bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
FAST HYBRID SHADING: AN APPLICATION OF FINITE ELEMENT METHODS IN 3D RENDERING
Authors: SINGH CHANDAN , WALIA EKTA
Published: November 2005

This paper is an attempt to improve the quality of Gouraud shading with minimum increase in the computation requirements. It presents algorithms for intermediate quality shading i.e. the quality of shading is better than Gouraud shading and nearly comparable to the quality of bi-quadratic Phong shading, at the same time, algorithms are very fast as compared to bi-quadratic Phong shading. Three algorithms are discussed. The first algorithm uses hybrid shading in which bi-quadratic interpolation of intensity is performed on the edges of a triangle and linear interpolation of intensity is performed on the scan line. Hybrid shading, in which bi-quadratic interpolation of normals is performed on the edges and linear interpolation of intensity is performed on the scan line, has been proposed in the second algorithm. In the third algorithm, bi-cubic interpolation of intensity is performed on the edges and linear interpolation of intensity is performed on the scan line. The paper also presents an incremental method for fast calculation of area coordinates and shape functions enhancing the speed of the algorithms.
PUSH THE BOTTLENECK OF STREAMING MEDIA SYSTEM FROM STREAMING MEDIA SERVER TO NETWORK
Authors: DENG YUHUI , WANG FRANK , ZHANG JIANGLING , FENG DAN , WANG FANG , JIANG HONG
Published: November 2005

Streaming media is pervasive on the Internet now and it continues to grow rapidly. Most streaming media systems have adopted a typical system architecture in which the storage devices are attached privately to the streaming media server. Unfortunately, with the steady growth of Internet subscribers, the streaming media server quickly becomes a system bottleneck. This paper proposes an innovative, high performance streaming media system architecture (HPSMS) based on the logical separation in the streaming media transport protocol. The architecture avoids expensive store-and-forward data copying between the streaming media server and storage devices. The most salient feature of HPSMS is that the architecture eliminates the streaming media server bottleneck, while dynamically increasing system bandwidth with the expansion of storage system capacity. The system performance of the proposed HPSMS is evaluated through a prototype implementation.
Altered sleep regulation in leptin-deficient mice
Authors: Laposky Aaron D. , Shelton Jonathan , Bass Joseph , Dugovic Christine , Perrino Nicholas , Turek Fred W.
Published: November 2005

Recent epidemiological, clinical, and experimental studies have demonstrated important links between sleep duration and architecture, circadian rhythms, and metabolism, although the genetic pathways that interconnect these processes are not well understood. Leptin is a circulating hormone and major adiposity signal involved in long-term energy homeostasis. In this study, we tested the hypothesis that leptin deficiency leads to impairments in sleep-wake regulation. Male ob/ob mice, a genetic model of leptin deficiency, had significantly disrupted sleep architecture with an elevated number of arousals from sleep [wild-type (WT) mice, 108.2 ± 7.2 vs. ob/ob mice, 148.4 ± 4.5, P < 0.001] and increased stage shifts (WT, 519.1 ± 25.2 vs. ob/ob, 748.0 ± 38.8, P < 0.001) compared with WT mice. Ob/ob mice also had more frequent, but shorter-lasting sleep bouts compared with WT mice, indicating impaired sleep consolidation. Interestingly, ob/ob mice showed changes in sleep time, with increased amounts of 24-h non-rapid eye movement (NREM) sleep (WT, 601.5 ± 10.8 vs. ob/ob, 669.2 ± 13.4 min, P < 0.001). Ob/ob mice had overall lower body temperature (WT, 35.1 ± 0.2 vs. ob/ob, 33.4 ± 0.2°C, P < 0.001) and locomotor activity counts (WT, 25125 ± 2137 vs. ob/ob, 5219 ± 1759, P < 0.001). Ob/ob mice displayed an attenuated diurnal rhythm of sleep-wake stages, NREM delta power, and locomotor activity. Following sleep deprivation, ob/ob mice had smaller amounts of NREM and REM recovery sleep, both in terms of the magnitude and the duration of the recovery response. In combination, these results indicate that leptin deficiency disrupts the regulation of sleep architecture and diurnal rhythmicity.
Mortality and Morbidity Remain High Despite Captopril and/or Valsartan Therapy in Elderly Patients With Left Ventricular Systolic Dysfunction, Heart Failure, or Both After Acute Myocardial Infarction
Authors: White Harvey D. , Aylward Philip E.G. , Huang Zhen , Dalby Anthony J. , Weaver W. Douglas , Barvik Ståle , Marin-Neto José Antonio , Murin Jan , Nordlander Rolf O. , van Gilst Wiek H. , Zannad Faiez , McMurray John J.V. , Califf Robert M. , Pfeffer Marc A.
Published: November 2005

Background—

The elderly constitute an increasing proportion of acute myocardial infarction patients and have disproportionately high mortality and morbidity. Those with heart failure or impaired left ventricular left ventricular function after acute myocardial infarction have high complication and mortality rates. Little is known about outcomes with contemporary therapies in these patients.

