bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Interactive Continuous Collision Detection Using Swept Volume for Avatars
Authors: Kim Young J , Redon Stephane , Lin Ming C , Manocha Dinesh , Templeman Jim 
Published: March 2007

We present an interactive algorithm for continuous collision detection between a moving avatar and its surrounding virtual environment. Our algorithm is able to compute the first time of contact between the avatar and the environment interactively, and also guarantees within a user-provided error threshold that no collision ever happens before the first contact occurs.We model the avatar as an articulated body using line skeletons with constant offsets and the virtual environment as a collection of polygonized objects. Given the position and orientation of the avatar at discrete time steps, we use an arbitrary in-between motion to interpolate the path for each link between discrete instances. We bound the swept space of each link using interval arithmetic and dynamically compute a bounding volume hierarchy (BVH) to cull links that are not in close proximity to the objects in the virtual environment. The swept volumes (SVs) of the remaining links are used to check for possible interference and estimate the time of collision between the surface of the SV and the rest of the objects. Furthermore, we use graphics hardware to accelerate collision queries on the dynamically generated swept surfaces.Our approach requires no precomputation and is applicable to general articulated bodies that do not contain a loop. We have implemented the algorithm on a 2.8 GHz Pentium IV PC with an NVIDIA GeForce 6800 Ultra graphics card and applied it to an avatar with 16 links, moving in a virtual environment composed of hundreds of thousands of polygons. Our prototype system is able to detect all contacts between the moving avatar and the environment in 10–30 ms.
Male Bonding in Ming China
Authors: Lam Joseph 
Published: March 2007

AbstractMaking friends and making music are two fundamental activities through which people construct their personal identities and social relationships in their historical, cultural, and engendered times and spaces. To probe such activities as revealing facets of Ming history and culture, this essay presents three case studies of Ming men making music and bonding with male friends. To highlight the expressive, cultural, and social significance of music, this essay postulates that music catalyzed male bonding in Ming China by providing a tool, a site, and a process for Ming men to express and negotiate their masculine desires, identities, and roles.
Human-Animal Studies in Australia: Current Directions
Authors: Mulcock Jane , Lloyd Natalie 
Published: March 2007

AbstractIn 2004, Natalie Lloyd and Jane Mulcock initiated the Australian Animals & Society Study Group, a network of social science, humanities and arts scholars that quickly grew to include more than 100 participants. In July 2005, about 50 participants attended the group's 4-day inaugural conference at the University of Western Australia, Perth. Papers in this issue emerged from the conference. They exemplify the Australian academy's work in the fields of History, Population Health, Sociology, Geography, and English and address strong themes: human-equine relationships; management of native and introduced animals; and relationships with other domestic, nonhuman animals—from cats and dogs to cattle. Human-Animal Studies is an expanding field in Australia. However, many scholars, due to funding and teaching concerns, focus their primary research in different domains. All authors in this issue—excepting one—are new scholars in their respective fields. The papers represent the diversity and innovation of recent Australian research on human-animal interactions. The authors look at both past and present, then anticipate future challenges in building an effective network to expand this field of study in Australia.
"Something of Interest about Ourselves": Natural History and the Evolutionary Hierarchy at Taronga Zoological Park
Authors: Lloyd Natalie 
Published: March 2007

AbstractSherbourne Le Souef, a director of Sydney's Taronga Zoological Park during the first part of the twentieth century, utilized his observations of nonhuman animals living in captivity to write on the "actions, reactions and traits common to [humans] and animals" (Le Souef, 1930, p. 598). Le Souef's writings reflect his search beyond the human will for "the genesis of man's actions and reactions" (p. 598) and his appreciation of evolutionary theory where the idea of hierarchy was maintained. Similar to William T. Hornaday, a director of the zoological gardens in New York, Le Souef sought the moral improvement of zoo audiences through encouraging observation of nonhuman animals. More broadly, he argued for the relevance of his own observations to the general progress of the peoples of the new world. This paper identifies how notions of animal behavior were understood to indicate social, cultural, spiritual, and species hierarchies.
New Zealand and ANZUS
Authors: Rowling Sir Wallace 
Published: March 2007

