bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Aging stability of complete blood count and white blood cell differential parameters analyzed by Abbott CELL‐DYN Sapphire hematology analyzer
Authors: HEDBERG P. , LEHTO T.
Published: January 2009

This study presents the results of an aging stability study of complete blood count (CBC) and leukocyte differential parameters using the Abbott CELL‐DYN Sapphire hematology analyzer. Stability studies showed no substantial change in CBC parameters up to 24–48 h at +23 ± 2 °C (room temperature), except for optical platelet count (PLTo). For specimens aged over 24, the value of impedance platelet count yielded more reliable results than the routine PLTo. White blood cell (WBC) differential parameters, except eosinophils, were stable for up to 48 h at +23 ± 2 °C. CBC parameters were stable for 72 h, except mean platelet volume, which slightly increased between 48 and 72 h, at +4 °C. WBC differentials were stable 48–72 h, with a slight decrease observed in absolute neutrophils and lymphocytes at +4 °C.
Soluble syndecan‐1 (sCD138) as a prognostic factor independent of mutation status in patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia
Authors: JILANI I. , WEI C. , BEKELE B. N. , ZHANG Z. J. , KEATING M. , WIERDA W. , FERRAJOLI A. , ESTROV Z. , KANTARJIAN H. , O’BRIEN S. M. , GILES F. J. , ALBITAR M.
Published: January 2009

Syndecan‐1 (sCD138) is a transmembrane heparan sulfate‐bearing proteoglycan expressed in epithelial cells as well as hematopoietic cells that demonstrate plasmacytoid differentiation. Higher levels of sCD138 correlate with poor outcome in myeloma. We examined the association of circulating sCD138 levels in plasma with clinical behavior in 104 patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia. sCD138 levels were significantly higher in patients (median, 52.8 ng/ml; range, 13.4–252.7 ng/ml) than in healthy control subjects (median, 19.86; range, 14.49–33.14 ng/ml) (P < 0.01). Elevated sCD138 (>median, 52.8 ng/ml) was associated with significantly shorter survival (P = 0.0004); this association was independent of IgVH mutation status, β2‐microglobulin (β2‐M) level, and treatment history. Patients with mutated IgVH but high sCD138 levels (>52.8 ng/ml) had significantly shorter survival than those with mutated IgVH and lower levels of sCD138. Similarly, patients with unmutated IgVH but high sCD138 levels had significantly shorter survival than those with lower sCD138 levels and unmutated IgVH (P = 0.007). In a multivariate Cox regression model, only Rai stage, β2‐M, and sCD138 remained predictors of survival. These data suggest that sCD138 when combined with β2‐M and Rai stage, may replace the need for testing IgVH mutation status.
Sodium valproate in combination with ganciclovir induces lysis of EBV‐infected lymphoma cells without impairing EBV‐specific T‐cell immunity
Authors: JONES K. , NOURSE J. , CORBETT G. , GANDHI M. K.
Published: January 2009

Histone deacytelase inhibitiors (HDACi) represent a new class of anti‐lymphoma therapeutics. Data in the clinical setting regarding on‐ and off‐target effects of these agents are limited. Epstein–Barr virus (EBV)‐positive lymphomas represent a highly defined system in which to make these observations. We present a case of a patient with multiple relapsed EBV‐positive Diffuse Large B‐cell Lymphoma that was chemo‐refractory to anthracylcines, alkylating agents and rituximab. Treatment was commenced with the HDACi sodium valproate (VPA) in combination with the anti‐viral nucleoside analogue ganciclovir (GCV). Therapy resulted in detectable cell‐free unencapsulated circulating EBV‐DNA providing supportive evidence for the first‐time that lysis of virus infected lymphoma cells is induced using this therapeutic combination. EBV‐specific CD8+ effector T‐cell immunity was not impaired by VPA/GCV. Although GCV/VPA was insufficient to induce clinical remission, our data furthers the rationale that more potent HDAC inhibitors such as butyrate or gemcitabine together with GCV, perhaps in combination with chemotherapy, should be further investigated as therapy in relapsed/refractory EBV‐positive lymphomas.
Can Oral Health‐Related Quality of Life Measures Substitute for Normative Needs Assessments in 11 to 12‐year‐old Children?
Authors: Tsakos Georgios , Gherunpong Sudaduang , Sheiham Aubrey
Published: January 2009

