bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Vitamin D receptor (VDR) gene polymorphisms and haplotypes, interactions with plasma 25‐hydroxyvitamin D and 1,25‐dihydroxyvitamin D, and prostate cancer risk
Authors: Mikhak Bahar , Hunter David J , Spiegelman Donna , Platz Elizabeth A. , Hollis Bruce W. , Giovannucci Edward 
Published: April 2007

AbstractBACKGROUNDThe vitamin D receptor (VDR) is required for actions of vitamin D. The binding of 1,25‐dihydroxyvitamin D to the VDR on prostatic epithelial cells prompts the regulation of cancer‐related genes.METHODSWe conducted a nested case‐control study in the Health Professionals Follow‐up Study to investigate the role of the VDR Cdx2, Fok1, and Bsm1 gene polymorphisms and associated haplotypes and their interaction with plasma vitamin D metabolites in relation to prostate cancer (PC) risk.RESULTSNo association was found between these SNPs or their associated haplotypes and all PC subtypes except that haplotype 2 (A‐f‐b) with Cdx2 A, Fok1 f, and Bsm1 b alleles and haplotype 3 (A‐F‐B) with Cdx2 A, Fok1 F and Bsm1 B alleles compared to the most common haplotype (A‐F‐b), were associated with reduced risk of aggressive PC (high stage or Gleason sum ≥7; P = 0.02), both with two alleles suspected of being low risk. Carriers of the variant Cdx2 A allele who were deficient in plasma 25‐hydroxyvitamin D (≤15 ng/ml) compared to non‐carriers with normal 25‐hydroxyvitamin D, had a lower risk of total and poorly differentiated PCs (Gleason sum ≥7) (P for interaction = 0.02 and 0.04, respectively). Plasma 1,25‐dihydroxyvitamin D deficiency (≤26 pg/ml) was associated with a threefold risk of poorly differentiated PC (P for interaction = 0.01) when comparing carriers of the Cdx2 A allele to non‐carriers with normal 1,25‐dihydroxyvitamin D.CONCLUSIONIn this population of men, none of the VDR polymorphisms studied was associated with susceptibility to PC. Prostate 67: 911–923, 2007. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Periodane: A wealth of structural possibilities revealed by the Kick procedure
Authors: Bera Partha P. , Schleyer Paul v. R. , Schaefer Henry F. 
Published: April 2007

AbstractTwenty seven new isomers, considerably lower in energy than the two previously reported structures of the novel molecule periodane, LiBeBCNOF, are found theoretically using a stochastic search methodology at the B3LYP/6–31G(d) level of theory. The global minimum is predicted to lie 122 kcal/mol lower in energy than the previously claimed lowest energy structure. The importance of an automated isomer search method to help find isomers on the potential energy surface of molecules in the gas phase is emphasized. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Quantum Chem, 2007
Data‐driven implementation of layer 2/3 interface without bottlenecks: Description and experimental study
Authors: Aoki Kazuhiro , Kudo Shinya , Nishikawa Hiroaki 
Published: April 2007

AbstractEnabling real‐time media communications processing is a requisite for the networking environment in its role as the information communications infrastructure. The authors examine a data‐driven implementation for TCP/IP protocol handling in order to enable real‐time multiprocessing of the protocol in the networking environment without the overhead associated with multiprocessing. CUE‐v1 is a data‐driven processor based on a data‐driven processor for high‐precision moving picture processing which adds commands for TCP/IP handling, and wherein multiple processors are integrated on a single chip, including a processor for memory processing. This paper describes the data‐driven implementation of the layer 2/3 interface, including protocol handling and using CUE‐v1 and ATM/FastEthernet networking chips as part of a data‐driven implementation of the networking environment. This type of network interface requires that the transmission capacity of the network be used to its utmost limit. Communications processing between the network chips, assuming a self‐synchronizing processor CUE‐v1 and a clock‐synchronized processor, is the bottleneck at this time. Through the construction of a board using an FPGA and dual port memory for connecting the CUE‐v1 and the networking chips, this implementation demonstrates that communication is possible without harming the transmission capacity of the network. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Syst Comp Jpn, 38(6): 62–69, 2007; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/scj.20286 Copyright © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Hidden surface removal in full‐parallax CGHs by silhouette approximation
Authors: Kondoh Akinobu , Matsushima Kyoji 
Published: April 2007

AbstractIn this paper we report a method of removing hidden surfaces in full‐parallax computer‐generated holograms. First, we examine the handling of light shielding by tilted patches in terms of wave optics, and then propose a silhouette approximation. In addition, we derive a recurrence formula to synthesize object light waves with hidden surface removal by the proposed method. We show that appearance of optically reconstructed surface object of the full‐parallax holograms generated by the proposed method varies in a natural manner as the observation point is changed. This study achieves hidden surface removal in full‐parallax holograms, which was believed to be possible only if vertical parallax is ignored. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Syst Comp Jpn, 38(6): 53–61, 2007; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/scj.20345 Copyright © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Fast line detection by the local polar coordinates using a window
Authors: Murakami Kenji , Maekawa Yuji , Izumida Masanori , Kinoshita Koji 
Published: April 2007