Methods and Results—

The Valsartan in Acute Myocardial Infarction Trial (VALIANT) randomized 14 703 patients with heart failure and/or left ventricular ejection fraction <40% to receive captopril, valsartan, or both. Mortality and a composite end point, including cardiovascular mortality, readmission for heart failure, reinfarction, stroke, and resuscitated cardiac arrest, were compared for the age groups of <65 (n=6988), 65 to 74 (n=4555), 75 to 84 (n=2777), and ≥85 (n=383) years. With increasing age, 3-year mortality almost quadrupled (13.4%, 26.3%, 36.0%, and 52.1%, respectively), composite end-point events more than doubled (25.2%, 41.0%, 52.3%, and 66.8%), and hospital admissions for heart failure almost tripled (12.0%, 23.1%, 31.3%, and 35.4%). Outcomes did not differ between the 3 study treatments in any age group. Adverse events associated with captopril and valsartan were more common in the elderly and in patients receiving combination therapy. With increasing age, use of aspirin, β-blockers, and statins declined, and use of digoxin, calcium-channel blockers, and non–potassium-sparing diuretics increased. On 3-year multivariable analysis, each 10-year age increase was associated with a hazard ratio of 1.49 (95% CI, 1.426 to 1.557;
P
<0.0001) for mortality and an odds ratio of 1.38 (95% CI, 1.31 to 1.46;
P
<0.0001) for readmission with heart failure.

Conclusions—

Outcomes remained poor in elderly patients with heart failure and/or impaired left ventricular systolic function after acute myocardial infarction, although most received β-blockers and all received an ACE inhibitor and/or an angiotensin receptor blocker. Better therapies and increased use of aspirin, β-blockers, and statins are needed in this important and increasing patient group.
Simultaneous Rate-Synchrony Codes in Populations of Spiking Neurons
Authors: Masuda Naoki
Published: November 2005

Firing rates and synchronous firing are often simultaneously relevant signals, and they independently or cooperatively represent external sensory inputs, cognitive events, and environmental situations such as body position. However, how rates and synchrony comodulate and which aspects of inputs are effectively encoded, particularly in the presence of dynamical inputs, are unanswered questions. We examine theoretically how mixed information in dynamic mean input and noise input is represented by dynamic population firing rates and synchrony. In a subthreshold regime, amplitudes of spatially uncorrelated noise are encoded up to a fairly high input frequency, but this requires both rate and synchrony output channels. In a suprathreshold regime, means and common noise amplitudes can be simultaneously and separately encoded by rates and synchrony, respectively, but the input frequency for which this is possible has a lower limit.
Exploring Latent Structure of Mixture ICA Models by the Minimum β-Divergence Method
Authors: Mollah Md. Nurul Haque , Minami Mihoko , Eguchi Shinto
Published: November 2005

Independent component analysis (ICA) attempts to extract original independent signals (source components) that are linearly mixed in a basic framework. This letter discusses a learning algorithm for the separation of different source classes in which the observed data follow a mixture of several ICA models, where each model is described by a linear combination of independent and nongaussian sources. The proposed method is based on a sequential application of the minimum β-divergence method to separate all source classes sequentially. The proposed method searches the recovering matrix of each class on the basis of a rule of sequential change of the shifting parameter. If the initial choice of the shifting parameter vector is close to the mean of a data class, then all of the hidden sources belonging to that class are recovered properly with independent and nongaussian structure considering the data in other classes as outliers. The value of the tuning parameter β is a key in the performance of the proposed method. A cross-validation technique is proposed as an adaptive selection procedure for the tuning parameter β for this algorithm, together with applications for both real and synthetic data analysis.
An Adaptive Method for Subband Decomposition ICA
Authors: Zhang Kun , Chan Lai-Wan
Published: November 2005

Subband decomposition ICA (SDICA), an extension of ICA, assumes that each source is represented as the sum of some independent subcomponents and dependent subcomponents, which have different frequency bands. In this article, we first investigate the feasibility of separating the SDICA mixture in an adaptive manner. Second, we develop an adaptive method for SDICA, namely band-selective ICA (BS-ICA), which finds the mixing matrix and the estimate of the source independent subcomponents. This method is based on the minimization of the mutual information between outputs. Some practical issues are discussed. For better applicability, a scheme to avoid the high-dimensional score function difference is given. Third, we investigate one form of the overcomplete ICA problems with sources having specific frequency characteristics, which BS-ICA can also be used to solve. Experimental results illustrate the success of the proposed method for solving both SDICA and the over-complete ICA problems.
A New Method for Detection of Cirrus Overlapping Water Clouds and Determination of Their Optical Properties
Authors: Chang Fu-Lung , Li Zhanqing
Published: November 2005