Objectives:1) assess the relationship between a measure of condition‐specific oral health‐related quality of life (OHRQoL) and the related normative need for dental treatments, and 2) test the diagnostic validity of the condition‐specific OHRQoL measure for specific dental conditions in a group of primary school children. Methods:A cross‐sectional study of all 11 to 12 year‐olds carried out in a municipal area of Suphanburi province, Thailand. 1034 children (91.8%) were dentally examined to assess their normative needs for 6 types of treatment (dental caries, traumatic dental injuries, enamel defects, periodontal, orthodontic and prosthodontic treatment). OHRQoL was assessed using the Child‐OIDP index and its Condition‐Specific impacts measure for the 6 treatment types. Results:The prevalence of specific types of normative needs ranged from 3.2% (prosthodontic) to 97.0% (periodontal) and for Condition‐Specific oral impacts from 0.7% (prosthodontic) to 50.6% (dental caries). Despite their statistically significant relationship for every treatment type except for periodontal treatment when need was indicated by a CPI score of 1, there were large differences between measures of normative need and oral impacts. High proportions of children had normative need without impacts and vice versa. The biggest differences were for appearance‐related conditions (e.g. enamel defects and orthodontic treatment). For every type of treatment, oral impacts poorly predicted the normative needs of individuals. Conclusions:Although normative needs and OHRQoL are associated, when assessed appropriately, there was considerable discrepancy between them. OHRQoL measures cannot replace normative needs. Instead, both should be used in combination in order to cover different dimensions of oral health.
School Performance Indicators as Proxy Measures of School Dental Treatment Needs: A Feasibility Study
Authors: Muirhead Vanessa E. , Locker David
Published: January 2009

Objectives:This ecological study assessed the feasibility and predictive ability of readily available educational indicators as proxy measures of school dental treatment needs in York Region elementary school children, Canada. Method:Data sources included York Region Dental Health Unit dental screening data (2003–2004); area‐based income data from Statistics Canada (2001) based on school address postcodes; grade three and grade six school performance results in reading, writing mathematics and English as a second language (ESL) data (2003–2004) obtained from publicly accessible educational websites. Results:Data analyses included 219 schools. Pearson's correlations showed that schools with a higher percentage of children needing urgent dental treatment had significantly higher proportions of children scoring below provincial averages in all six school performance categories. Hierarchical stepwise multiple linear regression analysis showed that two school performance variables remained in the model after controlling for area‐based median family income and ESL variables: the percentage of grade six pupils scoring below the provincial average in writing and the percentage of grade 3 pupils scoring below the provincial average in reading. Conclusions:The study established the feasibility of using school‐level school performance indicators as proxy measures of school‐level dental treatment needs. School performance results were good predictors of urgent dental treatment in York Region elementary school children. Further studies are needed using data from other jurisdictions to determine the utility of educational indicators in oral health programs.
Oral Health, Related Behaviors and Oral Health Impacts Among Homeless Adults
Authors: Conte Michael , Broder Hillary L. , Jenkins George , Reed Rebecca , Janal Malvin N.
Published: January 2009

Objectives:To assess the oral health needs, related behavior and oral health impact among homeless persons in Newark, New Jersey. Methods:Participants represented a convenience sample of adults (n=46) participating in Homeless Services Day, an annual event sponsored by the Homeless Services Division of the Newark, NJ Department of Health and Human Services. Their mean age was 40.4 yr (SD=10.0), and 51.1% were female. The majority (76%) reported African‐American ethnicity; remaining participants self‐identified as Hispanic, White or Asian. Participants reported being homeless for a median of 11 months, with a range of 1 to 108 months. Results:The 46 participants had 745 teeth (averaged 16.2 per person) that were either missing, had fillings or had untreated decay. Diseased teeth averaged 3.8 per person; missing teeth averaged 8.6 per person; and filled teeth averaged 3.7 per person. Only 28.3% had a dental visit in the past year. Approximately 87% reported negative oral health impacts impact: over half (55.6%) had current oral facial pain and two‐thirds of our participants reported having dental‐related face pain during the past year. Additional oral health impacts included: eating (42%), smiling (33%), concentrating (18%) and talking (16%). Conclusions:Consistent with other studies, this homeless sample presented with considerable oral health needs. Newark's homeless, like other homeless cohorts, face access to care and negative oral health impacts. This study informs the need for future research that can provide substantive evidence for care providers and policy makers.
Specific Caries Index: A New System for Describing Untreated Dental Caries Experience in Developing Countries
Authors: Acharya Shashidhar
Published: January 2009

Objectives:To develop a reproducible surface‐specific caries index that provided qualitative and quantitative information about untreated dental caries, that could be used in conjunction with the DMFS index and would provide information on not only the caries prevalence but also the location and type of caries lesion in an individual based on clinical examination. Methods:Untreated carious lesions were divided into six types based on the location of the lesions.339 rural school children in the age group of 12–15 years were examined for dental caries using both the DMFS index and the Specific Caries Index. Results:Type 1 and 2 were found to be the most common type of caries lesions. The reproducibility of the Specific Caries Index was also found to be good. Conclusions:Encouraging indications about the validity and reproducibility of this new caries index was found, suggesting the need for further studies to test its applicability in larger and different populations.
Childhood Overweight and Orthodontists: Results of a Survey
Authors: Huang Jeannie S. , Becerra Karen , Walker Edward , Hovell Melbourne F.
Published: January 2009

