus and Keizer, 1998). The simBio package is written in Java, uses XML and can solve ordinary differential equations. In an attempt to mimic biological functional structures, a cell model is, in simBio, composed of independent functional modules called Reactors, such as ion channels and the sarcoplasmic reticulum, and dynamic variables called Nodes, such as ion concentrations. The interactions between Reactors and Nodes are described by the graph theory and the resulting graph represents a blueprint of an intricate cellular system. Reactors are prepared in a hierarchical order, in analogy to the biological classification. Each Reactor can be composed or improved independently, and can easily be reused for different models. This way of building models, through the combination of various modules, is enabled through the use of object-oriented programming concepts. Thus, simBio is a straightforward system for the creation of a variety of cell models on a common database of functional modules.

Algorithms↗
PubMed2004

Morphologic comparison of two neutral zone impression techniques: a pilot study.

STATEMENT OF PROBLEM: Several studies have compared dentures fabricated using neutral zone and conventional techniques. However, studies comparing swallowing and phonetic techniques for assessing the location and shape of the neutral zone could not be identified in the literature. PURPOSE: The purpose of this pilot study was to compare the outline form of the phonetic and swallowing neutral zone impression techniques for the same subjects. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Nine denture wearers with advanced mandibular ridge resorption were included in this study. For each subject 2 trays were prepared in autopolymerizing acrylic resin. One method used phonetics and tissue conditioner to shape the neutral zone; the second method used swallowing and modeling plastic impression compound. The resulting neutral zone impressions were leveled to the same occlusal height by gently grinding the occlusal surface on sandpaper until it corresponded with landmarks (corners of the mouth, two thirds of the height of the retromolar pads, bilaterally) noted on the cast. The impression was inverted onto graph paper, and the contour was outlined with a lead pencil. One impression was made for each subject, for each technique. The buccal contours of both neutral zones coincided at the median line. The maximum distance between the zones was measured in a buccolingual direction in the anterior, premolar, and molar regions bilaterally. When the location of the phonetic neutral zone in relation compared to the swallowing neutral zone was buccally oriented, a plus score was given. When the phonetic neutral zone was lingually located, a minus score was given. When the 2 lines coincided, a score of 0 was given. Measurements were made from direct readings on the graph paper. Statistical analysis was performed using the Sign test (alpha=.05). RESULTS: Significant differences were noted buccally in the left molar (P =.031) and right molar (P =.003) regions and also in the left and right premolar regions (P =.007), where the swallowing neutral zone was found to be located buccal to the phonetic neutral zone. Significant differences were also noted lingually, in the right premolar region (P =.015), where the swallowing neutral zone was found to be located lingual to the phonetic neutral zone. There was no significant difference between the techniques for the anterior region. CONCLUSION: Within the limits of this study, the phonetic neutral zone appears to be narrower posteriorly compared to the swallowing neutral zone, thus limiting premolar and molar positioning.

Aged↗