Interactive Visual Exploration of Longitudinal Historical Career Mobility Data.

The increased availability of quantitative historical datasets has provided new research opportunities for multiple disciplines in social science. In this article, we work closely with the constructors of a new dataset, CGED-Q (China Government Employee Database-Qing), that records the career trajectories of over 340,000 government officials in the Qing bureaucracy in China from 1760 to 1912. We use these data to study career mobility from a historical perspective and understand social mobility and inequality. However, existing statistical approaches are inadequate for analyzing career mobility in this historical dataset with its fine-grained attributes and long time span, since they are mostly hypothesis-driven and require substantial effort. We propose CareerLens, an interactive visual analytics system for assisting experts in exploring, understanding, and reasoning from historical career data. With CareerLens, experts examine mobility patterns in three levels-of-detail, namely, the macro-level providing a summary of overall mobility, the meso-level extracting latent group mobility patterns, and the micro-level revealing social relationships of individuals. We demonstrate the effectiveness and usability of CareerLens through two case studies and receive encouraging feedback from follow-up interviews with domain experts.

PassVizor: Toward Better Understanding of the Dynamics of Soccer Passes.

In soccer, passing is the most frequent interaction between players and plays a significant role in creating scoring chances. Experts are interested in analyzing players' passing behavior to learn passing tactics, i.e., how players build up an attack with passing. Various approaches have been proposed to facilitate the analysis of passing tactics. However, the dynamic changes of a team's employed tactics over a match have not been comprehensively investigated. To address the problem, we closely collaborate with domain experts and characterize requirements to analyze the dynamic changes of a team's passing tactics. To characterize the passing tactic employed for each attack, we propose a topic-based approach that provides a high-level abstraction of complex passing behaviors. Based on the model, we propose a glyph-based design to reveal the multi-variate information of passing tactics within different phases of attacks, including player identity, spatial context, and formation. We further design and develop PassVizor, a visual analytics system, to support the comprehensive analysis of passing dynamics. With the system, users can detect the changing patterns of passing tactics and examine the detailed passing process for evaluating passing tactics. We invite experts to conduct analysis with PassVizor and demonstrate the usability of the system through an expert interview.

ForVizor: Visualizing Spatio-Temporal Team Formations in Soccer.

Regarded as a high-level tactic in soccer, a team formation assigns players different tasks and indicates their active regions on the pitch, thereby influencing the team performance significantly. Analysis of formations in soccer has become particularly indispensable for soccer analysts. However, formations of a team are intrinsically time-varying and contain inherent spatial information. The spatio-temporal nature of formations and other characteristics of soccer data, such as multivariate features, make analysis of formations in soccer a challenging problem. In this study, we closely worked with domain experts to characterize domain problems of formation analysis in soccer and formulated several design goals. We design a novel spatio-temporal visual representation of changes in team formation, allowing analysts to visually analyze the evolution of formations and track the spatial flow of players within formations over time. Based on the new design, we further design and develop ForVizor, a visual analytics system, which empowers users to track the spatio-temporal changes in formation and understand how and why such changes occur. With ForVizor, domain experts conduct formation analysis of two games. Analysis results with insights and useful feedback are summarized in two case studies.

Automated Microfluidic Platform for Serial Polymerase Chain Reaction and High-Resolution Melting Analysis.

We report the development of an automated genetic analyzer for human sample testing based on microfluidic rapid polymerase chain reaction (PCR) with high-resolution melting analysis (HRMA). The integrated DNA microfluidic cartridge was used on a platform designed with a robotic pipettor system that works by sequentially picking up different test solutions from a 384-well plate, mixing them in the tips, and delivering mixed fluids to the DNA cartridge. A novel image feedback flow control system based on a Canon 5D Mark II digital camera was developed for controlling fluid movement through a complex microfluidic branching network without the use of valves. The same camera was used for measuring the high-resolution melt curve of DNA amplicons that were generated in the microfluidic chip. Owing to fast heating and cooling as well as sensitive temperature measurement in the microfluidic channels, the time frame for PCR and HRMA was dramatically reduced from hours to minutes. Preliminary testing results demonstrated that rapid serial PCR and HRMA are possible while still achieving high data quality that is suitable for human sample testing.

Image browsing in slow medical liquid crystal displays.