Objectives:A survey among orthodontists to assess clinical procedures of overweight screening and nutrition intervention among youth was conducted. Methods:Orthodontists identified through professional society membership were invited to participate via email. The web‐based survey collected information regarding overweight screening, nutrition counseling, and referral habits. Results:91% of 111 respondents reported counseling children and families on nutrition recommendations. Referral of overweight youth to a dietitian or pediatrician was sporadic. Orthodontists who felt that overweight had a severe negative impact on dental health were more likely to screen patients for overweight and perform dietary counseling for all patients than orthodontists who felt the impact of overweight on dental health was less severe. Conclusions:Orthodontists report regularly engaging in dietary discussions with their pediatric patients and may serve as important clinical advocates for healthy dietary choices among youth. Overweight screening and referral practices among orthodontists to appropriate health professionals should be further evaluated as interventions for pediatric obesity.
Prevalence of preoperative anemia and hematinic deficiencies in patients scheduled for elective major orthopedic surgery
Authors: BISBE ELVIRA , CASTILLO JORGE , SÁEZ MONTSERRAT , SANTIVERI XAVIER , RUÍZ AINA , MUÑOZ MANUEL
Published: January 2009

Preoperative anemia is an independent risk factor for allogeneic blood transfusion in patients undergoing major orthopedic surgery (MOS) whereas hematinic deficiency can delay the recovery from postoperative anemia. Both conditions can, however, be corrected before elective procedures are undertaken. We therefore evaluated the prevalence of anemia and hematinic deficiencies in MOS patients. Demographic and laboratory data were gathered from all MOS patients from a single institution between January 2001 and December 2002. A total of 715 patients (483 women/232 men) entered the study. According to WHO criteria, the prevalence of anemia was 10.5% and increased with age, without gender‐related differences. Preoperative hemoglobin was < 13 g/dL in 19.4% of patients, and the prevalence of hematinic deficiencies was 33% for iron, 12.3% for vitamin B12 and 3% for folate. In anemic patients, there were 30.8% with hematinic deficiency anemia (20% with iron‐deficiency anemia), 30.8% with anemia of chronic disease and 38.4% with anemia of mixed or indeterminate cause. The prevalence of anemia, as well as of hematinic deficiencies, is high in MOS patients. Therefore, whenever possible, patients undergoing MOS should be assessed early enough to allow for proper investigation and treatment prior to the scheduled procedure.
Anemia, chronic renal disease and chronic heart failure: the cardiorenal anemia syndrome
Authors: SILVERBERG DONALD S. , WEXLER DOV , IAINA ADRIAN , SCHWARTZ DORON
Published: January 2009

The mortality and morbidity of congestive heart failure (CHF) have improved slightly over the years but are still very high. Many patients with CHF are anemic, which raises the question, ‘Could uncontrolled anemia be a cause?’ The anemia is associated with more severe CHF and higher mortality, hospitalization and morbidity rates. The only way to prove that anemia is causing this worsening of CHF is to correct it. We review here some of the published papers about correction of anemia. Many, but not all, show a positive effect of erythropoietin or its derivatives when coadministered with oral or intravenous (IV) iron, with improvements in left and right ventricular systolic and diastolic function, dilation, hypertrophy, renal function, New York Heart Association class, exercise capacity, oxygen utilization, caloric intake, quality of life, and the activity of endothelial progenitor cells. A reduction in hospitalizations, diuretic dose, pulmonary artery pressure, plasma volume, heart rate, serum brain natriuretic peptide levels, the inflammatory marker interleukin 6, and soluble Fas ligand (a mediator of apoptosis) were also observed. Iron deficiency may also play an important role in this anemia because improvement in CHF has been seen with IV iron treatment alone. We call the interaction between chronic renal failure, CHF and anemia the cardiorenal anemia syndrome. Each of these three elements causes or exacerbates the others, and their correction can prevent the progression of both renal and heart failure. However, until ongoing large placebo‐controlled studies on darbepoetin alpha or IV iron are completed, we will not know whether these treatments really influence the outcome of renal failure and CHF.
Effect of Calibration Method on Tekscan Sensor Accuracy
Authors: Brimacombe Jill M. , Wilson David R. , Hodgson Antony J. , Ho Karen C. T. , Anglin Carolyn
Published: January 2009

Tekscan pressure sensors are used in biomechanics research to measure joint contact loads. While the overall accuracy of these sensors has been reported previously, the effects of different calibration algorithms on sensor accuracy have not been compared. The objectives of this validation study were to determine the most appropriate calibration method supplied in the Tekscan program software and to compare its accuracy to the accuracy obtained with two user-defined calibration protocols. We evaluated the calibration accuracies for test loads within the low range, high range, and full range of the sensor. Our experimental setup used materials representing those found in standard prosthetic joints, i.e., metal against plastic. The Tekscan power calibration was the most accurate of the algorithms provided with the system software, with an overall rms error of 2.7% of the tested sensor range, whereas the linear calibrations resulted in an overall rms error of up to 24% of the tested range. The user-defined ten-point cubic calibration was almost five times more accurate, on average, than the power calibration over the full range, with an overall rms error of 0.6% of the tested range. The user-defined three-point quadratic calibration was almost twice as accurate as the Tekscan power calibration, but was sensitive to the calibration loads used. We recommend that investigators design their own calibration curves not only to improve accuracy but also to understand the range(s) of highest error and to choose the optimal points within the expected sensing range for calibration. Since output and sensor nonlinearity depend on the experimental protocol (sensor type, interface shape and materials, sensor range in use, loading method, etc.), sensor behavior should be investigated for each different application.
Technology talks: Clickers and grading incentive in the large lecture hall
Authors: Willoughby Shannon D. , Gustafson Eric
Published: January 2009

