Route choice behavior of freeway travelers under realtime traffic information provision–application of the best route and the habitual route choice mechanisms

The route choice behaviour on freeways between Taipei and Taichung in Taiwan under real-time traffic information provision is investigated. Two types of route choice mechanisms (the best-route and habitual-route) are analysed using ordered probit models to identify the major influences on freeway travellers’ route choice behaviour. The level of service associated with each route is defined as a generalized cost saving and specified non-linearly with a spline-like threshold inherent to travellers. The marginal (dis)utility thresholds in the ‘best’ and ‘habitual’ behaviour models are identified through a grid search assessed on overall goodness of fit. The findings from this study provide a better understanding of the effects of Advanced Traveller Information Systems on drivers’ route choice behaviour, and a useful reference when planning for the provision of realtime information for drivers

V-MitoSNP: visualization of human mitochondrial SNPs

BACKGROUND: Mitochondrial single nucleotide polymorphisms (mtSNPs) constitute important data when trying to shed some light on human diseases and cancers. Unfortunately, providing relevant mtSNP genotyping information in mtDNA databases in a neatly organized and transparent visual manner still remains a challenge. Amongst the many methods reported for SNP genotyping, determining the restriction fragment length polymorphisms (RFLPs) is still one of the most convenient and cost-saving methods. In this study, we prepared the visualization of the mtDNA genome in a way, which integrates the RFLP genotyping information with mitochondria related cancers and diseases in a user-friendly, intuitive and interactive manner. The inherent problem associated with mtDNA sequences in BLAST of the NCBI database was also solved. DESCRIPTION: V-MitoSNP provides complete mtSNP information for four different kinds of inputs: (1) color-coded visual input by selecting genes of interest on the genome graph, (2) keyword search by locus, disease and mtSNP rs# ID, (3) visualized input of nucleotide range by clicking the selected region of the mtDNA sequence, and (4) sequences mtBLAST. The V-MitoSNP output provides 500 bp (base pairs) flanking sequences for each SNP coupled with the RFLP enzyme and the corresponding natural or mismatched primer sets. The output format enables users to see the SNP genotype pattern of the RFLP by virtual electrophoresis of each mtSNP. The rate of successful design of enzymes and primers for RFLPs in all mtSNPs was 99.1%. The RFLP information was validated by actual agarose electrophoresis and showed successful results for all mtSNPs tested. The mtBLAST function in V-MitoSNP provides the gene information within the input sequence rather than providing the complete mitochondrial chromosome as in the NCBI BLAST database. All mtSNPs with rs number entries in NCBI are integrated in the corresponding SNP in V-MitoSNP. CONCLUSION: V-MitoSNP is a web-based software platform that provides a user-friendly and interactive interface for mtSNP information, especially with regard to RFLP genotyping. Visual input and output coupled with integrated mtSNP information from MITOMAP and NCBI make V-MitoSNP an ideal and complete visualization interface for human mtSNPs association studies

Can probability of genetic mutation be an indicator of clinical relevance?

AbstractNPM1 gene mutation evaluated on a population basis is a valuable and realistic tool to reflect the pathophysiological relevance of cancer. In a comparison of the NPM1 cDNA of human bladder cancer with its consensus sequence, we have found that a higher NPM1 sequence identity in a population is consistent with poor tumor differentiation, advanced tumor stage, and likelihood of recurrence. These data imply that “probability” of NPM1 mutation is an indicator of status of malignancy

A simple marking system for accurate intraoperative monitoring and adjustment of cyclotorsion strabismus surgery

Ocular cyclotorsion is treatable only with surgery. The surgical procedure must be tailored individually to the specific etiologies causing the horizontal and vertical strabismus and its torsional components. An adjustable surgical approach is often used for postoperative or intraoperative adjustments. However, the methods currently used have some limitations. In this study, we propose a simple intraoperative marking system for all cyclotorsion correction surgery. The proposed marking system used three sets of surface markers: external horizontal markings, ocular horizontal markings, and surgical torsion markings, drawn in sequence. We retrospectively analyzed the surgical results using this novel marking system in this single-center, single-surgeon study. Fifteen patients with cyclotorsion who underwent treatment using the proposed marking system as an intraoperative aid between August 2019 and August 2021 were included. The medical charts were thoroughly reviewed, and the pre-and postoperative subjective and objective cyclotorsion were analyzed. Among the study subjects (10 males, 5 females; age range: 6–89 years), 13 had excyclotorsion and 2 incyclotorsion. Preoperative mean net subjective cyclotorsion measured by the double Maddox rod (DMR) test was 6.0° (standard deviation: 10.8°) and mean net disc-to-fovea angle (DFA) was 20.23° (13.21°). The postoperative net DMR and DFA were 0.2° (2.1°) and 14.09° (5.97°), respectively. The mean absolute net DMR and DFA being treated were 9.8° (4.8°) and 9.76° (4.61°). Overall, the proposed intraoperative marking system is a simple and quantitative method to assess, monitor, and adjust the torsional aspect for all strabismus surgeries