RATIONALE AND OBJECTIVES: Statistics show that radiologists are reading more studies than ever before, creating the challenge of interpreting an increasing number of images without compromising diagnostic performance. Stack-mode image display has the potential to allow radiologists to browse large three-dimensional (3D) datasets at refresh rates as high as 30 images/second. In this framework, the slow temporal response of liquid crystal displays (LCDs) can compromise the image quality when the images are browsed in a fast sequence. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this article, we report on the effect of the LCD response time at different image browsing speeds based on the performance of a contrast-sensitive channelized-hoteling observer. A stack of simulated 3D clustered lumpy background images with a designer nodule to be detected is used. The effect of different browsing speeds is calculated with LCD temporal response measurements from our previous work. The image set is then analyzed by the model observer, which has been shown to predict human detection performance in Gaussian and non-Gaussian lumpy backgrounds. This methodology allows us to quantify the effect of slow temporal response of medical liquid crystal displays on the performance of the anthropomorphic observers. RESULTS: We find that the slow temporal response of the display device greatly affects lesion contrast and observer performance. A detectability decrease of more than 40% could be caused by the slow response of the display. CONCLUSIONS: After validation with human observers, this methodology can be applied to more realistic background data with the goal of providing recommendations for the browsing speed of large volumetric image datasets (from computed tomography, magnetic resonance, or tomosynthesis) when read in stack-mode.

Temporal response of medical liquid crystal displays.

Displays based on liquid crystal technology suffer from slow temporal response due to the dynamics of the molecular rearrangement in response to a pixel voltage change. A slow display can affect the visualization by the human observer of subtle contrast in dynamic presentation of volumetric image datasets or real-time image sequences. In this paper, we describe a measurement method for the characterization of the temporal response of medical liquid crystal displays (LCDs). The ratio of luminance difference to noise at the gray levels of concern determines the reliability of measurements. Coefficients of variations are used to represent the measurement reliability. We optimized the repeatability of most response time measurements to less than 10%. However, poor repeatability is encountered for the response of adjacent gray levels. 256 X 255 inter-gray-level transition time matrices were measured for four medical displays and one high-definition TV LCD display. Response times range from below 20 ms to above 150 ms. For each display, response times are not uniformly distributed, with a faster response for large gray-level transitions. Transition times are smaller when the starting gray level is between 10 and 20 for a target between 25 and 150. The difference could be over 100 ms for different transitions within a display. For transitions with poor temporal response, the luminance after 1, 3, and 5 frames reaches only 12, 45, and 75% of the target value, respectively. We also found that LCD response time depends on temperature, with 1 h warm-up reducing the response time by a factor of 2.

[Associations of genetic polymorphisms in the EPHX1 gene and the GSTT1 gene with low birth weight in neonates].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate whether genetic polymorphisms in the microsomal epoxide hydrolase gene (EPHX1) and the glutathione S-transferase theta1 gene (GSTT1) are associated with low birth weight in neonates. METHODS: Using standard questionnaires, 246 singleton live born mother-neonates pairs (73 cases were mother-low birth weight neonate pairs and 173 controls were mother-non low birth weight neonate pairs) were investigated by the trained field workers with case-control study at the hospital in Anqing, Anhui Province, China between 1998 and 1999. A total of 246 neonates were genotyped for genetic polymorphisms in the EPHX1 gene and the GSTT1 gene by a polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism assay. Multiple linear regression models were used to estimate the association of the genetic polymorphisms in the EPHX1 gene and the GSTT1 gene with neonatal low birth weight, adjusting for maternal age, education, parity, neonatal sex and gestational age. RESULTS: EPHX1 His139His homozygote was not associated with low birth weight among neonates, compared with EPHX1 His139Arg heterozygote/Arg139Arg homozygote before and after adjustment confounders. GSTT1 absent genotype group also was not associated with low birth weight among neonates, compared with GSTT1 present genotype group before and after adjustment confounders. When both EPHX1 139 polymorphism and GSTT1 polymorphism were considered, a significant reduction in birth weight was found among neonates with EPHX1 His139His homozygote and GSTT1 absent genotype (OR=3.46, P=0.035). CONCLUSION: The combination between genetic polymorphisms in the EPHX1 gene and the GSTT1 gene in neonates is significantly associated with neonatal low birth weight.

[The application of RNAi to the medical genetics].

Experimental RNA interference (RNAi) leading to the selective knockdown of gene function is induced by introducing into cells either double stranded RNA (dsRNA), or short interfering RNA (siRNA) fragments into which dsRNA is cut. The siRNA triggers degradation of homologous messenger RNA (mRNA). Widely used as a research tool in the genetic model organisms Caenorhabditis elegans, Drosophila melanogaster and mouse to investigate the function of individual genes, RNAi has also been deployed in genome-wide, specific gene-knockdown screens. Recent rapid progress in the application of RNAi to mammalian cells, including neurons and muscle cells, offers new approaches to drug target identification and validation. Advances in targeted delivery of RNAi-inducing molecules have raised the possibility of using RNAi directly as a therapy for a variety of human genetic and other neural and neuromuscular disorders. Here, we review examples of the application of RNAi to worm, fly and mouse models of such diseases aimed at understanding their pathophysiology.