The frequent occurrence of high cirrus overlapping low water cloud poses a major challenge in retrieving their optical properties from spaceborne sensors. This paper presents a novel retrieval method that takes full advantage of the satellite data from the Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS). The main objectives are identification of overlapped high cirrus and low water clouds and determination of their individual optical depths, top heights, and emissivities. The overlapped high cloud top is determined from the MODIS CO2-slicing retrieval and the underlying low cloud top is determined from the neighboring MODIS pixels that are identified as single-layer low clouds. The algorithm applies a dual-layer cloud radiative transfer model using initial cloud properties derived from the MODIS CO2-slicing channels and the visible (0.65 μm) and infrared (11 μm) window channels. An automated iterative procedure follows by adjusting the high cirrus and low water cloud optical depths until computed radiances from the dual-layer model match with observed radiances from both the visible and infrared channels. The algorithm is valid for both single-layer and dual-layer clouds with the cirrus optical depth <∼4 (emissivity <∼0.85). For more than two-layer clouds, its validity depends on the thickness of the upper-layer cloud. A preliminary validation is conducted by comparing against ground-based active remote sensing data. Pixel-by-pixel retrievals and error analyses are presented. It is demonstrated that retrievals based on a single-layer assumption can result in systematic biases in the retrieved cloud top and optical properties for overlapped clouds. Such biases can be removed or lessened considerably by applying the new algorithm.
Recent Advances in the Diagnosis and Treatment of Hypereosinophilic Syndromes
Authors: Klion Amy D.
Published: November 2005

Hypereosinophilic syndromes (HES) are a heterogeneous group of disorders characterized by marked peripheral blood and tissue eosinophilia resulting in end organ damage. Recent advances in molecular biology and immunology have led to the identification of a number of distinct subtypes of HES with differing epidemiology, pathogenesis, and prognosis. The ability to distinguish between these HES subtypes combined with the availability of new treatment modalities, including tyrosine kinase inhibitors and monoclonal antibodies, that target specific molecules involved in disease pathogenesis have dramatically altered the approach to the diagnosis and treatment of HES.
Solitary Bone and Extramedullary Plasmacytoma
Authors: Weber Donna M.
Published: November 2005

Less than 5% of patients with a plasma cell dyscrasia present with a single bone (SBP) or extramedullary plasmacytoma (EMP) without evidence of systemic disease (normocalcemia, absence of anemia, preservation of uninvolved immunoglobulins, or renal disease attributable to myeloma). Diagnosis requires biopsy confirmation of a monoclonal plasma cell infiltrate from a single site. The treatment of choice for both entities is radiotherapy given with curative intent (> 4000 cGy) resulting in long term disease-free survival in approximately 30% of patients with SBP and 65% of patients with EMP.
Pathogenesis of Atherosclerosis
Authors: Crowther Mark A.
Published: November 2005

Atherosclerosis is no longer considered a disorder due to abnormalities in lipid metabolism. In fact, the inciting event of atherosclerosis is likely an inflammatory insult that occurs decades before the disease becomes clinically apparent. Rapidly evolving knowledge of the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis, coupled with novel, target-specific therapies, is revolutionizing the treatment of atherosclerosis. As a result, a variety of treatments are now undergoing evaluation for their ability to ameliorate the inflammatory pathways likely to cause the atherosclerotic process to initiate and propagate. Once initiated, atherosclerosis progresses as a result of a well-studied series of changes in the constituent cellular make-up of the vessel wall. Specific cytokine-mediated events in this cycle are required for lesional growth. The clinical manifestations of atherosclerosis occur so late in this process that interventions such as percutaneous coronary interventions can deal with isolated areas of disease; however, they do not influence the underlying disease process.
Considerations for Adult Cancer Survivors
Authors: Tichelli André , Socié Gérard
Published: November 2005

With improvements in outcome, increased numbers of adult cancer patients survive free of their primary malignancy. Today, about 60% of adult patients diagnosed with cancer will survive 5 years after diagnosis. Therefore, immediate survival is no longer the sole concern. The aim of the cancer treatment now is to cure a patient’s underlying disease and, at the same time, to minimize the incidence of post-treatment complications and ensure the best possible long term quality of life. The long time span between initial therapy and late effects, the multiple factors influencing cancer-related health risk and the unknown effect of treatment on normal aging are common characteristics of late effects. While the treatment strategy for a cancer patient depends widely on the type and extension of the disease, considerations for a long-term survivor depend much more on the type of treatment applied, age of the patient, and the patient’s general health status as well as his or her familial and social integration. We discuss, based on the most recent knowledge, some typical examples of late effects in cancer survivors and the practical recommendations that could assist practitioner and patient decision about appropriate healthcare for specific clinical circumstances.
An Evidence-Based Approach to the Treatment of Adults with Sickle Cell Disease
Authors: Lottenberg Richard , Hassell Kathryn L.
Published: November 2005

The application of evidence-based medicine to the management of adults with sickle cell disease (SCD) is currently primarily driven by clinical expertise and patient preference, as there is a paucity of randomized controlled trial (RCT) data to guide decision-making. A summary of SCD management principles in the areas of health care maintenance, transfusion therapy, treatment and prevention of painful episodes, acute chest syndrome, stroke, renal disease, contraception and pregnancy, and priapism is predominantly based on the authors’ interpretation of available observational studies as well as the opinions of experts in SCD. RCTs impacting current practices address use of hydroxyurea to prevent painful episodes and acute chest syndrome, intensity of pre-operative transfusion, transfusion during pregnancy, and angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor therapy for proteinuria, but most issues in adult SCD care have not been rigorously studied and management may not be appropriately extrapolated from pediatric data. While challenging clinical problems need to be addressed by RCTs, there is also the need for development of practice guidelines using formal methodological strategies. This brief review is not a substitute for the process but provides a literature-based approach to making treatment decisions when caring for adults with SCD.
The Enhancer of split and Achaete-Scute complexes of Drosophilids derived from simple ur-complexes preserved in mosquito and honeybee
Authors: Schlatter Rebekka , Maier Dieter
Published: November 2005