ANZUS originated in 1951 as a broad defensive agreement among New Zealand, Australia, and the United States. The treaty came to provide the context in which the three countries cooperated militarily, but it has never been invoked by New Zealand. The Labour government elected to office in New Zealand in July 1984 had a mandate to make New Zealand nuclear-free. The policy is a statement of concern in the face of the threat posed by nuclear weapons. New Zealand is not turning its back on the Western world, nor do New Zealanders believe they are buying immunity from nuclear conflict. The policy has affected access by U.S. naval vessels to New Zealand ports; however, New Zealand cannot accept that occasional visits should be the litmus test of the Alliance. The U.S. measures taken as a consequence can only weaken New Zealand's ability to support Western interests in the South Pacific. The relationship between New Zealand and the United States has been diminished. We must set about rebuilding it.
The U.S. Print Media and the Conventional Military Balance in Europe
Authors: Roy Denny 
Published: March 2007

Many analysts of the conventional military balance between NATO and Warsaw Pact forces in Europe argue that the U.S. press presents an unduly pessimistic picture of NATO's capability to withstand an invasion by Soviet-bloc conventional forces. This article seeks to substantiate and to explain this alleged incongruity between strategy experts and the American media. The first section presents the findings of a quantitative study of four influential publications over a three-year period. These findings indicate that the U.S. press does indeed underrepresent the more optimistic assessments of NATO's conventional military capability. The second section offers a twofold explanation for this phenomenon, arguing that the media's pessimism stems from the complexity of the issue and from the inherent advantages held by the conventional wisdom promulgated by self-interested U.S. government officials.
Revising the War Powers Act
Authors: Nathan James A. 
Published: March 2007

The issues that prompted the passing of the War Powers Act will continue to bedevil us again if Congress does not prepare to meet the future with seriously asserted procedures to regularize its relationship to the executive branch regarding a recourse to arms. There were unintended ambiguities and unforeseen exigencies in the original war powers legislation that have confounded systematic application of that act. Also inhibiting Congress has been an acceptance of an incorrect formula-that the War Powers Act 'report" triggers the withdrawal of U.S. troops no later than 90 days after they were first committed. In fact, it is not the report that triggers the 90-day clock, but the military activity itself that starts the 90-day clock, irrespective of any report. An improved War Powers Act would require the executive to provide reports that are more timely and more extensive. It would rethink the obligation that troops return within 90 days. And it would compel more thorough consultations pursuant to any military undertaking. An improved war powers statute would come to grips with the "standing" of Congress in court and the financing of any proposed military undertaking.
The People's Liberation Army and China's Crisis
Authors: Gregor A. James 
Published: March 2007

The suppression of the prodemocracy movement on the Chinese mainland in June 1989 has left American sinologists uncertain about the future political and security roles of the People's Liberation Army. The current policy of the leadership in Beijing seems to be to charge the PLA with the suppression of domestic "class enemies"—a responsibility not embraced with enthusiasm. Together with that development is another that apparently redefines the traditional security responsibilities of the PLA. Since at least 1985, the Communist Chinese leadership has argued that a major conflict involving the principal military powers is very unlikely. "Small wars," it is maintained, calculated to resolve territorial and national interest conflicts are far more likely. The apparent intention is to groom the PLA for such an environment. The rulers of China may well view nationalistic, irredentist wars not only as an occasion to resolve some external problems, but as an opportunity to reconsecrate the military to Communist party purpose.
"An Opportunity to Show Their Epalets and Feathers": The South Carolina Militia During the First Secession Crisis, 1848-1851
Authors: Eysturlid Lee W. 
Published: March 2007

In the years between 1848 and 1851 South Carolina experienced a radicalization in its politics. This article attempts to show how the militia played an integral part in this process, in that it provided both internal security and a political forum. The discussion will show that while the military capability of the militia may have decreased, its symbolic value remained important. The article asserts that the mandatory militia gatherings that were held with regularity throughout the state provided an inherent political platform for South Carolina's leadership. The ability to reach the greater part of the state's electorate allowed for the propagation of the secessionist message.
Towards defining a meaningful anxiety phenotype for research in ADHD children
Authors: Mennin D. , Biederman J. , Mick E. , Faraone S. V. 
Published: March 2007