Two sections of an introductory astronomy class were given different grading incentives for clicker participation for two consecutive semesters. In the high stakes classroom points were awarded only for correct answers, in contrast to the low stakes classroom in which points were awarded simply for participating. Self-formed groups of four students each were recorded in both sections several times during the spring 2007 semester and their conversations were transcribed and categorized into nine topics to analyze the variations between the sections. Performance on clicker questions and tendency to block vote were correlated with class grades and gains for the pre- and post-test scores on the Astronomy Diagnostic Test.
A simple derivation of the electromagnetic field of an arbitrarily moving charge
Authors: Padmanabhan Hamsa
Published: January 2009

The expression for the electromagnetic field of a charge moving along an arbitrary trajectory is obtained in a direct, elegant, and Lorentz invariant manner without resorting to more complicated procedures such as differentiation of the Liénard-Wiechert potentials. The derivation uses arguments based on Lorentz invariance and a physically transparent expression originally due to Thomson for the field of a charge that experiences an impulsive acceleration.
The Lorentz force and the radiation pressure of light
Authors: Rothman Tony , Boughn Stephen
Published: January 2009

To make plausible the idea that light exerts a pressure on matter, some introductory physics texts consider the force exerted by an electromagnetic wave on an electron. The argument as presented is mathematically incorrect and has several serious conceptual difficulties without obvious resolution at the classical, yet alone introductory, level. We discuss these difficulties and propose an alternative argument.
Selenium and mercury in organisms: Interactions and mechanisms
Authors: Yang Dan-Yi , Chen Yu-Wei , Gunn John M. , Belzile Nelson
Published: January 2009

This paper reviews the growing literature dealing with the antagonistic effect of selenium (Se) compounds on the toxicity of mercury (Hg) compounds in higher animals and organisms present in the aquatic environment. It covers both laboratory and field studies and summarizes the possible mechanisms that explain the protective action of Se compounds on mercuric mercury (Hg2+) and methylmercury (CH3Hg+) toxicity. The review is subdivided according to the molecular form of Hg and the organisms in which the antagonism has been studied. Many authors suggest that the protective effect of selenite on the toxicity of Hg2+in mammals is due mainly to the in vivo formation of mercuric selenide (HgSe), a stable and biologically inert complex. The detection of HgSe has been confirmed in several studies in support of this mechanism. Possible mechanisms that may be involved in the antagonism between Se compounds and CH3Hg+in mammals and aquatic organisms are also presented. The possibility of adding Se compounds to contaminated lakes and reservoirs as a remediation technique to limit the bioaccumulation of Hg2+and CH3Hg+is critically discussed.
Temporal Variation of Meristic Traits within an Atlantic Salmon (Salmo salar) Stock, and Implications for Stock Identification
Authors: Blouw D. M. , Saxon S. D. , Chadwick E. M. P.
Published: January 2009

The assumption is generally made in stock identification studies that variation within stocks is not confounded with variation among them. To evaluate whether this assumption is tenable we test the null hypothesis of temporal stability in five key meristic traits of a single stock of Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar). We used smolts collected over a 10-yr period in the downstream migrations from one small river system. Individuals were tagged when captured and preserved, so we can estimate variability within, as well as among, runs. The meristic traits are remarkably homogenous within runs and cohorts. However, the null hypothesis of stability over time among runs and cohorts is strongly rejected for each trait. We conclude that temporal variation is both extensive and persistent. There is limited covariation among the traits, but they are largely independent of scores of environmental variables and of variation in the biological attributes of the stock. Because among-group variability is meaningful only in context of within-group variation, and because the within-group variation is large, our results have serious implications for sampling design in stock identification studies.
Ontogenetic Development of Growth Rates in Larval Pacific Herrings, Clupea harengus pallasi, Measured with RNA–DNA Ratios in the Strait of Georgia, British Columbia
Authors: Robinson S. M. C. , Ware D. M.
Published: January 2009

During the spring of 1986, a cohort of Pacific herring, Clupea harengus pallasi, larvae was sampled for 36 d in the Strait of Georgia to measure growth rates using RNA–DNA ratios for individual larvae. Concurrent with the field study, a population of herring larvae was starved from hatching in captivity for comparison with those caught in the field. The mean RNA–DNA ratio at hatching for the starved larvae was close to 2 but it quickly rose to 3.4 by age 4 d. The mean RNA–DNA ratio subsequently dropped back to 2 and below by age 8 d, presumably reflecting the exhaustion of the endogenous food supply of the yolk sac. The mean RNA–DNA ratio at the calculated point-of-no-return was 2.06 which was very similar to the zero protein growth rate or what we define as the "critical ratio." Herring larvae from the field generally showed an increase in the RNA–DNA ratio over the 36 d from approximately 2 to 7 although the first 18 d showed more variation than the latter. There was no evidence of mass starvation ("critical period") for the 1986 year class but there was a noticeable drop in the growth rate during the change to exogenous feeding. We suggest that starvation probably only directly affected the developing larvae during a window of about 11 d. Frequency distributions of the RNA–DNA ratios are shown for larvae over time.
Dynamics of Lake Michigan Phytoplankton; Relationship to Nitrogen and Silica Fluxes
Authors: Laird Gwenyth A. , Scavia Donald , Fahnenstiel Gary L. , Strong Lisa A. , Lang Gregory A.
Published: January 2009