Background

In Drosophila melanogaster the Enhancer of split-Complex [E(spl)-C] consists of seven highly related genes encoding basic helix-loop-helix (bHLH) repressors and intermingled, four genes that belong to the Bearded (Brd) family. Both gene classes are targets of the Notch signalling pathway. The Achaete-Scute-Complex [AS-C] comprises four genes encoding bHLH activators. The question arose how these complexes evolved with regard to gene number in the evolution of insects concentrating on Diptera and the Hymenoptera Apis mellifera.

Results

In Drosophilids both gene complexes are highly conserved, spanning roughly 40 million years of evolution. However, in species more diverged like Anopheles or Apis we find dramatic differences. Here, the E(spl)-C consists of one bHLH (mβ) and one Brd family member (mα) in a head to head arrangement. Interestingly in Apis but not in Anopheles, there are two more E(spl) bHLH like genes within 250 kb, which may reflect duplication events in the honeybee that occurred independently of that in Diptera. The AS-C may have arisen from a single sc/l'sc like gene which is well conserved in Apis and Anopheles and a second ase like gene that is highly diverged, however, located within 50 kb.

Conclusion

E(spl)-C and AS-C presumably evolved by gene duplication to the nowadays complex composition in Drosophilids in order to govern the accurate expression patterns typical for these highly evolved insects. The ancestral ur-complexes, however, consisted most likely of just two genes: E(spl)-C contains one bHLH member of mβ type and one Brd family member of mα type and AS-C contains one sc/l'sc and a highly diverged ase like gene.
Office bladder distention with Electromotive Drug Administration (EMDA) is equivalent to distention under General Anesthesia (GA)
Authors: Rose Amy E , Azevedo Kathryn J , Payne Christopher K
Published: November 2005

Background

Bladder distention is commonly used in diagnosis and treatment of interstitial cystitis (IC). Traditionally performed in the operating room under general or spinal anesthesia (GA), it is expensive and associated with short term morbidity. Office bladder distention using electromotive drug administration (EMDA) has been suggested as an alternative that is well tolerated by patients. We report the first comparative findings of patients undergoing both office distention with EMDA and distention in the operating room (OR) with GA.

Methods

This retrospective chart review identified 11 patients participating in two protocols of EMDA bladder distention who also underwent bladder distention under GA either prior to or after the EMDA procedure.

Results

The median absolute difference in bladder capacity between GA and EMDA was only 25 cc; the median percent difference was 5%. Cystoscopic findings, while not prospectively compiled, appear to have been similar.

Conclusion

This study represents the first comparison between distention with EMDA versus GA and confirms the technical feasibility of performing bladder distention in an office setting. The distention capacity achieved in the office was nearly identical to that in the OR and the cystoscopic findings very similar. Further investigation into the comparative morbidity, cost, and other outcome measures is warranted to define the ultimate role of EMDA bladder distention in the clinical evaluation and care of patients with IC.
A systematic review of existing national priorities for child health research in sub-Saharan Africa
Authors: Swingler George H , Irlam James H , Macharia William M , Tietche Félix , Meremikwu Martin M
Published: November 2005

Background

We systematically reviewed existing national child health research priorities in Sub-Saharan Africa, and the processes used to determine them.

Methods

Collaborators from a purposive sample of 20 WHO-AFRO Region countries, assisted by key informants from a range of governmental, non-governmental, research and funding organisations and universities, identified and located potentially eligible prioritisation documents. Included documents were those published between 1990 and 2002 from national or nationally accredited institutions describing national health research priorities for child health, alone or as part of a broader report in which children were a clearly identifiable group. Laboratory, clinical, public health and policy research were included. Two reviewers independently assessed eligibility for inclusion and extracted data.

Results

Eight of 33 potentially eligible reports were included. Five reports focused on limited areas of child health. The remaining three included child-specific categories in reports of general research priorities, with two such child-specific categories limited to reproductive health. In a secondary analysis of Essential National Health Research reports that included children, though not necessarily as an identifiable group, the reporting of priorities varied markedly in format and numbers of priorities listed, despite a standard recommended approach. Comparison and synthesis of reported priorities was not possible.

