Graphical Map Research Articles

New statistical calibration approach for Bruker AXS D8 Discover microdiffractometer with Hi-Star detector using GADDS software

An additional statistical calibration for the Bruker D8 Discover microdiffractometer is necessary to obtain accurate reproducible 2θ data for cell-refinement work. This new approach uses a graphical mapping method of the 2θ error versus the location of a selected diffraction peak on the detector surface to describe the separate roles of different calibration procedures (rebiasing, flood field, and spatial corrections) and parameters (sample-to-detector distance, x-y center coordinate) in minimizing the error. Optimized parameters are used to obtain the lowest achievable Δ2θ with this setup. Intensity error relative to the position of the diffracted line on the detector was found to be consistent at up to 20% and could not be reduced using any of the investigated techniques and parameters.

A Qualitative Approach to the Study of Causal Reasoning in Natural Language

Causal reasoning has been studied extensively in experimental cognitive psychology. Generally, the focus is on how individuals learn causal relationships in their environment through observation or interventions. Although it seems self-evident that causal beliefs about some phenomena are learnt largely through linguistic channels, to our knowledge no empirical studies have addressed this issue. In this paper we investigate causal reasoning that is embedded in naturally occurring language. We focus on genetic counselling for cancer, in which complex relationships between genes, medical interventions, and cancer are communicated by health professionals to clients. We borrow the idea of graphical causal maps from previous experimental studies and show that they can be applied to the study of causal reasoning in naturally occurring talk. We see this study as complementing existing experimental research, while maintaining that the study of causal structures embedded in naturalistic language adds an important dimension to our understanding of causal reasoning.

온톨로지 기반의 전문가 시스템 구축을 위한 퍼지 추론 엔진

최근 제조업에서 제품 설계를 지원하는 디지털 전문가 시스템을 개발하는 사례가 일어나고 있다. 이 시스템은 제조업에서 엔지니어가 프로세스를 통제하고, 생산관리와 시스템 관리 등을 위하여 사용되고 있다. 본 논문에서는 전문가 시스템을 구축하기 위한 온톨로지 기반의 추론 엔진 개발에 대하여 논한다. 전문가 시스템은 한국어를 지원하고 다양한 기능을 가지며, 그래픽한 온톨로지 맵 인터페이스와 퍼지 룰 기능 정의 등의 기능을 갖도록 하였다. 또한, 온톨로지 맵 구축과 온톨로지 기반의 퍼지 추론 방법에 대하여 지식을 표현하는 방법에 대하여 설명한다. Recently, we started a project development of the digital expert system for the product design supporting in manufacturing industry. This digital expert system is used to the engineers in manufacturing industry for the process control, production management and system management. In this paper, we develop the ontology based inference engine shell for building of expert system. This expert system shell included a various functions which of Korean language supporting, graphical ontology map modeling interface, fuzzy rule definition function and etc. And, we introduce the knowledge representation method for the ontology map building and ontology based fuzzy inferencing method.

The Environmental Performance Strategy Map: an integrated LCA approach to support the strategic decision-making process

Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) is a well-known tool for analyzing environmental impacts on a wide perspective with reference to a product system and the related environmental and economic impacts. The need for a novel approach that complements environmental and financial considerations is addressed in this study with the introduction of a new graphical representation: the Environmental Performance Strategy Map. This graphical map allows one to combine the main environmental indicators (footprints) with the additional dimension of cost. The paper defines the Sustainable Environmental Performance Indicator as a single measure for sustainability of a given option. Comparison of different options for strategic decision-making purposes can be enhanced and facilitated by the use of this indicator.