We describe rates of nitrogen and silica concentration change during May–August 1983 and 1984 in southeastern Lake Michigan and compare those rates with measured plankton processes. Epilimnetic dissolved inorganic nitrogen depletion, compared with total phytoplankton demand, suggests that about 44% of the nitrogen demand is recycled. Epilimnetic diatom production, calculated from soluble silica depletion, is a relatively small fraction (< 20%) of total primary production, even when diatoms dominate. Sedimentation of epilimnetic diatom silica, compared with total silica depletion, suggests that a large portion (approximately 43%) of epilimnetic particulate silica sedimentation is due to nonliving diatoms.
Chaoborus Predation, Prey Vulnerability, and their Effect in Zooplankton Communities
Authors: Riessen Howard P. , Sommerville Jonathan W. , Chiappari Christopher , Gustafson Daniel
Published: January 2009

We investigated the effect of Chaohorus predation on a variety of zooplankton prey through the development, testing, and application of a model of prey vulnerability that predicts prey selection. This model, which is based on the swimming speed of the prey and the strike efficiency of the predator, predicts that Ceriodaphnia is 3–4 times more vulnerable to Chaoborus predation than is either Daphnia or Diaptomus. In laboratory feeding experiments, Ceriodaphnia was greatly preferred by Chaoborus over Daphnia and Diaptomus; both the order and magnitude of prey selection were accurately predicted by the prey vulnerability model. This especially large impact of Chaoborus predation on Ceriodaphnia, predicted by the model, was reflected in the community dynamics of a small pond. The seasonal peak of fourth-instar Chaoborus in this pond coincided with a sharp decline in Ceriodaphnia densities, and the subsequent decline of the predator was immediately followed by a rapid increase of this prey. A field experiment, in which Chaoborus densities were manipulated in experimental enclosures in the pond, also demonstrated the substantial impact of this predator on Ceriodaphnia. Enclosures with added Chaoborus (~1.0 larvae/L) contained 15 times fewer Ceriodaphnia and 10 times fewer Diaptomus than enclosures that lacked the predator.
Magnitude of Blue-Green Algal Blooms in a Saline Desert Lake Evaluated by Remote Sensing: Evidence for Nitrogen Control
Authors: Galat David L. , Verdin James P.
Published: January 2009

Seventy-six percent of the 1972–86 variability in remotely sensed maximum surface water biomass of Nodularia spumigena blooms in Pyramid Lake, Nevada, was explained by concentrations of surface water total nitrogen (TN) during the preceding winter circulation. Very large summer–autumn Nodularia blooms were recorded by Landsat subsequent to low early winter surface water TN concentrations, very low fluvial discharge, and fluvial TN loads as predicted, but contrary to predictions, also when fluvial discharge and TN loads were very high. The observed cause of large Nodularia blooms following high fluvial nitrogen influx was temporary meromixis produced by the large volume of freshwater transporting this nitrogen. Incomplete winter lake circulation reduced internal transport of hypolimnetic nitrogen to surface waters. Meromixis resulted in early stable summer thermal stratification and early depletion of epilimnetic inorganic nitrogen, followed by early and large Nodularia blooms. Variations in magnitude of historic Nodularia blooms in a saline desert lake support the generality of blue-green algal dominance in lakes with low nitrogen and high phosphorus concentrations (i.e. low N:P ratios). However, climatic forcing of fluvial discharge and lake mixing patterns were also shown to be important determinants of seasonal succession of phytoplankton to blue-greens.
2s → ns (n = 3, 4) excitation of hydrogen atom by positron and (or) electron impact
Authors: Kulhar V S
Published: January 2009

Excitation of a hydrogen atom from its meta stable 2s to its 3s and 4s state in positron and (or) electron impact processes was investigated using Newton’s three-particle scattering equations. The effect of the second-order term was also investigated. The angle dependence of the differential cross section was studied at energies of 10 and 50 eV, respectively. Integrated cross sections are also reported in the energy region 10–200 eV. These are compared with other existing calculations.PACS No.: 36.10.Dr
The dust acoustic waves in a hot nonthermal dusty plasma with variable dust charge under transverse perturbations
Authors: Wang H -Y , Zhang K -B
Published: January 2009

The effects of nonthermal distributed ions, the adiabatic dust-charge variation, the dust-fluid temperature, and the higher order transverse perturbations on small but finite amplitude dust acoustic waves have been investigated. A (2 + 1) Kadomtsev–Perviashvili (KP) equation and a (3 + 1) KP equation are derived by using the reductive perturbation method, respectively. Results shows that in the presence of the higher order transverse perturbations, the peak amplitude of the solitary waves may decrease, whereas their width increases as compared to the one-dimensional case. Meanwhile, not only compressive but also rarefactive solitary waves can coexist in this system. Furthermore, the nonthermally distributed ions have significant influence on the normalized dust charge.PACS No.: 52.35.Sb
Korteweg–de Vries type equations for waves propagating along the interface between air–water
Authors: Abourabia A M , Mahmoud M A , Khedr G M
Published: January 2009