Conclusion

Few systematically developed national research priorities for child health exist in sub-Saharan Africa. Children's interests may be distorted in prioritisation processes that combine all age groups. Future development of priorities requires a common reporting framework and specific consideration of childhood priorities.
Genetic mechanisms of knee osteoarthritis: a population-based longitudinal study
Authors: Ding Changhai , Cicuttini Flavia , Blizzard Leigh , Jones Graeme
Published: November 2005

To describe the differences in knee structure and non-knee structural factors between offspring having at least one parent with a total knee replacement for severe primary knee osteoarthritis and age- and sex-matched controls with no family history of knee osteoarthritis, a population-based longitudinal study of 163 matched pairs (mean age 45 years, range 26 to 61) was performed at baseline and about 2 years later. Knee cartilage defect score (0 to 4), cartilage volume and bone size were determined with T1-weighted fat saturation magnetic resonance imaging. Body mass index (BMI), lower-limb muscle strength, knee pain, physical work capacity at 170 beats/minute (PWC170) and radiographic osteoarthritis were measured by standard protocols. In comparison with controls, offspring had higher annual knee cartilage loss (-3.1% versus -2.0% at medial tibial site, -1.9% versus -1.1% at lateral tibial site and -4.7% versus -3.7% at patellar site, all P < 0.05), a greater increase in medial cartilage defect score (+0.15 versus -0.01, P < 0.05) and a greater decline in PWC170 (-0.7 watts/kg versus -0.4 watts/kg, P < 0.01). There were no significant differences in change in BMI, lower-limb muscle strength, knee pain or tibial bone area between these two groups; however, the differences in knee cartilage loss and cartilage defect change decreased in magnitude and became non-significant after adjustment for baseline cartilage volume, tibial bone area, BMI and knee pain. This longitudinal study suggests that knee cartilage loss, change in cartilage defects and decrease in physical fitness all have roles in the development of knee osteoarthritis, which is most probably polygenic but may reflect a shared environment. Importantly, the cartilage changes are largely dependent on baseline differences in cartilage volume, tibial bone area, BMI and knee pain, suggesting that these factors might have a role in their initiation.
A prospective study of XRCC1(X-ray cross-complementing group 1) polymorphisms and breast cancer risk
Authors: Patel Alpa V , Calle Eugenia E , Pavluck Alexandre L , Feigelson Heather Spencer , Thun Michael J , Rodriguez Carmen
Published: November 2005

Introduction

The gene XRCC1 (X-ray repair cross-complementing group 1) encodes a protein involved in DNA base excision repair. Two non-synonymous polymorphisms in XRCC1 (Arg194Trp and Arg399Gln) have been shown to alter DNA repair capacity in some studies in vitro. However, results of previous association studies of these two XRCC1 variants and breast cancer have been inconsistent. We examined the association between polymorphisms in XRCC1 and breast cancer in the American Cancer Society Cancer Prevention Study II (CPS-II) Nutrition Cohort, a large prospective study of cancer incidence in the USA.

Methods

Among the 21,965 women who were cancer-free in 1992 and gave blood between 1998 and 2001, 502 postmenopausal breast cancer cases were diagnosed between 1992 and 2001; 502 controls were matched to cases on age, race/ethnicity, and date of blood collection. Genotyping on DNA extracted from buffy coat was performed with Taqman. Conditional logistic regression was used to examine the association between each polymorphism and breast cancer risk controlling for breast cancer risk factors. We also examined whether factors associated with DNA damage, such as smoking and antioxidant intake, modified the association between XRCC1 polymorphisms and breast cancer.

Results

We observed a significant inverse association between Trp194 carriers (Trp/Trp and Trp/Arg) compared with Trp194 non-carriers in relation to breast cancer (Arg/Arg) (odds ratio (OR) 0.62, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.40 to 0.95). The inverse association between breast cancer and Trp194 carriers compared with non-carriers was slightly stronger among smokers (OR 0.47, 95% CI 0.24 to 0.94) than never smokers (OR 0.78, 95% CI 0.43 to 1.40). An increased risk associated with the Arg399Gln polymorphism (Gln/Gln versus Arg/Arg) was observed only among women who reported ever smoking cigarettes (OR 2.76, 95% CI 1.36 to 5.63), and not in women who were lifelong non-smokers (OR 0.64, 95% CI 0.33 to 1.26). No other factor examined modified the association between XRCC1 polymorphisms and breast cancer risk.

Conclusion

Our results support the hypothesis that genetic variation in XRCC1, particularly in Arg194Trp, may influence postmenopausal breast cancer risk. In our study, genetic variation in XRCC1 Arg399Gln was associated with breast cancer risk only among women with a history of smoking cigarettes.
The genomic response to 20-hydroxyecdysone at the onset of Drosophila metamorphosis
Authors: Beckstead Robert B , Lam Geanette , Thummel Carl S
Published: November 2005

Background

The steroid hormone 20-hydroxyecdysone (20E) triggers the major developmental transitions in Drosophila, including molting and metamorphosis, and provides a model system for defining the developmental and molecular mechanisms of steroid signaling. 20E acts via a heterodimer of two nuclear receptors, the ecdysone receptor (EcR) and Ultraspiracle, to directly regulate target gene transcription.

Results

Here we identify the genomic transcriptional response to 20E as well as those genes that are dependent on EcR for their proper regulation. We show that genes regulated by 20E, and dependent on EcR, account for many transcripts that are significantly up- or downregulated at puparium formation. We provide evidence that 20E and EcR participate in the regulation of genes involved in metabolism, stress, and immunity at the onset of metamorphosis. We also present an initial characterization of a 20E primary-response regulatory gene identified in this study, brain tumor (brat), showing that brat mutations lead to defects during metamorphosis and changes in the expression of key 20E-regulated genes.