Objective: To combine anxiety diagnoses empirically into a meaningful definition of a comorbid anxiety syndrome in ADHD children. Methods: The prevalence of all DSM-111-R anxiety disorders was examined in our ADHD sample (N =237) and a Receiver Operating Characteristic (ROC) analysis was conducted to combine the information optimally from these many disorders into a single anxiety phenotype. Results: We found that two or more anxiety disorders correctly identified a large number of ADHD children as anxious (SN=0.75) while maintaining a reasonable false positive rate (Sp=0.67). In contrast, the criterion of three or more anxiety disorders correctly identified only half the sample and the criterion of one or more anxiety disorders had a much higher false positive rate. The necessary data are also presented for those that may wish to use a definition other than 2 or more anxiety disorders. Conclusion: These findings suggest that using 2 or more anxiety disorders may offer a useful approach to defining comorbid anxiety in ADHD youth.
Self-ratings of ADHD symptoms in adults I: Factor structure and normative data
Authors: Conners C. K. , Erhardt D. , Epstein J. N. , Parker J. D.A. , Sitarenios G. , Sparrow E. 
Published: March 2007

Background: Although well-standardized behavior rating scales are routinely utilized in children for evaluations of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), comparable measures for adults with ADHD symptomatology have been sparse. Based on current literature and clinical experience, nine aspects of adult ADHD functioning provided initial hypotheses regarding factor structure and scale items for a new scale for self-rating of symptoms by adults suspected of having ADHD. Method: A normative sample of 839 subjects and a clinical sample of 167 subjects completed ratings of an initial pool of 93 items. Results: Exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses suggested a four-factor structure involving 42 items. These factors include Inattention/Cognitive Problems, Hyperactivity/Restlessness, Impulsivity/Emotional Lability, and Problems with Self-Concept. Conclusion: The scale appears to cover the core features of ADHD as seen in children and adolescents, while adding content unique to adult expression of the ADHD syndrome. The new scale (Conners' Adult ADHD Rating Scale, or CAARS) may provide a useful dimensional measurement system for research and clinical applications.
Self-ratings of ADHD symptomas in auts II: Reliability, validity, and diagnostic sensitivity
Authors: Erhardt D. , Epstein J. N. , Conners C. K. , Parker J. D.A. , Sitarenios G. 
Published: March 2007

Background: The Conners' Adult ADHD Rating Scale (CAARS) was designed to assess the manifestations of ADHD in adults. Prior factor analyses suggested a 4-factor structure for the CAARS, includingdimensions related to Inattention/Cognitive Problems, Hyperactivity/Restlessness, Impulsivity/Emotional Liability, and Problems with Self-Concept. Method: The internal consistency, test-retest reliability, concurrent validity, criterion validity, and diagnostic utility for the CAARS were examined. Results: Coefficient alphas ranged from .86 to .92. Median test-retest reliability for the four factors was .89. Al/ four CAARS factors correlated significantly with scores from an established measure used in the evaluation of ADHD in adults. Criterion validity was assessed on the basis of comparisons of matched samples with and without ADHD. Sensitivity and specificity were high, with an overall diagnostic efficiency rate of 85%. Conclusion: The CAARS provides researchers and clinicians with a carefully constructed and psychometrically sound scale for the evaluation of current ADHD symptomatology in adults.
Regulation of macrophage procoagulant responses by the tissue factor cytoplasmic domain in endotoxemia
Authors: Ahamed Jasimuddin , Niessen Frank , Kurokawa Toru , Lee Young Kyung , Bhattacharjee Gourab , Morrissey James H. , Ruf Wolfram 
Published: March 2007