We present solutions of the water wave problem for a fluid layer of finite depth in the presence of gravity and surface tension. The method of multiple scale expansion is employed to obtain the Korteweg–de Vries (KdV) equations for solitons, which describes the behavior of the system for the free surface between air and water in a nonlinear approach. The solutions of the water wave problem split up into two wave packets, one moving to the right and one to the left, where each of these wave packets evolves independently as the solutions of the KdV equations. The solutions of the KdV equations are obtained analytically by using the tanh-function method. The dispersion relations of the model KdV equations are studied. Finally, we observe that the elevation of the water waves are in the form of traveling solitary waves. The horizontal and vertical velocities, and the phase diagrams of the velocity components have a nonlinear characters.PACS No.: 47.11.St
Scanning electron microscope observations of pollen food bolus in the alimentary canal of honeybees (Apis mellifera L.)
Authors: Klungness L. M. , Peng Ying-Shin
Published: January 2009

A new cryomicrotomy technique which preserved the spatial relationships of pollen within the alimentary canal of the honeybee (Apis mellifera L.) was used during preparation for scanning electron microscopy. With this technique it was possible to demonstrate that the food bolus of the gut of the honeybee was not homogeneous. Layers of alcohol-insoluble colloidal suspensions were found in the form of a slurry containing no pollen. In other areas, mixtures of pollen and colloids and pollen with no surrounding colloids were found. Both intact and ruptured pollen grains were observed, and the protoplasm was found to be completely empty or intact or partially removed, depending on the species of pollen and location in the alimentary canal. The observations lend support to the proposal that pollen grains are digested by bursting the cell walls to release protoplasm or by gradual removal of the protoplasm from the pollen pores.
Morphology of the deutocerebrum of female Aedes aegypti (Diptera: Culicidae)
Authors: Childress Steven A. , McIver Susan B.
Published: January 2009

A description of the deutocerebrum of female Aedes aegypti (L.) based on silver-stained semithin (0.5 μm) serial sections of whole heads is presented. Paired aglomerular (mechanosensory) regions and paired glomerular (antennal) lobes, which are organized into nine islets, occur in the deutocerebrum. Commissural tracts connect the glomerular lobes just under the median fissure of the brain. The circumoesophageal connective links the two aglomerular regions. A nerve tract passes around the central body posteriorly and apparently connects the two glomerular lobes. The antennal glomerular tract joins the glomerular lobes to the posterior dorsal regions of the median foot of the mushroom body. A small branch leads from the antennal glomerular tract to an accessory lobe, located about half way between the mushroom body and the glomerular lobes. Additionally, a relatively large nerve tract leads from the glomerular lobe into the suboesophageal ganglion.
Prolegs and attachment of Simulium vittatum (sibling IS-7) (Diptera: Simuliidae) larvae
Authors: Barr William B.
Published: January 2009

A study of prolegs of Simulium vittatum larvae by scanning electron microscope reveals two supposed campaniform sensilla on the thoracic proleg, and tubercles on hooks of the posterior proleg. These tubercles could prevent hooks from dislodging from the pads of silk to which larvae attach. Inferences based on study of protracted and retracted prolegs, and of prolegs still attached to silk, suggest that bristles of lateral plates of the thoracic proleg help larvae to extricate hooks of that proleg from silk. A similar study of posterior prolegs suggests that the anal sclerite helps larvae to attach posterior hooks of the posterior proleg to pads of silk.
Epizootiology of Posthodiplostomum minimum (MacCallum) and Proteocephalus ambloplitis (Leidy) in bluegill (Lepomis macrochirus Rafinesque)
Authors: Bailey W. C.
Published: January 2009

A total of 529 bluegills (Lepomis macrochirus) from two Iowa ponds was examined for infections of parasitic white grubs (Posthodiplostomum minimum) and bass tapeworms (Proteocephalus ambloplitis). Fish from pond 1 harbored significantly greater levels of both parasites than did fish from pond 2. Female pond 1 bluegills generally supported greater intensities of P. minimum and P. ambloplitis than did males. A correlation coefficient (r) was determined as a measure of the relationship between metacercariae and plerocercoid populations in sexually mature pond 1 bluegills. A significant positive correlation was found, indicating that, as one parasite population increased or decreased, the other population did likewise. Fibrotic liver cysts were found in 25% of all age class IV pond 1 bluegills. Female fish exhibited a greater percent of lesions (30%) than did males (17%). The infection intensity of P. ambloplitis plerocercoids was significantly greater in hosts with fibrotic livers than in those without the fibrotic cysts.
Baeomyia n.g. (Diptera: Tachinidae): descriptions and notes about phylogenetic and zoogeographic relationships
Authors: O'Hara James E.
Published: January 2009