Conclusion

This study provides a genome-wide basis for understanding how 20E and its receptor control metamorphosis, as well as a foundation for functional genomic analysis of key regulatory genes in the 20E signaling pathway during insect development.
Complement regulatory protein Crry/p65-mediated signaling in T lymphocytes: role of its cytoplasmic domain and partitioning into lipid rafts
Authors: Jiménez-Periañez Arturo , Ojeda Gloria , Criado Gabriel , Sánchez Alejandra , Pini Eliana , Madrenas Joaquín , Rojo Jose Maria , Portolés Pilar
Published: November 2005

Crry/p65 is a type I glycoprotein, which protects mouse T cells from complement attack. We have previously shown that complement receptor I-related protein Crry/p65 (Crry) ligation has a costimulatory effect on mouse CD4+ T cell activation. Here, we have examined the mechanisms responsible for Crry costimulation, addressing the question of whether Crry potentiates signal transduction starting at the T cell receptor (TCR)/CD3 complex or promotes distinct costimulatory signals. We show that Crry increases early TCR-dependent activation signals, including p56lck-, ζ-associated protein-70 (ZAP-70), Vav-1, Akt, and extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) phosphorylation but also costimulation-dependent mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPK), such as the stress-activated c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK). It is intriguing that Crry costimulus enhanced p38 MAPK activation in T helper cell type 1 (Th1) but not in Th2 cells. A fraction of Crry is found consistently in the detergent-insoluble membrane fraction of Th1 or Th2 cells or CD4+ lymphoblasts. Crry costimulation induced clustering of lipid rafts, increasing their content in Crry, CD3ɛ, and p59-60 forms of p56lck, and caused actin polymerization close to the site of activation in Th2 cells. Such events were inhibited by wortmannin, suggesting a role for phosphatidylinositol-3 kinase in these effects. The Crry cytoplasmic domain was required for JNK activation and interleukin-4 secretion but not for the presence of Crry in rafts or activation of p56lck, ZAP-70, Akt, Vav-1, or ERK. This suggests that Crry costimulation involves two different but not mutually exclusive signal transduction modules. The dual function of Crry as a complement regulatory protein and as a T cell costimulator illustrates the importance of complement regulatory proteins as links between innate and adaptive immunity.
Velocity estimation by the common-reflection-surface (CRS) method: Using ground-penetrating radar data
Authors: Perroud Hervé , Tygel Martin
Published: November 2005

In this paper, we describe the use of the common-reflection-surface (CRS) method to estimate velocities from ground-penetrating radar (GPR) data. Applied to multicoverage data, the CRS method provides, as one of its outputs, the time-domain rms velocity map, which is then converted to depth by the familiar Dix algorithm. Combination of the obtained depth-converted velocity map with electrical resistivity in-situ measurements enables us to estimate both water content and water conductivity. These quantities are essential to delineate infiltration of contaminants from the surface after industrial or agricultural activities. The method was applied to GPR data and compared with the classical NMO approach. The results show that the CRS method provides a physically more meaningful velocity field, thus improving the potential of GPR as an investigation tool for environmental studies.
Transient radiation from an unloaded, finite dipole antenna in a borehole: Experimental and numerical results
Authors: Liu Sixin , Sato Motoyuki
Published: November 2005

Dipole antennas in boreholes are used for tomographic imaging or electromagnetic well logging. A cylindrically layered structure within the borehole will change the radiation characteristics of a dipole antenna. Our objective is to understand the effects of the borehole structure upon the impedance, waveform distortion, and directivity patterns of a dipole antenna. We use a finite-difference, time-domain (FDTD) technique to simulate borehole-antenna radiation, while the geometry of both the dipole and the borehole are modeled with a subgrid technique. The simulated input impedances are verified by experimental results. Both the water-filled and the air-filled boreholes distort the radiated wavefronts, waveforms, and resonant frequencies relative to the same characteristics of a dipole in homogeneous media. A water-filled borehole lowers the first resonant frequency, while an air-filled borehole raises it. At high frequencies, the antenna in the water-filled borehole exhibits radiation side lobes. The borehole effects for water- and air-filled boreholes differ and should not be neglected for borehole antenna design.
Rock-physics developments in seismic exploration: A personal 50-year perspective
Authors: King Michael S.
Published: November 2005

I present an historical overview of the major developments in rock physics over the past half-century. Key developments are described for both modeling and laboratory experiments and how they have been applied in seismic exploration, reservoir characterization, and monitoring. In particular, I chronicle the development of laboratory methods for determining the velocity and attenuation of elastic waves in rock samples at sonic and ultrasonic frequencies. This is followed by a description of the validity of theories originally developed by Gassmann and Biot in the 1950s and employed for describing the propagation of elastic waves in fluid-saturated porous media. I outline problems and solutions in the use of ultrasonic measurements to predict velocities and attenuation at seismic frequencies. Field and laboratory studies are described in which a range of frequencies — seismic through sonic and ultrasonic — was covered and successfully modeled. I describe procedures developed during the 1950s and 1960s for interpreting laboratory measurements in terms of pore structure and degree of saturation, based on self-consistent and scattering theories. Laboratory equipment used for determining the elastic properties of anisotropic materials is described along with a discussion of the results obtained, including the correlation between both fluid permeability and prediction of in situ state of stress with the degree of shear-wave splitting. Finally, I discuss the application of rock-physics developments to reservoir characterization and monitoring, in particular to time-lapse seismic monitoring.
Natural field induced polarization for mapping of deep mineral deposits: A field example from Arizona
Authors: Gasperikova Erika , Cuevas Nestor H. , Frank Morrison H.
Published: November 2005