Analyzing the impact of veneer layup direction and heat treatment on plywood strain distribution during bending load by digital image correlation (DIC) technique

In this study, radiata pine veneers and phenol-formaldehyde resin were used to prepare specimens of 5-ply plywood with different layup directions and heat treatments of veneers. The physical and flexural properties of the plywood specimens were assessed, and digital image correlation (DIC) analysis was employed to determine the strain distribution of the plywood under bending loads. The results of the static mechanical strength and DIC tests showed that the plywood with a small-angle veneer layup ([0]5 and [0,22.5,0,22.5,0]) exhibited a better longitudinal modulus of rupture (MOR), while [0,45,0,45,0] plywood showed the least bending strength and most strain. Moreover, the results revealed that for plywood composed of veneers that were fully heat treated at 200 °C (5T200), the moisture content was efficiently decreased, and the modulus of elasticity parallel to grain (MOE//) was the highest. The DIC images indicated that the largest strain along the x-direction (εxx) was concentrated on the tensile side of untreated plywood (5 N) and on the opposite side of plywood composed of heat-treated veneers, except for the plywood composed of veneers treated at 220 °C (5T220). Of these, 5T200 plywood showed the least strain. In addition, the plywood with 200 °C heat-treated veneers instead of face and core layers (NTNTN200) or crossband layers of untreated veneers (TNTNT200) had larger strain values than 5 N and 5T200 plywood specimens, with NTNTN200 plywood having the greatest strain. According to the above results, appropriate layering and heat treatment of veneers can effectively improve the dimensional stability and flexural properties of plywood

The dimer interface of the SARS coronavirus nucleocapsid protein adapts a porcine respiratory and reproductive syndrome virus-like structure

AbstractWe have employed NMR to investigate the structure of SARS coronavirus nucleocapsid protein dimer. We found that the secondary structure of the dimerization domain consists of five α helices and a β-hairpin. The dimer interface consists of a continuous four-stranded β-sheet superposed by two long α helices, reminiscent of that found in the nucleocapsid protein of porcine respiratory and reproductive syndrome virus. Extensive hydrogen bond formation between the two hairpins and hydrophobic interactions between the β-sheet and the α helices render the interface highly stable. Sequence alignment suggests that other coronavirus may share the same structural topology

Effects of epinephrine on heart rate variability and cytokines in a rat sepsis model

Catecholamines have both anti-inflammatory and vasoactive properties. A decreased cardiac response to catecholamines has been associated with a high risk of death in sepsis and septic shock. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of epinephrine (EPI) on heart rate variability and autonomic balance, as well as cytokine levels, in a rat sepsis model. Thirty-six male Sprague-Dawley rats were assigned to 4 experimental groups and 2 control groups of 6 rats each. The rats in the experimental groups were inoculated with a lipopolysaccharide (LPS, endotoxin) to establish a sepsis model. Group A received only LPS; group B received LPS, antecedent EPI and the nonselective beta-blocker propranolol; group C received LPS and antecedent EPI; and group D received LPS, antecedent EPI and the selective beta1-blocker esmolol. One control group received EPI and the other received saline placebo. Heart rate variability was analyzed and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin-6 (IL-6) and interleukin-1β (IL-1β) levels were measured. Measurements were carried out at baseline and 0, 0.5, 2, and 4 hours after LPS inoculation. There were significant differences in heart rate variability and cytokine levels between the groups, indicating that LPS infusion caused autonomic imbalance. Antecedent EPI significantly decreased the level of TNF-α in group C compared with group A in which TNF-α level peaked at 2 hours and then declined. Propranolol (group B) but not esmolol (group D) administration resulted in elevated TNF-α levels, comparable to those observed in group A. In conclusion, antecedent administration of EPI in a rat sepsis model inhibits the production of TNF-α possibly via the β2-adrenoreceptor