Baeomyia n.g. is described for a group of small (2–3 mm long) tachinids belonging to the Siphona group of the Siphonini. All known specimens were collected in western North America, with two species recorded from southern British Columbia (Baeomyia xanthogaster n. sp. and Baeomyia juniperi n. sp.) and three species recorded from desert localities in the American Southwest (type-species Baeomyia hurdi (Reinhard), Baeomyia antennata n. sp. and Baeomyia sonorensis n. sp.). Keys to adult males and females are provided for separation of species. Systematics of the Siphonini and Siphona group are reviewed, including a discussion of the synapomorphies upon which each is defined. Baeomyia species are inferred to form a monophyletic taxon within the Siphona group on the basis of five synapomorphies, though the relationship between the genus and other Siphona group taxa is unresolved. The apparent disjunction of Baeomyia species into northern and southern ranges may be the result of relatively recent speciation events, because differences among species are slight. A detailed zoogeographic analysis of the distribution pattern must await further phylogenetic data.
Thermoregulation in mule deer and elk
Authors: Parker Katherine L. , Robbins Charles T.
Published: January 2009

Thermoregulatory responses of mule deer (Odocoileus hemionus hemionus) and elk (Cervus elaphus nelsoni) were analyzed for air temperatures outdoors between 2 and 34 °C in summer and −38 and +24 °C in winter. Body temperatures differed between species, seasons, and ages. Surface skin temperatures varied with air temperature, incident radiation, and seasonal pelage. Respiratory rate and water loss increased exponentially while exhaled air temperatures varied sigmoidally as air temperature increased. Expired air volume increased logarithmically with increasing respiratory rate. Cutaneous evaporation (grams per square metre per hour) in summer was significantly greater in elk than in mule deer, which used panting as the primary means of heat dissipation in hot environments. Nonevaporative respiratory heat loss varied parabolically as a function of air temperature in both species. Thermally critical environments for mule deer occurred at operative temperatures of less than −20 °C and greater than 5 °C in winter and greater than 25 °C in summer. Energy expenditures increased for elk at operative temperatures below −20 °C and above +20 °C in winter, with metabolic rates decreasing between 10 and −20 °C. Maximum thermal resistances for mule deer and elk in winter were 1400 and 2000 s/m, respectively, compared with 600 and 400 s/m in summer.
TOPOLOGICAL MAPPINGS OF VIDEO AND AUDIO DATA
Authors: FYFE COLIN , BARBAKH WESAM , OOI WEI CHUAN , KO HANSEOK
Published: January 2009

We review a new form of self-organizing map which is based on a nonlinear projection of latent points into data space, identical to that performed in the Generative Topographic Mapping (GTM).1 But whereas the GTM is an extension of a mixture of experts, this model is an extension of a product of experts.2 We show visualisation and clustering results on a data set composed of video data of lips uttering 5 Korean vowels. Finally we note that we may dispense with the probabilistic underpinnings of the product of experts and derive the same algorithm as a minimisation of mean squared error between the prototypes and the data. This leads us to suggest a new algorithm which incorporates local and global information in the clustering. Both ot the new algorithms achieve better results than the standard Self-Organizing Map.
INTEGRITY PROTECTION OF BINARY TEXT DOCUMENT IMAGES BASED ON IMAGE TOPOLOGIES
Authors: LIN CHU-HSING , LIN YU-YING , SANDNES FRODE EIKA
Published: January 2009

An improved scheme for integrity protection of binary images representing text documents based on the topologies of these images is proposed. The image skeleton and the inverse skeleton are found through thinning and the skeleton signature is combined with watermark information. The result is encrypted asymmetrically and hidden in embeddable locations of the image. A series of attack experiments are conducted to demonstrate that the approach is capable of detecting tampering. Even single malicious pixel modifications are detected. The approach has a lower computation cost than previous methods.
CLUSTERING QUALITY MEASURES BASED ON COMPARING THE PROXIMITY MATRICES FOR THE MEMBERSHIP VECTORS AND THE OBJECTS
Authors: BROUWER ROELOF K.
Published: January 2009

There are several commonly accepted clustering quality measures (clustering quality as opposed to cluster quality) such as the rand index, the adjusted rand index and the jacquard index. Each of these however is based on comparing the partition produced by the clustering process to a correct partition. They can therefore only be used to determine the quality of a clustering process when the correct partition is known. This paper therefore proposes another clustering quality measure that does not require the comparison to a correct partition.

The proposed metric is based on the assumption that the proximities between the membership vectors should correlate positively with the proximities between the objects which may be the proximities between their feature vectors. The values of the components of the membership vector, corresponding to a pattern, are the membership degrees of the pattern in the various clusters. The membership vector is just another object data vector or type of feature vector with the feature values for an object being the membership values of the object in the various clusters. Based on this premise, this paper describes some new cluster quality metrics derived from standard correlation measures and other proposed correlation metrics.