A field example of the natural field induced polarization (NFIP) method over a known deep induced polarization (IP) target in Arizona corroborates NFIP's excellent potential as a commercial survey technique for the mineral industry. Data processing and interpretation were successful in extracting the response of the IP target from the natural field signals in the presence of a conductive surface layer. The location of the interpreted IP target correlated well with interpretations from an earlier IP/resistivity dipole-dipole survey. The imaginary component of the ratio of electric field measured along the profile normalized by the electric field at a reference site becomes nonzero over the position of an IP target. The complex ratio of the profiling dipole electric field and fixed-reference-dipole electric field, plotted as a function of frequency and dipole location, is a simple and robust procedure for recovering the IP effect. The NFIP method eliminates the expense and energy requirements of deploying large transmitters and is sensitive to deeper structures (structures that are difficult to resolve using traditional methods). Thus, this method is a valuable mapping tool for identification of IP targets.
First-order ray tracing for qP waves in inhomogeneous, weakly anisotropic media
Authors: Pšenčík Ivan , Farra Véronique
Published: November 2005

We propose approximate ray-tracing equations for qP-waves propagating in smooth, inhomogeneous, weakly anisotropic media. For their derivation, we use perturbation theory, in which deviations of anisotropy from isotropy are considered to be the first-order quantities. The proposed ray-tracing equations and corresponding traveltimes are of the first order. Accuracy of the traveltimes can be increased by calculating a secondorder correction along first-order rays.

The first-order ray-tracing equations for qP-waves propagating in a general weakly anisotropic medium depend on only 15 weak-anisotropy parameters (generalization of Thomsen’s parameters). The equations are thus considerably simpler than the exact ray-tracing equations. For higher-symmetry anisotropic media the equations differ only slightly from equations for isotropic media. They can thus substitute for the traditional isotropic ray tracers used in seismic processing. For vanishing anisotropy, the first-order ray-tracing equations reduce to standard, exact ray-tracing equations for isotropic media. Numerical tests for configuration and models used in seismic prospecting indicate negligible dependence of accuracy of calculated traveltimes on inhomogeneity of the medium. For anisotropy of about 8%, considered in the examples presented, the relative errors of the traveltimes, including the second-order correction, are well under 0.05%; for anisotropy of about 20%, they do not exceed 0.3%.
Wide-angle seismic imaging of the Elberton granite, Georgia: A pilot study using instantaneous blasts at dimension-stone quarries
Authors: Khalifa Mohamed O. , Hawman Robert B.
Published: November 2005

Wide-angle recordings of small, multiple-hole blasts at dimension-stone quarries in the Elberton granite show coherent reflections at offsets between 7 and 15 km. In contrast with much larger blasts at crushed-stone quarries, this type of blast is fired without delays between holes. The data were recorded with an array of twenty portable seismographs using three-component, 4.5-Hz geophones. Migration of source gathers for two of the blasts shows a number of subhorizontal interfaces at depths between 2 and 4 km that may represent a layered complex near the base of the granite. Other reflectors include southeast-dipping interfaces at depths between 6 and 9.3 km and a more gently southeast-dipping complex at 9.5–11 km that may represent the master decollement. The results of the pilot study show that this type of quarry blast can be useful for imaging structure within the upper crust. Although preliminary, the wide-angle results support the interpretation that the Elberton granite is a tabular body less than 4 km thick.
Magneto-gravity response function and its application to the Daito Ridge, GEOPHYSICS, 67, 110–116
Authors: Ueda Yoshio , Kubota Ryuji , Segawa Jiro
Published: November 2005

To “Magneto-gravity response function and its application to the Daito Ridge,” Yoshio Ueda, Ryuji Kubota, and Jiro Segawa, GEOPHYSICS, 67, 110–116.
Insurance Status and the Use of Guideline Therapy in the Treatment of Selected Cancers
Authors: Harlan Linda C. , Greene Amanda L. , Clegg Limin X. , Mooney Margaret , Stevens Jennifer L. , Brown Martin L.
Published: November 2005

Purpose

This study estimates the impact of type of insurance coverage on the receipt of guideline therapy in a population-based sample of cancer patients treated in the community.

Patients and Methods

Patients (n = 7,134) from the National Cancer Institute's Patterns of Care studies who were newly diagnosed with 11 different types of cancer were analyzed. The definition of guideline therapy was based on the National Comprehensive Cancer Network treatment recommendations. Insurance status was categorized as a mutually exclusive hierarchical variable (no insurance, any private insurance, any Medicaid, Medicare only, and all other). Multivariate analyses were used to examine the association between insurance and receipt of guideline therapy.

