Mining closed patterns in multi-sequence time-series databases

In this paper, we propose an efficient algorithm, called CMP-Miner, to mine closed patterns in a time-series database where each record in the database, also called a transaction, contains multiple time-series sequences. Our proposed algorithm consists of three phases. First, we transform each time-series sequence in a transaction into a symbolic sequence. Second, we scan the transformed database to find frequent patterns of length one. Third, for each frequent pattern found in the second phase, we recursively enumerate frequent patterns by a frequent pattern tree in a depth-first search manner. During the process of enumeration, we apply several efficient pruning strategies to remove frequent but non-closed patterns. Thus, the CMP-Miner algorithm can efficiently mine the closed patterns from a time-series database. The experimental results show that our proposed algorithm outperforms the modified Apriori and BIDE algorithms.     

A possible mechanism of destruction of coastal trees by tsunamis: A hydrodynamic study on effects of coastal steep hills

In this paper, experimental and numerical studies are presented to understand why some trees close to the shoreline survived the 25 October 2010 Mentawai tsunami, while trees further inland before a steep coastal hill were all destroyed. A set of experiments were performed in a wave flume to measure the flow depths and forces acting on tree models, and the experimental results were used to verify our numerical model. Cross-shore distribution of the flow depth and the flow-induced bending moment acting on tree trunks were studied using our numerical model. Our results show that the presence of the steep hill increased both the flow depth and the bending moment acting on trees close to the steep hill, and might be an important mechanism responsible for the destruction of coastal trees.     

A Fiber Splicing-Plane-Inspection Technique Using Lens–Fiber Interference for the Cascaded Fiber Fabrication

In this paper, a novel inspection technique for the cascaded fiber fabrication is proposed to improve the coupling performance of such fibers. Instead of using a direct-monitoring method, an indirect technique with the help of the ray tracing and the lens-fiber interference is used. By calculating the optical-path length of the light rays passing through the fiber, the interference fringes and light intensity can be counted. Then, the splicing plane of the cascaded fiber can be determined by observing the difference between the two fiber sections. Simulations and experiments have been performed to find the splicing plane. Finally, the accuracy of fabrication can be improved from 10 to about 1 mum; thus, the coupling loss due to the fabrication process can be reduced.     

Selective Activation of Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress by Reactive-Oxygen-Species-Mediated Ochratoxin A-Induced Apoptosis in Tubular Epithelial Cells

Ochratoxin A (OTA), one of the major food-borne mycotoxins, impacts the health of humans and livestock by contaminating food and feed. However, the underlying mechanism of OTA nephrotoxicity remains unknown. This study demonstrated that OTA induced apoptosis through selective endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress activation in human renal proximal tubular cells (HK-2). OTA increased ER-stress-related JNK and precursor caspase-4 cleavage apoptotic pathways. Further study revealed that OTA increased reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels, and N-acetyl cysteine (NAC) could reduce OTA-induced JNK-related apoptosis and ROS levels in HK-2 cells. Our results demonstrate that OTA induced ER stress-related apoptosis through an ROS-mediated pathway. This study provides new evidence to clarify the mechanism of OTA-induced nephrotoxicity.     

A Hybrid Detecting Fraudulent Financial Statements Model Using Rough Set Theory and Support Vector Machines

The detection of fraudulent financial statements (FFS) is an important and challenging issue that has served as the impetus for many academic studies over the past three decades. Although nonfinancial ratios are generally acknowledged as the key factor contributing to the FFS of a corporation, they are usually excluded from early detection models. The objective of this study is to increase the accuracy of FFS detection by integrating the rough set theory (RST) and support vector machines (SVM) approaches, while adopting both financial and nonfinancial ratios as predictive variables. The results showed that the proposed hybrid approach (RST+SVM) has the best classification rate as well as the lowest occurrence of Types I and II errors, and that nonfinancial ratios are indeed valuable information in FFS detection.     

Optical fiber polishing automation with on-line force sensing

This study proposes a bare fiber polishing control strategy and force sensing mechanism to improve the performance of fiber polishing in optical communication. By analyzing the force and problems encountered during polishing, this study successfully measured the force with the required precision. Finally, the experimental results demonstrate a yield improvement from 20% to 80%, for a fiber tip offset within 1.5 μm.     

Lysine-block-tyrosine block copolypeptides: Self-assembly,cross-linking,and conjugation of targeted ligand for drug encapsulation

This report describes the synthesis and self-assembly of poly(l-lysine)-block-poly(l-tyrosine) (PLL-b-PLT) block copolypeptides. These block copolypeptides self-assembled to form vesicles or micelles with sizes between 100 and 350 nm as confirmed by light scattering and electron microscopy. The spectral properties and chain conformation of these block copolypeptides were studied by UV/vis, fluorescence, and circular dichroism. UV cross-linked micelles and vesicles can be prepared by dimerization of tyrosine residues, evidenced by the presence of fluorescence emission at 410–430 nm. The block copolypeptides can be functionalized by a variety of cell-targeted ligands as demonstrated by conjugation of a saccharide group, lactobionolactone, onto the copolymers. A preliminary evaluation of the glycopeptides for in vitro drug release was studied. Due to the unique features exhibited by both PLL and PLT segments, it can be expected that these amphiphilic block copolypeptides to be useful as targeted drug carriers, functional nanobioreactors, and biomimetic encapsulants in the biomedical fields.     

Enmein Decreases Synaptic Glutamate Release and Protects against Kainic Acid-Induced Brain Injury in Rats

This study investigated the effects of enmein, an active constituent of Isodon japonicus Hara, on glutamate release in rat cerebrocortical nerve terminals (synaptosomes) and evaluated its neuroprotective potential in a rat model of kainic acid (KA)-induced glutamate excitotoxicity. Enmein inhibited depolarization-induced glutamate release, FM1-43 release, and Ca²⁺ elevation in cortical nerve terminals but had no effect on the membrane potential. Removing extracellular Ca²⁺ and blocking vesicular glutamate transporters, N- and P/Q-type Ca²⁺ channels, or protein kinase C (PKC) prevented the inhibition of glutamate release by enmein. Enmein also decreased the phosphorylation of PKC, PKC-α, and myristoylated alanine-rich C kinase substrates in synaptosomes. In the KA rat model, intraperitoneal administration of enmein 30 min before intraperitoneal injection of KA reduced neuronal cell death, glial cell activation, and glutamate elevation in the hippocampus. Furthermore, in the hippocampi of KA rats, enmein increased the expression of synaptic markers (synaptophysin and postsynaptic density protein 95) and excitatory amino acid transporters 2 and 3, which are responsible for glutamate clearance, whereas enmein decreased the expression of glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) and CD11b. These results indicate that enmein not only inhibited glutamate release from cortical synaptosomes by suppressing Ca²⁺ influx and PKC but also increased KA-induced hippocampal neuronal death by suppressing gliosis and decreasing glutamate levels by increasing glutamate uptake.     

Applications of single-wafer thermal processing to 0.15-/spl mu/m high-density MROM

Feasibility of single-wafer rapid-thermal process as an alternative to the conventional batch-type furnace process is evaluated on a 0.15-/spl mu/m 128-Mb mask read only memory (MROM) product. Excellent gate oxide integrity and device characteristics are achieved with a single-wafer rapid-thermal process. Superior yield and product reliability by using single-wafer process tool have also been achieved. Shortened process cycle time and better thermal process uniformity by using single-wafer rapid-thermal processing are demonstrated.