Simulations on data with a wide range of clusterability or separability show that the approach of comparing the proximity matrix based on the membership matrix to the object proximity matrix is quite effective.
A MULTIMEDIA WATERMARKING TECHNIQUE BASED ON SVMs
Authors: WANG CHIA-JEN , YEN SHWU-HUEY , WANG PATRICK S.
Published: January 2009

In this paper we present an improved support vector machines (SVMs) watermarking system for still images and video sequences. By a thorough study on feature selection for training SVM, the proposed system shows significant improvements on computation efficiency and robustness to various attacks. The improved algorithm is extended to be a scene-based video watermarking technique. In a given scene, the algorithm uses the first h' frames to train an embedding SVM, and uses the trained SVM to watermark the rest of the frames. In the extracting phrase, the detector uses only the center h frames of the first h' frames to train an extracting SVM. The final extracted watermark in a given scene is the average of watermarks extracted from the remaining frames. Watermarks are embedded in l longest scenes of a video such that it is computationally efficient and capable to resist possible frames swapping/deleting/duplicating attacks. Two collusion attacks, namely temporal frame averaging and watermark estimation remodulation, on video watermarking are discussed and examined. The proposed video watermarking algorithm is shown to be robust to compression and collusion attacks, and it is novel and practical for SVM-applications.
MULTIMODAL PEOPLE TRACKING AND IDENTIFICATION FOR SERVICE ROBOTS
Authors: BELLOTTO NICOLA , HU HUOSHENG
Published: January 2009

In order for a service robot to approach humans and provide the services it has been designed for, an efficient system for people tracking and identification must be developed. This paper presents a novel solution to the problem that makes use of different sensors and data fusion techniques. The robot utilizes a laser device and a PTZ color camera to detect, respectively, human legs and faces. The relative information is integrated, in real-time, using a sequential implementation of Unscented Kalman Filter. Furthermore, thanks to an histogram comparison with a measure based on the Bhattacharyya coefficient, people are also identified and labelled according to their clothes. This measure is also used to improve the robustness of the data association process. The effectiveness of the proposed method is shown by experiments with a real mobile robot in challenging situations.
A QUALITY METRIC BASED ON COLOR SIMILARITY FOR IMAGE FUSION
Authors: LI SHANSHAN , HONG RICHANG , LIU BO , WU XIUQING
Published: January 2009

This paper proposes a new objective, non-reference quality metric for evaluating the performance of pixel-level image fusion. The metric is designed on a likelihood function for color cue that measures the similarity of color- or grey-level distributions. We have provided a theoretical analysis on how the quality metric responds to weighted averaging fusion algorithm. Then the slide window is used to calculate the metric over local region with the weight which is assessed by local saliency and indicates the relative importance. Extensive experiments have demonstrated that the metric is more effective and consistent with subjective evaluations compared with other metrics.
PROTEIN FOLDING AS A RESULT OF 'SELF-REGULATED STOCHASTIC RESONANCE': A NEW PARADIGM?
Authors: STARIKOV EVGENI B. , HENNIG DIRK , NORDÉN BENGT
Published: January 2009

We scrutinize the available (seemingly disparate) theories of protein folding and propose a new concept which brings them under one roof. First, we single out dipole–dipole coupling within protein backbone as the main reason for intrinsic double-well nature of the protein potential. Then, protein folding as a whole ought to be (at least) a two-stage process, namely: (a) both amino-acid side chains and solvent enslave the dynamics of the backbone to reach the folding transition state with the help of stochastic resonance, and (b) the backbone funnels the whole protein into the global potential energy minimum by enslaving the dynamics of the amino-acid side chains plus solvent, and simultaneously arresting the stochastic resonance prerequisites to lock the protein in its folded state. The latter is accomplished owing to the concerted action of the protein compactization (enthalpic contribution) and thermal motion intensification (entropic contribution), which is, in fact, a physical hallmark of enthalpy–entropy compensation.
POTENTIAL MECHANISMS OF CANCER PREVENTION BY WEIGHT CONTROL
Authors: JIANG YU , WANG WEIQUN
Published: January 2009

Weight control via dietary caloric restriction and/or physical activity has been demonstrated in animal models for cancer prevention. However, the underlying mechanisms are not fully understood. Body weight loss due to negative energy balance significantly reduces some metabolic growth factors and endocrinal hormones such as IGF-1, leptin, and adiponectin, but enhances glucocorticoids, that may be associated with anti-cancer mechanisms. In this review, we summarized the recent studies related to weight control and growth factors. The potential molecular targets focused on those growth factors- and hormones-dependent cellular signaling pathways are further discussed. It appears that multiple factors and multiple signaling cascades, especially for Ras-MAPK-proliferation and PI3K-Akt-anti-apoptosis, could be involved in response to weight change by dietary calorie restriction and/or exercise training. Considering prevalence of obesity or overweight that becomes apparent over the world, understanding the underlying mechanisms among weight control, endocrine change and cancer risk is critically important. Future studies using "-omics" technologies will be warrant for a broader and deeper mechanistic information regarding cancer prevention by weight control.
Uncoupling protein-2 regulates lifespan in mice
Authors: Andrews Zane B. , Horvath Tamas L.
Published: January 2009

The long-term effects of uncoupled mitochondrial respiration by uncoupling protein-2 (UCP2) in mammalian physiology remain controversial. Here we show that increased mitochondrial uncoupling activity of different tissues predicts longer lifespan of rats compared with mice. UCP2 reduces reactive oxygen species (ROS) production and oxidative stress throughout the aging process in different tissues in mice. The absence of UCP2 shortens lifespan in wild-type mice, and the level of UCP2 positively correlates with the postnatal survival of superoxide dismutase-2 mutant animals. Thus UCP2 has a beneficial influence on cell and tissue function leading to increased lifespan.