AbstractTissue factor (TF) is the primary initiator of coagulation, and the TF pathway mediates signaling through protease-activated receptors (PARs). In sepsis, TF is up-regulated as part of the proinflammatory response in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)–stimulated monocytes leading to systemic coagulation activation. Here we demonstrate that TF cytoplasmic domain–deleted (TFΔCT) mice show enhanced and prolonged systemic coagulation activation relative to wild-type upon LPS challenge. However, TFΔCT mice resolve inflammation earlier and are protected from lethality independent of changes in coagulation. Macrophages from LPS-challenged TFΔCT mice or LPS-stimulated, in vitro–differentiated bone marrow–derived macrophages show increased TF mRNA and functional activity relative to wild-type, identifying up-regulation of macrophage TF expression as a possible cause for the increase in coagulation of TFΔCT mice. Increased TF expression of TFΔCT macrophages does not require PAR2 and is specific for toll-like receptor, but not interferon γ receptor, signaling. The presence of the TF cytoplasmic domain suppresses ERK1/2 phosphorylation that is reversed by p38 inhibition leading to enhanced TF expression specifically in wild-type but not TFΔCT mice. The present study demonstrates a new role of the TF cytoplasmic domain in an autoregulatory pathway that controls LPS-induced TF expression in macrophages and procoagulant responses in endotoxemia.
Inactivation of RB1 in mantle-cell lymphoma detected by nonsense-mediated mRNA decay pathway inhibition and microarray analysis
Authors: Pinyol Magda , Bea Silvia , Plà Laura , Ribrag Vincent , Bosq Jacques , Rosenwald Andreas , Campo Elias , Jares Pedro 
Published: March 2007

Abstract
Mantle-cell lymphoma (MCL) is genetically characterized by the translocation t(11;14)(q13;q32) and a high number of secondary chromosomal abnormalities. To identify genes inactivated in this lymphoma, we examined 5 MCL cell lines following a strategy previously described in tumors with microsatellite instability that is based on the combined inhibition of the nonsense-mediated mRNA decay pathway and gene-expression profiling. This approach, together with the design of a conservative algorithm for analysis of the results, allowed the identification of 3 genes carrying premature stop codons. These genes were p53 with a mutation previously described in JEKO-1, the leukocyte-derived arginine aminopeptidase (LRAP) gene in REC-1 that showed a new splicing isoform generating a premature stop codon, and RB1 in UPN-1 that contained an intragenic homozygous deletion resulting in a truncated transcript and total loss of protein expression. The new LRAP isoform was detected also in 2 primary MCLs, whereas inactivating intragenic deletions of RB1 were found in the primary tumor from which UPN-1 was derived and 1 additional blastoid MCL. These tumors carried a concomitant inactivation of p53, whereas p16INK4a was wild type. These results indicate for the first time that RB1 may be inactivated in aggressive MCL by intragenic deletions.
Polymorphisms of interleukin-10 and its receptor and lung function in COPD
Authors: He J-Q. , Shumansky K. , Zhang X. , Connett J. E. , Anthonisen N. R. , Sandford A. J. 
Published: March 2007

Interleukin (IL)-10 is a type-2 T-helper cell cytokine with a broad spectrum of anti-inflammatory actions. Inflammation plays an important role in the pathogenesis of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. It was hypothesised that single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of the genes encoding IL-10 (IL10) and the α subunit of its receptor (IL10RA) are associated with changes in, or value of, forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1) in smoking-induced chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.In total, eleven SNPs ofIL10andIL10RAwere studied in 586 White subjects, selected from continuous smokers followed for 5 yrs in the Lung Health Study, who showed the fastest (n = 280) and slowest (n = 306) decline in FEV1. These 11 SNPs were also studied in 1,072 participants exhibiting the lowest (n = 538) and highest (n = 534) baseline FEV1at the beginning of the Lung Health Study.No association was found in the primary analyses. Although a subgroup analysis showed that the IL-10 3368A allele was associated with a fast decline in FEV1, the association did not pass correction for multiple comparisons. No gene–gene interaction ofIL10withIL10RAwas found.There was no association of polymorphisms of the genes encoding interleukin-10 and the α subunit of its receptor with the rate of decline in, or value of, forced expiratory volume in one second in smoking-induced chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.
Endobronchial ultrasound: new insight for the diagnosis of sarcoidosis
Authors: Wong M. , Yasufuku K. , Nakajima T. , Herth F. J. F. , Sekine Y. , Shibuya K. , Iizasa T. , Hiroshima K. , Lam W. K. , Fujisawa T. 
Published: March 2007