The Pig Genome Database (PiGenome): an integrated database for pig genome research

We established the Pig Genome Database (PiGenome) for pig genome research. The PiGenome integrates and analyzes all publicly available genome-wide data on pigs, including UniGenes, sequence tagged sites (STS) markers, quantitative trait loci (QTLs) data, and bacterial artificial chromosome (BAC) contigs. In addition, we produced 69,545 expressed sequence tags (ESTs) from the full-length enriched cDNA libraries of six tissues and 182 BAC contig sequences, which are also included in the database. QTLs, genetic markers, and BAC end-sequencing information were collected from public databases. The full-length enriched EST data were clustered and assembled into unique sequences, contigs, and singletons. The PiGenome provides functional annotation, identification of transcripts, mapping of coding sequences, and SNP information. It also provides an advanced search interface, a disease browser, alternative-splicing events, and a comparative gene map of the pig. A graphical map view and genome browser can map ESTs, contigs, BAC contigs (from the National Institute of Animal Science), Sino-Danish Pig Genome Project transcripts, and UniGene onto pig genome sequences which include our 182 BAC contigs and publically available BAC sequences of the Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute. The PiGenome is accessible at http://pigenome.nabc.go.kr/ .

The Graphical Cadastre Problem in Turkey: The Case of Trabzon Province.

Cadastral projects in Turkey have been accelerated in recent years by the involvement of the private sector. These projects aim at completing the country's cadastre, along with producing bases in standards that could be a foundation for Land Registry and Cadastre Information System (LRCIS). It is possible to produce cadastral data with today's technological means. In this context, three dimensional cadastre data can be properly produced, especially in digital cadastre projects with the required point accuracy. Nevertheless this is not enough for LRCIS. The cadastre bases that have been produced so far by different methods with different scales and bases, with or without coordinates, should also be converted into digital form based on National Basic GPS Network of Turkey (NBGN) in required point-location accuracy. As the result of evaluation of graphical cadastre bases produced without coordinates, actual land measurements, and information obtained from sheets and field book data together, it was found out that there are significant base problems in the graphical maps. These bases, comprising 20% of Turkey's cadastre constitutes the most important bottleneck of completing the country's cadastre. In the scope of this paper, the possibilities of converting the field book measurement values of graphic cadastre bases into digital forms in national coordinate system by comparing them with actual land measurements are investigated, along with Turkey's Cadastre and its problems.

P.258 Modifled intra-oral inverted “L” osteotomy

To evaluate condylar changes 1 year after bimaxillary surgical advancement with or without articular disc repositioning using longitudinal quantitative measurements in 3-dimensional (3D) temporomandibular joint (TMJ) models.Twenty-seven patients treated with maxillomandibular advancement (MMA) underwent cone-beam computed tomography before surgery, immediately after surgery, and at 1-year follow-up. All patients underwent magnetic resonance imaging before surgery to assess disc displacements. Ten patients without disc displacement received MMA only. Seventeen patients with articular disc displacement received MMA with simultaneous TMJ disc repositioning (MMA-Drep). Pre- and postsurgical 3D models were superimposed using a voxel-based registration on the cranial base.The location, direction, and magnitude of condylar changes were displayed and quantified by graphic semitransparent overlays and 3D color-coded surface distance maps. Rotational condylar displacements were similar in the 2 groups. Immediately after surgery, condylar translational displacements of at least 1.5 mm occurred in a posterior, superior, or mediolateral direction in patients treated with MMA, whereas patients treated with MMA-Drep presented more marked anterior, inferior, and mediolateral condylar displacements. One year after surgery, more than half the patients in the 2 groups presented condylar resorptive changes of at least 1.5 mm. Patients treated with MMA-Drep presented condylar bone apposition of at least 1.5 mm at the superior surface in 26.4%, the anterior surface in 23.4%, the posterior surface in 29.4%, the medial surface in 5.9%, or the lateral surface in 38.2%, whereas bone apposition was not observed in patients treated with MMA.One year after surgery, condylar resorptive changes greater than 1.5 mm were observed in the 2 groups. Articular disc repositioning facilitated bone apposition in localized condylar regions in patients treated with MMA-Drep.