[Associations of Rsa I polymorphism at the 5' flanking region of CYP2E1 and PON2 148 polymorphism in neonates with preterm delivery].

The objective is to investigate whether Rsa I polymorphism at the 5' flanking region of cytochrome P450 2E1 gene (CYP2E1) and paraoxonase 2 gene polymorphism (PON2 148) in neonates are associated with preterm delivery. Using standard questionnaires, 209 singleton live born mother-neonate pairs (include preterm cases and term controls) were investigated by the trained field workers with cross-sectional survey at the hospitals in Anqing, Anhui Province, China. Epidemiological and clinical data and blood samples were obtained from 209 mother-neonate pairs. CYP2E1 homozygous wild-type (+/+) is not associated with a shortened gestation among neonates, compared with CYP2E1 homozygous mutant-type (-/-)/CYP2E1 heterozygote (+/-) before and after adjustment confounders, however, PON2 Ala148Ala homozygote is significantly associated with a shortened gestation among neonates. When Rsa I polymorphism at the 5' flanking region of CYP2E1 and PON2 148 polymorphism were considered jointly, a significant shortened gestation was observed among neonates with the combined genotype of CYP2E1 homozygous wild-type and PON2 Ala148Ala homozygote. In conclusion, Rsa I polymorphism at the 5' flanking region of CYP2E1 in neonates is not associated with preterm delivery, however, PON2 148 polymorphism in neonates is significantly associated with preterm delivery. Furthermore, the gene interaction between Rsa I polymorphism at the 5' flanking region of CYP2E1 and PON2 148 polymorphism in neonates is significantly associated with preterm delivery.

[Association of PON2 gene polymorphisms in neonates with preterm].

Branch of Institute for Biomedicine,Anhui Medical University,Anqing 246000,China Abstract:The objective is to investigate whether gene polymorphisms in the PON2 gene (PON2148 and PON2311) of neonates are associated with preterm. Using standard questionnaires,194 singleton live born mother-neonate pairs (include preterm cases and term controls) were investigated by the trained field workers with cross-sectional survey at the hospitals in Anqing,Anhui Province,China. Epidemiological and clinical data and blood samples were obtained from 194 mother-neonate pairs. Among neonates,PON2 Ala148Ala homozygote is significantly associated with preterm,compared with Gly148Gly homozygote / Ala148Gly heterozygote before and after adjustment confounders and the same was true for PON2 Ser311Ser homozygote. However,when PON2148 polymorphism and PON2311 polymorphism were considered jointly,no significant gene interaction between PON2148 polymorphism and PON2311 polymorphism in relation to preterm was observed. We draw a conclusion from this research that both PON2148 polymorphism and PON2311 polymorphism in neonates are significantly associated with preterm respectively. But the gene interactions between PON2148 polymorphism and PON2311 polymorphism in neonates are not significantly associated with preterm.

[Association of CYP2E1 of PON2311 polymorphisms in neonates with preterm].

The objective is to investigate whether Rsa I polymorphism in the 5'-flanking region of CYP2E1 and PON2311 polymorphism in neonates are associated with preterm. Using standard questionnaires, 194 singleton live born mother-neonate pairs (including preterm cases and term controls) were investigated by the trained field workers with cross-sectional survey at the hospitals in Anqing, Anhui Province, China. Epidemiological and clinical data and blood samples were obtained from 194 mother-neonate pairs. CYP2E1 homozygous wild-type (cut/cut) is not associated with a shortened gestation among neonates, compared with CYP2E1 homozygous mutant-type (uncut/uncut)/CYP2E1 heterozygote (cut/uncut) before and after adjustment confounders. However, PON2 Ser311Ser homozygote is significantly associated with a shortened gestation among neonates. When Rsa I polymorphism in the 5'-flanking region of CYP2E1 and PON2311 polymorphism were considered jointly, a significant shortened gestation was observed among neonates with the combined genotype of CYP2E1 homozygous wild-type and PON2 Ser311Ser homozygote. In conclusion, Rsa I polymorphism in the 5'-flanking region of CYP2E1 in neonates is not associated with preterm, however, PON2311 polymorphism in neonates is significantly associated with preterm. Furthermore, the gene interaction between Rsa I polymorphism in the 5'-flanking region of CYP2E1 and PON2311 polymorphism in neonates is significantly associated with preterm.