A diagnosis of sarcoidosis should be substantiated by pathological means in order to thoroughly exclude other diseases. The role of real-time endobronchial ultrasound-guided transbronchial needle aspiration (EBUS-TBNA) in the diagnosis of sarcoidosis has not been reported. The purpose of the present study is to evaluate the diagnostic yield of EBUS-TBNA in demonstrating the pathological features of sarcoidosis.In total, 65 patients with suspected sarcoidosis, with enlarged hilar or mediastinal lymph nodes on computed tomography, were included in the study. Patients with a suspected or known malignancy or previously established diagnosis of sarcoidosis were excluded. Convex probe endobronchial ultrasonography integrated with a separate working channel was used for EBUS-TBNA. Surgical methods were performed in those in whom no granulomas were detected by EBUS-TBNA. Patients were followed up clinically.EBUS-TBNA was performed on a total of 77 lymph node stations in 65 patients. A final diagnosis of sarcoidosis was made for 61 (93.8%) of the patients. The remaining four patients were diagnosed as having Wegener's granulomatosis (n = 1) or indefinite (n = 3). In patients with a final diagnosis of sarcoidosis, EBUS-TBNA demonstrated noncaseating epithelioid cell granulomas in 56 (91.8%) of the patients. No complications were reported.Endobronchial ultrasound-guided transbronchial needle aspiration proved to be a safe procedure with a high yield for the diagnoses of sarcoidosis.
Airway resistance variability and response to bronchodilator in children with asthma
Authors: Lall C. A. , Cheng N. , Hernandez P. , Pianosi P. T. , Dali Z. , Abouzied A. , Maksym G. N. 
Published: March 2007

Variability of airway function is a feature of asthma, spanning timescales from months to seconds. Short-term variation in airway resistance (Rrs) is elevated in asthma and is thought to be due to increased variation in the contractile activation of airway smooth muscle. If true, then variation inRrsshould decrease in response to bronchodilators, but this has not been investigated.Using the forced oscillation technique,Rrsand the variation inRrsfrom 4–34 Hz were measured in 39 children with well-controlled mild-to-moderate asthma and 31 healthy controls (7–13 yrs) before and after an inhaled bronchodilator (200 µg salbutamol) or placebo.In agreement with other findings, baselineRrsat all frequencies and thesdofRrs(Rrssd) below 14 Hz were found to be elevated in asthma while neither forced expiratory volume in one second nor the mean forced expiratory flow between 25 and 75% of forced vital capacity were different compared with controls. The present authors found thatRrssdchanged the most of any measurement in asthma, and this was the only measurement that changed significantly more in children with asthma following bronchodilator administration.The present results show that like airway narrowing, short-term airway variability of resistance may be a characteristic feature of asthma that may be useful for monitoring response to therapy.
Detection of extrapulmonary lesions with integrated PET/CT in the staging of lung cancer
Authors: De Wever W. , Vankan Y. , Stroobants S. , Verschakelen J. 
Published: March 2007

The aim of the present study was to assess retrospectively the additional value of positron emission tomography (PET)/computed tomography (CT) in the detection of unexpected extrapulmonary lesions in the staging of patients with a malignant pulmonary lesion in comparison with CT and PET used alone.A total of 217 patients with a pathologically proven lung tumour underwent PET/CT. CT, PET and PET/CT were evaluated in the detection of extrapulmonary lesions. These abnormalities were compared with the final diagnosis obtained from the medical records and statistical analysis was carried out.In total, 108 lesions were clinically detected. PET/CT showed a sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values and accuracy of 100, 81, 71, 100 and 87%, respectively, for the detection of extrapulmonary lesions and 92, 98, 89, 98 and 97%, respectively, for the detection of malignant extrapulmonary lesions. PET/CT was significantly better than CT and PET used alone.Conventional staging work-up has a poor sensitivity in detecting second primary cancers or unexpected metastases. The detection of malignant extrapulmonary lesions is necessary for correct tumour staging. By combining both metabolic and anatomical information, positron emission tomography/computed tomography is able to depict more unexpected extrapulmonary lesions than computed tomography and positron emission tomography used alone, and positron emission tomography/computed tomography provides more additional information of malignancy or benignancy of lesions detected with one of the two imaging modalities alone.