P.380 Immediate maxilla prosthesis for maxillectomy patients

To evaluate condylar changes 1 year after bimaxillary surgical advancement with or without articular disc repositioning using longitudinal quantitative measurements in 3-dimensional (3D) temporomandibular joint (TMJ) models.Twenty-seven patients treated with maxillomandibular advancement (MMA) underwent cone-beam computed tomography before surgery, immediately after surgery, and at 1-year follow-up. All patients underwent magnetic resonance imaging before surgery to assess disc displacements. Ten patients without disc displacement received MMA only. Seventeen patients with articular disc displacement received MMA with simultaneous TMJ disc repositioning (MMA-Drep). Pre- and postsurgical 3D models were superimposed using a voxel-based registration on the cranial base.The location, direction, and magnitude of condylar changes were displayed and quantified by graphic semitransparent overlays and 3D color-coded surface distance maps. Rotational condylar displacements were similar in the 2 groups. Immediately after surgery, condylar translational displacements of at least 1.5 mm occurred in a posterior, superior, or mediolateral direction in patients treated with MMA, whereas patients treated with MMA-Drep presented more marked anterior, inferior, and mediolateral condylar displacements. One year after surgery, more than half the patients in the 2 groups presented condylar resorptive changes of at least 1.5 mm. Patients treated with MMA-Drep presented condylar bone apposition of at least 1.5 mm at the superior surface in 26.4%, the anterior surface in 23.4%, the posterior surface in 29.4%, the medial surface in 5.9%, or the lateral surface in 38.2%, whereas bone apposition was not observed in patients treated with MMA.One year after surgery, condylar resorptive changes greater than 1.5 mm were observed in the 2 groups. Articular disc repositioning facilitated bone apposition in localized condylar regions in patients treated with MMA-Drep.

CpG Island 검색용 윈도우 프로그램 개발

CpG island는 유전자의 발현 기작과 많은 관련이 있다. 포유동물 유전자의 약 <TEX>$30{\sim}60$</TEX>% 정도의 프로모터와 엑손부위에 CpG island가 존재 한다. 최근의 연구 결과에 따르면 CpG island의 과메틸화는 주요 암 억제유전자들을 불활성화 시켜 암을 일으키는 주요 요인이 되는 것으로 밝혀졌다. CpG island의 과메틸화는 거의 모든 암 종류에서 발견되고 있다. 따라서 CpG island를 검색하는 프로그램은 매우 중요한 의미를 갖는다. 그래서 D. Takai 와 P. A. Jones 등이 2002년 검증한 CpG island 정의 기준을 이용하여 윈도우 기반의 소프트웨어 프로그램인 CpGi를 개발하였다. CpGi는 Visual C++ 6.0로 구현하였으며, 입력서열 양식은 FASTA 포맷을 허용하도록 구성하였다. CpGi의 검색 성능을 평가하기 위해 2개의 인간 Contig, 즉, AP00524 (22번 염색체)와 NT_029490.3 (21번 염색체) 등을 대상으로 기존의 다른 CpG island 검색 프로그램인 Emboss-CpGPlot 및 CpG Island Searcher 등과 검색결과를 비교 분석하였다. CpGi에 의한 검색 결과는 다른 두 프로그램에 비해 같거나 오히려 보다 정확한 검색 결과를 보여주었다. CpGi는 사용자 친화적인 윈도우 인터페이스로 구현되어 있어 사용자가 프로그램을 구동하고 이용하기 매우 쉽고, 분석결과에 대한 이해도 용이하다. 본 프로그램은 사용자가 지정한 파라미터 값들(%GC, Obs (CpG)/Exp (CpG), 분석 윈도우 크기, 스텝크기, Gap 허용치, #CG)에 의해 CpG island의 위치를 결정하고, G+C%와 CpG island의 위치를 시각적으로 보여준다. 결과적으로, CpGi는 CpG island 관련 실험 연구자들뿐만 아니라 대용량 서열 분석 및 주석 작업을 위해 매우 유용한 도구로 활용될 수 있을 것이다. A CpG island is a short stretch of DNA in which the frequency of the CG dinucleotide is higher than other regions. CpG islands are present in the promoters and exonic regions of approximately <TEX>$30{\sim}60$</TEX>% of mammalian genes so they are useful markers for genes in organisms containing 5-methylcytosine in their genomes. Recent evidence supports the notion that the hypermethylation of CpG island, by silencing tumor suppressor genes, plays a major causal role in cancer, which has been described in almost every tumor types. In this respect, CpG island search by computational methods is very helpful for cancer research and computational promoter and gene predictions. I therefore developed a window program (called CpGi) on the basis of CpG island criteria defined by D. Takai and P. A. Jones. The program 'CpGi' was implemented in Visual C++ 6.0 and can determine the locations of CpG islands using diverse parameters (%GC, Obs (CpG)/Exp (CpG), window size, step size, gap value, # of CpG, length) specified by user. The analysis result of CpGi provides a graphical map of CpG islands and G+C% plot, where more detailed information on CpG island can be obtained through pop-up window. Two human contigs, i.e. AP00524 (from chromosome 22) and NT_029490.3 (from chromosome 21), were used to compare the performance of CpGi and two other public programs for the accuracy of search results. The two other programs used in the performance comparison are Emboss-CpGPlot and CpG Island Searcher that are web-based public CpG island search programs. The comparison result showed that CpGi is on a level with or outperforms Emboss-CpGPlot and CpG Island Searcher. Having a simple and easy-to-use user interface, CpGi would be a very useful tool for genome analysis and CpG island research. To obtain a copy of CpGi for academic use only, contact corresponding author.