Results

Adjusting for clinical and nonclinical variables, insurance status was a modest, although statistically significant, determinant of receipt of guideline therapy, with 65% of the privately insured patients receiving recommended therapy compared with 60% of patients with Medicaid. Seventy percent of the uninsured patients received guideline therapy, which was nonsignificantly different compared with private insurance. When stratified by race, insurance was a statistically significant predictor of the receipt of guideline therapy only for non-Hispanic blacks.

Conclusion

Overall, levels of guideline treatment were lower than expected and particularly low for patients with Medicaid or Medicare only. The use of guideline therapy for ovarian and cervical cancer patients and for patients with rectal cancers was unrelated to type of insurance. Of particular concern is the significantly lower use of guideline therapy for non-Hispanic black patients with Medicaid. After adjusting for other factors, only half of these patients received guideline therapy.
A base-specific recognition signal in the 5′ consensus sequence of rotavirus plus-strand RNAs promotes replication of the double-stranded RNA genome segments
Authors: TORTORICI M. ALEJANDRA , SHAPIRO BRUCE A. , PATTON JOHN T.
Published: November 2005

Replication of the segmented double-stranded (ds)RNA genome of rotavirus requires the viral RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RdRP) to use 11 different (+)RNAs as templates for (−) strand synthesis. Complementary sequences proximal to the 5′ and 3′ termini are predicted to direct cyclization of the (+)RNAs by forming panhandle structures from which short highly conserved terminal sequences protrude as single-stranded tails. Cell-free replication assays indicate that such structural organization of the 5′- and 3′-ends is required for efficient dsRNA synthesis. Multiple specifically recognized elements exist at the 3′-end that promote dsRNA synthesis including RdRP-recruitment signals and a (−) strand initiation sequence. In contrast to the 3′-end, the role of the 5′-end has been less well defined. In this study, we determined that the 5′-end contains a base-specific recognition signal that plays an important role in the assembly of the RdRP and cofactors into a stable initiation complex for (−) strand synthesis. The 5′ recognition signal is associated with the G2 residue of the 5′-consensus sequence, a residue that shows absolute conservation among all rotavirus groups (A, B, and C) examined to date. From our results, we suggest that rotavirus (+)RNA cyclization, although likely initiated by 5′- 3′ nucleotide complementarity, may be stabilized by RdRP-dependent bridging. Given that synthesis of the (−) strand on the (+)RNA template will disrupt 5′–3′ nucleotide interactions, RdRP-dependent bridging may be the sole mechanism by which the dsRNA product can be held in the necessary cyclized conformation required for efficient multiple rounds of transcription.
A Supply Chain Model with Reverse Information Exchange
Authors: Jain Apurva , Moinzadeh Kamran
Published: November 2005

We develop a model and analyze reverse information sharing, a growing business practice in supply chain management in which a manufacturer shares information about supply with a retailer. We model the manufacturer as a production queue with finished goods warehouse, the retailer as an inventory location, and other customers as an external demand stream. In our model, the manufacturer allows the retailer access to inventory status at the warehouse. To take advantage of this new information, the retailer changes from a single-level base-stock policy to a two-level, state-dependent base-stock policy. We provide an exact method for computing performance and develop a procedure for evaluating optimal policy. We demonstrate the impact of the new policy on the manufacturer and other customers. Numerical computations lead to insights about the value of information to the retailer, and to guidelines for the manufacturer on sharing information.
Improved Base-Stock Approximations for Independent Stochastic Lead Times with Order Crossover
Authors: Bradley James R. , Robinson Lawrence W.
Published: November 2005

Order crossovers occur when replenishment orders arrive in a sequence that is different than the one in which they were placed. Order crossovers require that optimal reorder levels be set with regard to the inventory shortfall distribution rather than the lead-time demand distribution. Assuming periodic review and independent lead times, this paper suggests simple approximations of the shortfall distribution by showing that the variance of the number of orders outstanding is bounded above by the standard deviation of lead time divided by √3. Using this bound in a normal approximation improves significantly upon the common practice of basing policies on the lead-time demand distribution. A negative binomial approximation of the shortfall, based on its exact variance, offers even greater improvement, at the cost of some additional informational and computational requirements.
Safety Stock Positioning in Supply Chains with Stochastic Lead Times
Authors: Simchi-Levi David , Zhao Yao
Published: November 2005

We study the safety stock positioning problem in single-product multistage supply chains with tree network structures, where each stage controls its inventory using an installation continuous-time base-stock policy. External demands follow independent Poisson processes, and unsatisfied demands at each stage are fully backordered. The processing (e.g., production) cycle times and transportation lead times are assumed to be stochastic, sequential, and exogenously determined. We derive recursive equations for the backorder delays (because of stockout) at all stages in the supply chain. Based on the recursive equations, we characterize the dependencies of the backorder delays across different stages in the network, and develop insights into the impact of safety stock positioning in various supply chain topologies. We present approximations and algorithms to coordinate the base-stock levels in these supply chains, so as to minimize systemwide inventory cost subject to meeting certain service-level requirements of the external customers.