AbstractThe Hough transform is known as a technique for detecting image components (primitives) such as lines or circles. We previously proposed a “primitive detection method using local polar coordinates,” which can quickly detect primitives by reducing the dimensionality of the vote array of this Hough transform. However, this method has the property that the primitive detection speed is affected by the position and quantity of noise that is contained in the image (this property is called “noise dependency”), and this property had become a problem when the method was actually used. Therefore, in this paper, we propose a solution for this noise dependency problem. The proposed method sets a window in the vicinity of a local pole origin and determines whether or not a local pole can be set according to an operation (multiple votes per pixel) within this window. From various types of experimental results, we show that the proposed method is highly effective even though it is simple. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Syst Comp Jpn, 38(6): 43– 52, 2007; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/scj.20359 Copyright © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Algorithm to detect abnormal states of elderly persons for home monitoring
Authors: Sawai Kazuyoshi , Yoshida Masaki 
Published: April 2007

AbstractWith the advance of an elderly‐dominated society, the population of elderly persons who live alone is increasing. To allow health checking of the solitary elderly when at home, it is planned to install sensors in houses for long‐term monitoring. The purpose of this is to detect abnormal states of solitary elderly persons in daily life (such as staying immobile due to bad physical condition or inability to move as a result of falling or sudden change of physical condition). An algorithm was developed to detect abnormal states of the subject (an elderly person) by using data on the operating times of various sensors installed in an actual home. An algorithm based on the simple logical operation of ORing all sensor output signals is considered, following the idea that the sensors will not respond for a long time if an abnormality occurs in the subject. The effect of the setting of the no‐response time of the sensors on the detection rate is investigated. It is concluded that abnormalities can be satisfactorily detected, if a sensor response is absent for 2 hours and 15 minutes. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Syst Comp Jpn, 38(6): 34–42, 2007; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/scj.20411 Copyright © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Development of an information retrieval system of video‐based learning materials and a method to attach timecode information to speech data
Authors: Morimoto Yousuke , Murota Masao , Shimizu Yasutaka 
Published: April 2007

AbstractA system that can retrieve video‐based learning materials using Japanese language (SEMP: Search Engine for Motion Pictures) was developed in this research. SEMP allows full text retrieval of motion pictures using transcribed text within motion pictures and can also play back only portions that include the retrieved words. In order to provide accurate retrieval results, the required transcribed text of a motion picture is generated into text and prepared using a manual procedure by SEMP. Further, in order to play back portions that include the retrieved words, a program was developed to automatically execute an operation that attaches timecode information to the transcribed text. This program to attach timecode information uses speech recognition technology to attach timecode information to the transcribed text. We confirmed that the results of evaluation tests of the program to attach timecode information and the practical application were at high levels. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Syst Comp Jpn, 38(7): 53–64, 2007; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/scj.20639
A reinforcement learning method using a dynamic reinforcement function based on action selection probability
Authors: Hasegawa Yugo , Takada Satoko , Nakano Hidehiro , Arai Shuichi , Miyauchi Arata 
Published: April 2007

AbstractIn this paper, the authors propose Dynamic Profit Sharing as a reinforcement learning method in which a reinforcement function in Profit Sharing (PS) is dynamically changed based on action selection probabilities. While the rationality theorem in Profit Sharing gives a necessary and sufficient condition for obtaining rational solutions [1], the proposed method gives a condition for improving the learning efficiency while stochastically maintaining sufficient rationality. By dynamically determining the reinforcement function that satisfies this condition, the reward distribution efficiency can be increased and learning can be accomplished quickly even for an environment in which a great many actions are required until the goal state is reached. The authors perform experiments using maze and pursuit problems as examples to verify the effectiveness of the proposed method. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Syst Comp Jpn, 38(7): 1– 11, 2007; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/scj.20738
Salicylic acid‐induced taxol production and isopentenyl pyrophosphate biosynthesis in suspension cultures of Taxus chinensis var. mairei
Authors: Wang Yan‐Dong , Wu Jin‐Chuan , Yuan Ying‐Jin 
Published: April 2007