The role of graphical and text based argumentation tools in hypermedia learning

In this study, the effects of visualization tools on argumentation skills, knowledge acquisition, and motivation during learning with a hypermedia learning environment were examined. Participants in this experiment had to complete an argumentation task on environmental issues by using a hypermedia learning environment as resource. In one condition, participants were provided with a graphical mind mapping tool in order to complete an argumentation task. In a second condition, a two-columned text editor has been given. A control group received no argumentation task and no corresponding support device. Results suggest that a graphical argumentation support device can enhance learners’ motivation, but has no influence on knowledge acquisition or quality of arguments, whereas both argumentation support devices led to superior results compared to the control group. Overall, results reveal that the assignment of an argumentation task to hypermedia learning environments was an effective instructional strategy that led to enhanced knowledge acquisition compared to learning without an argumentation task.

Site survey: mapeamento, detecção de vulnerabilidades e análise de sinal de redes sem fio

A técnica do site survey em redes wireless possibilita o mapeamento gráfico, a análise de sinais wi-fi e a detecção de vulnerabilidades em redes sem fio. O conhecimento dessa ferramenta é fundamental para determinar a viabilidade de sua implantação e analisar a abrangência dos sinais de radiofreqüência, contribuindo para a execução de projetos de redes wireless, com qualidade, eficiência e segurança.

Simultaneous subsurface defect detection and contact parameter assessment in a wheel–rail system

In the last few years, a non-conventional ultrasonic approach has been proposed by the authors to experimentally assess the main contact parameters in wheel–rail systems. This technique, which is based on the analysis of the reflection of high frequency ultrasonic waves from the wheel–rail interface, makes it possible to obtain graphic maps from which we can observe the shape of the contact area, measure its size, and also collect qualitative information about contact pressure distribution. Furthermore, ultrasonic waves are quite well known as one of the primary non-destructive testing techniques useful in checking the presence of cracks in wheels, rails and axles. Thus, it was thought to combine these two approaches to obtain a single tool capable of supplying at the same time information about wheel–rail contact and the possible presence of subsurface cracks, which are typically located a few millimeters below the surface. This study reports the results of a series of experiments, performed on realistic wheel–rail couplings, in which the wheel was characterized by the presence of subsurface defects of known geometry. For each case tested, the whole ultrasonic waveform (which contains information about both the contact interface and a certain thickness of the wheel to investigate) was acquired and analyzed with dedicated software. The original data, expressed in terms of amplitude of reflected peaks, have been processed to obtain a number of graphic maps which, layer by layer, starting from the surface, give an idea first of all of contact conditions and, at the same time, of what kind of anomalies are present below it. These data are potentially useful in supporting numerical studies on the propagation of rolling contact fatigue (RCF) subsurface cracks by providing both actual contact pressure distribution and geometry of the cracks.

