Eye-tracking device comparisons of three methods of magnetic resonance image series displays

This study evaluated the effectiveness of three kinds of display methods for magnetic resonance (MR) image interpretation using an eye-tracking device. Seven radiologists interpreted head MR studies by using a single monitor (17-inch, 1,024 X 1,280 bit) in the 4 images/screen display format. Three paging modes were compared: (A) rapid paging only, (B) multiple image series display at the same slice position with consecutive rapid paging, and (C) simultaneous display of multiple series with each image series being browsed independently. Using an eye-mark camera, the radiologist's point of fixation and the duration of fixation were recorded during actual image interpretation. In mode A, the duration of fixation was short, and the points of fixation were distributed randomly over the visual field. In mode B, the points of fixation were clustered chiefly on a specific image series. In mode C, the points of fixation were not clustered on a specified series, but the duration of viewing the T2 series was relatively long. The total tracing area in mode B and C was smaller than that in mode A. Multiple series display, in which selected key series of slices could be viewed effectively, was found to be suitable for MR image interpretation.     

Overproduction of Mpd2p suppresses the lethality of protein disulfide isomerase depletion in a CXXC sequence dependent manner

The third multicopy suppressor gene of the PDI1 deletion from Saccharomyces cerevisiae, MPD2, was isolated and characterized. The MPD2 gene encodes a protein with a putative signal sequence, ER retention signal, and a disulfide isomerase active site like sequence. The amino acid sequence around the active site like sequence is similar to the thioredoxin-like domains of PDI and PDI related proteins, although the similarity is comparatively low. A delta-pdi1 strain over-producing Mpd2p showed slow growth and was sensitive to 1 mM dithiothreitol. Mpd2p can be detected in wild type cells and is a glycoprotein. Although the MPD2 gene was not essential for growth, overexpression of the gene partially restored the maturation defect of carboxypeptidase Y caused by the PDI1 deletion. Mutagenesis analysis revealed that Mpd2p can compensate for the loss of PDI with its CXXC sequence.     

Synthesis, Structure and Magnetic Properties of a Novel Anion-Radical Salt Based on TCNQ

Abstract  

A novel anion-radical salt, (Bbzim)(TCNQ)_1.5·CH₃CN (1), (where Bbzim = 1,3-bis(4-cyanobenzyl)-1H-imidazol-3-ium and TCNQ = 7,7,8,8-tetracyanoquinodimethane) has been fabricated and X-ray single crystal structural analyses. The structure analysis show there exist TCNQ⁻¹ and TCNQ⁰ entries, which are in agreement with the IR spectra analysis of the compound. Two TCNQ (A) and one TCNQ (B) molecules stack into a triad, and the triads further develop into a column in a pattern ···ABA···ABA··· along a-axis. The temperature dependence of the magnetic susceptibility (2–300 K) for 1 exhibits spin gap of singlet–triplet feature, and the best fit gave the Δ/k_B = 1236.5 K.     

Syntheses and Characterizations of Three Cu(II) Complexes with 2,2′-Bipyridine-3,3′-dicarboxylate and <Emphasis Type="Italic">N</Emphasis>-Donor Ancillary Ligands

Abstract  

Three novel inorganic–organic hybrid frameworks of [Cu(BPDC)(2,2′-bipy)] (1), [Cu(BPDC)(BIB)₂ ·H₂O]_n (2) and [Cu(BPDC)(4,4′-bipy)]_n (3) (BPDC²⁻ = 2,2′-bipyridine-3,3′-dicarboxylate; 2,2′-bipy = 2,2′-bipyridine; BIB = 1,2-bis(imidazol-1-ylmethyl)benzene; 4,4′-bipy = 4,4′-bipyridine) were prepared. The three complexes have been characterized by the elemental analyses, IR spectra, TGA and the single crystal X-ray diffraction. Two intramolecular Cu(II) centers of 1 are encircled by two BPDC²⁻ ligands forming an 18-membered ring, which is further assembled into a three-dimensional (3D) supramolecular architecture through the C–H···O hydrogen-bonding interactions. Complex 2 possesses a two-dimensional layer network, while complex 3 is a three-dimensional polymer composed of Cu-BPDC helical chains bridged by 4,4′-bipy. In addition, the electrochemistry of complex 1 was investigated.     

Solving constraint-satisfaction problems by a genetic algorithm adopting viral infection

Several approximate algorithms have been reported to solve large constraint-satisfaction problems (CSPs) within a practical time. While those papers discuss techniques to escape from local optima, this paper describes a method that actively performs global searches. The present method improves the rate of search of genetic algorithms by using viral infection instead of mutation. Partial solutions of a CSP are considered to be viruses, and a population of viruses is created, as well as a population of candidate solutions. The search for a solution is conducted by crossover and infection. Infection substitutes the gene of a virus for the locus decided by the virus. Experimental results using randomly generated CSPs prove that the proposed method is faster that usual genetic algorithms at finding a solution when the constraint density of a CSP is low.