The CGView Server: a comparative genomics tool for circular genomes

The CGView Server generates graphical maps of circular genomes that show sequence features, base composition plots, analysis results and sequence similarity plots. Sequences can be supplied in raw, FASTA, GenBank or EMBL format. Additional feature or analysis information can be submitted in the form of GFF (General Feature Format) files. The server uses BLAST to compare the primary sequence to up to three comparison genomes or sequence sets. The BLAST results and feature information are converted to a graphical map showing the entire sequence, or an expanded and more detailed view of a region of interest. Several options are included to control which types of features are displayed and how the features are drawn. The CGView Server can be used to visualize features associated with any bacterial, plasmid, chloroplast or mitochondrial genome, and can aid in the identification of conserved genome segments, instances of horizontal gene transfer, and differences in gene copy number. Because a collection of sequences can be used in place of a comparison genome, maps can also be used to visualize regions of a known genome covered by newly obtained sequence reads. The CGView Server can be accessed at http://stothard.afns.ualberta.ca/cgview_server/

Human Factors and Systems Engineering Approach to Patient Safety for Radiotherapy

The traditional approach to solving patient safety problems in healthcare is to blame the last person to touch the patient. But since the publication of To Err is Human, the call has been instead to use human factors and systems engineering methods and principles to solve patient safety problems. However, an understanding of the human factors and systems engineering is lacking, and confusion remains about what it means to apply their principles. This paper provides a primer on them and their applications to patient safety.

Chromhome: a rich internet application for accessing comparative chromosome homology maps.

BackgroundComparative genomics has become a significant research area in recent years, following the availability of a number of sequenced genomes. The comparison of genomes is of great importance in the analysis of functionally important genome regions. It can also be used to understand the phylogenetic relationships of species and the mechanisms leading to rearrangement of karyotypes during evolution. Many species have been studied at the cytogenetic level by cross species chromosome painting. With the large amount of such information, it has become vital to computerize the data and make them accessible worldwide. Chromhome is a comprehensive web application that is designed to provide cytogenetic comparisons among species and to fulfil this need.ResultsThe Chromhome application architecture is multi-tiered with an interactive client layer, business logic and database layers. Enterprise java platform with open source framework OpenLaszlo is used to implement the Rich Internet Chromhome Application. Cross species comparative mapping raw data are collected and the processed information is stored into MySQL Chromhome database. Chromhome Release 1.0 contains 109 homology maps from 51 species. The data cover species from 14 orders and 30 families. The homology map displays all the chromosomes of the compared species as one image, making comparisons among species easier. Inferred data also provides maps of homologous regions that could serve as a guideline for researchers involved in phylogenetic or evolution based studies.ConclusionChromhome provides a useful resource for comparative genomics, holding graphical homology maps of a wide range of species. It brings together cytogenetic data of many genomes under one roof. Inferred painting can often determine the chromosomal homologous regions between two species, if each has been compared with a common third species. Inferred painting greatly reduces the need to map entire genomes and helps focus only on relevant regions of the chromosomes of the species under study. Future releases of Chromhome will accommodate more species and their respective gene and BAC maps, in addition to chromosome painting data. Chromhome application provides a single-page interface (SPI) with desktop style layout, delivering a better and richer user experience.

Ultrasonic Measurements of Contact Area and Pressure Distribution of a Pneumatic Tire on a Rigid Surface

Abstract Contact phenomena which occur at the tire-ground interface play a crucial role in most issues related to optimal performances of the vehicle, safety, comfort, and energy consumption. Thus, it is essential to have available experimental tools capable of supplying detailed information about the main contact parameters (size and shape of nominal contact area and contact pressure distribution), especially when unknown or unpredictable external conditions make it difficult to use numerical tools in assessing them. Although a number of laboratory techniques have been devised to address this problem, here we propose a novel approach that exploits the property of ultrasonic waves to be differently reflected by a contact interface depending on its stress state. This noninvasive method is capable of supplying in real-time detailed maps of contact conditions as well as quantitative information with regard to geometric features of the contact area and contact pressure distribution values after suitable postprocessing procedures. This study reports the results of the application of the ultrasonic method in the case of contact of a motor-bicycle tire on a rigid surface. A number of tests were carried out under different conditions with regard to inflation pressure and applied load. In each case, the raw reflection data were converted into graphic maps that display the contact area features and contain information about contact pressure. Moreover, to assess the quantitative reliability of the technique, ultrasonic data were compared with those obtained by means of a commercial pressure-sensitive film. The results are discussed to evaluate the capability of the ultrasonic method to correctly capture contact patch features.

A Bootstrap Local Bandwidth Selector for Additive Models

This article proposes a bootstrap local bandwidth selector for estimating nonparametric additive models. The selector is derived from a bootstrap approximation of the conditional mean squared error, based on a wild bootstrap resampling scheme applied to the estimated residuals. The selector is computed exactly (without involving Monte Carlo approximations) and in practice can be evaluated for many additive estimation methods, including backfitting (bivariate), marginal integration, and mixed methods. We study the consistency of the bootstrap approximation and also carry out an empirical simulation study to explore the performance of the proposed selector in comparison with others. The graphical tool SiZer Map enables us to make meaningful comparisons between local and global selectors.

Graphically Mapping Electronic Discussions: Understanding Online Conversational Dynamics

Transcripts of electronic discussions have traditionally been examined via the use of conversational analysis techniques. Coding such transcripts provides rich data regarding the content and nature of the discussions that take place. However, understanding the content of a message is not limited to the actual message itself. An electronic message is sent either in response to or to start a discussion thread. Examining the entry point of a new message can help to clarify the dynamics of the community discussion. Electronic discussions do not appear to follow traditional conversational norms. New messages may be immediate responses or they can be responses to messages posted over a longer period of time in the past. However, by graphically mapping electronic discussions, a clearer understanding of the dynamics of electronic discussions can be achieved. This article presents the findings of a study that was conducted on three online communities for teachers. The transcripts of electronic discussions were collected and examined via conversational analysis. These messages were then analysed via graphical mapping and the findings concluded that three distinct patterns exist which electronic discussions may follow. It was further discovered that each of these patterns was indicative of a distinct type of electronic discussion. The findings from this study offer further insight into the nature of online discussions and help us to understand online conversational dynamics.

The Impact of River Engineering Works on the Dyje River floodplain in the Czech Republic

Abstract The article deals with changes to the lower part of the Dyje River floodplain, Czech Republic, caused by river engineering works. It investigates channel changes as well as changes in the number of cut-off meanders (cut-offs), oxbow lakes (oxbows), and pools, focusing on the impact of river engineering works on land use and specific natural conditions of the floodplain. The author begins with a history of river engineering works in the study area and their impact from the perspective of natural conditions and human activities. She then divides the study area into five sections, according to the period when the works were carried out, and examines each one using graphical methods and old maps to determine their morphometric characteristics at different periods. Her research shows a significant shortening of the Dyje, a decrease in its sinuosity, and fluctuations in its surface area and in the number of cut-offs, oxbows, and pools. As regards the natural environment, the engineering works determined a lowering of the water table and some changes in plant species. From the perspective of human activities, in the form of land use changes, the study indicates that there was a significant reduction of meadow and pastureland, an increase in recreational areas, and a decrease in forestland during the period under investigation. Some of these changes – notably the increase of the overall water surface and the decrease of forestland – are a direct result of river engineering works, while others – the ploughing of the floodplain and the spread of recreational areas around reservoirs – are an indirect consequence thereof.

Metabolic model integration of the bibliome, genome, metabolome and reactome of Aspergillus niger

The release of the genome sequences of two strains of Aspergillus niger has allowed systems-level investigations of this important microbial cell factory. To this end, tools for doing data integration of multi-ome data are necessary, and especially interesting in the context of metabolism. On the basis of an A. niger bibliome survey, we present the largest model reconstruction of a metabolic network reported for a fungal species. The reconstructed gapless metabolic network is based on the reportings of 371 articles and comprises 1190 biochemically unique reactions and 871 ORFs. Inclusion of isoenzymes increases the total number of reactions to 2240. A graphical map of the metabolic network is presented. All levels of the reconstruction process were based on manual curation. From the reconstructed metabolic network, a mathematical model was constructed and validated with data on yields, fluxes and transcription. The presented metabolic network and map are useful tools for examining systemwide data in a metabolic context. Results from the validated model show a great potential for expanding the use of A. niger as a high-yield production platform.