AbstractThe influences of salicylic acid (SA) on taxol production and isopentenyl pyrophosphate (IPP) biosynthesis pathways in suspension cultures of Taxus chinensis var. mairei were investigated by adding SA and mevastatin (MVS), a highly specific inhibitor of 3‐hydroxy‐3‐methylglutaryl‐CoA reductase in the mevalonate pathway for IPP biosynthesis, into the culture systems. The cell death and taxol production were induced upon the introduction of SA, and 20 mg/l was proved to be the optimal SA concentration in terms of the less damage to Taxus cells and marked activation of phenylalanine ammonia lyase (PAL). In the coexistence of SA (20 mg/l) and MVS (100 nmol/l), the taxol content (1.626 mg/g dry wt) was higher than that (0.252 mg/g dry wt) of the MVS‐treated system but almost equal to that (1.581 mg/g dry wt) of the SA‐treated system. It is thus inferred that the activated non‐mevalonate pathway should be responsible for the formation of IPP in taxol biosynthesis in the presence of SA.
Caregiver psychoeducation for schizophrenia: Is gender important?
Authors: McWilliams Stephen , Hill Shane , Mannion Nora , Kinsella Anthony , O'Callaghan Eadbhard 
Published: April 2007

AbstractIntroductionFemales care for individuals with chronic illness more commonly than males and have different attitudes to illness. Additionally, they experience greater burden and reduced quality of life, when compared to their male counterparts. Since knowledge has been shown to be related to burden, we sought to determine whether there were gender differences in knowledge acquisition during a six-week caregiver psychoeducation programme (CPP).MethodsCaregivers of people with schizophrenia completed a 23-item adapted version of the self-report Family Questionnaire (FQ) before and after the six-week CPP. Using a Generalized Linear Mixed Model, we studied the differences in proportions of correct answers before and after the programme by gender.ResultsOver a 46-month study period, 115 caregivers (58% female) participated in the programme. There was an overall improvement in knowledge with an effect size of 1.12. The improvement was statistically significant (P < 0.001) within each of six specific areas of knowledge. However, female caregivers gained more knowledge overall and specifically regarding signs and symptoms, recovery and especially caregiver support. Knowledge gains regarding medication were roughly equal, while male caregivers gained more knowledge about risk factors.DiscussionOur findings indicate that there are gender differences in the amount and type of knowledge gained during a CPP, with female caregivers showing greater knowledge acquisition than their male counterparts in most areas. Interventions designed to assist caregivers may be improved by targeting areas of knowledge specific to each gender. Such an approach might further reduce burden and improve the outcome for their relatives affected by schizophrenia.
A survey of the problems of normal 15‐year‐olds
Authors: Porteous Murray A. 
Published: April 2007

The problems experienced by “normal” adolescents are described and some indication given of the range and seriousness of problems from the adolescent viewpoint. Seven hundred and seventy‐five 15‐year‐olds from comprehensive schools in the North of England completed two questionnaires and a sub‐sample of these adolescents were interviewed in detail about their problem experiences, who they confided in and what they thought could be done about problems.The most common worries for the adolescents were concerned with Employment, Self‐Confidence and Adequacy and the Academic aspects of School. Least mentioned problems were in the areas of Material Deprivation, Physical Inadequacy and Home. The latter problems however affect a minority of adolescents (10–30 per cent) and appeared more difficult for them to solve. Peer acceptance was an area of worry which affected a considerable number, but problems regarding authority and control, etc. were less prevalent.
The evolution of Eos
Authors: Spilhaus Fred 
Published: April 2007

As you hold in your hands, or perhaps read on a screen, the first 2007 issue of Eos, I would like to tell you a bit about how this, AGU's first publication, got to be what it is today. It is and has always been a publication for all the members.Eos, Transactions, American Geophysical Union, at the top of the front page of your newspaper, is both a short pedigree and a formal title. Transactions, American Geophysical Union, first published in 1920, contained the proceedings of the first annual meeting of AGU and reports of the then seven sections. Transactions continued as an annual volume through 1944, frequently in multiple parts, and a few times in the 1920s did not appear at all. In its first 25 years it covered an increasing suite of AGU‐related meetings.
Knauss receives 2006 Waldo E. Smith Medal
Authors: Spinrad Richard W. , Knauss John A. 
Published: April 2007

John A. Knauss was awarded the Waldo E. Smith Medal at the AGU Fall Meeting honors ceremony, which was held on 13 December 2006 in San Francisco, Calif. The medal recognizes extraordinary service to geophysics.John Knauss has served as a leader and key decision‐maker in the scientific community and the public sector for nearly six decades. From the start of his career he focused on the most fundamental elements of the physical dynamics of the ocean, developing the seminal thinking in topics as diverse as turbulence effects on acoustics and deep ocean current observations. His early work on the Cromwell current established John as a leading researcher in the geophysics community. He quickly established a global reputation for his seminal work on the current structure of many major ocean circulation features. By the mid 1960s, Knauss had already established his scientific credentials and leadership role, with a robust bibliography of technical papers in the most prestigious scientific journals. Notably, in the years leading to this position, John also worked as a naval officer at the newly formed U.S. Office of Naval Research and as a staff member of the Scripps Institution of Oceanography (La Jolla, Calif.).
Nuclear test illuminates US array data quality
Authors: Ammon Charles J. , Lay Thorne 
Published: April 2007

The seismographic stations deployed as part of USArray are one component of the U.S. National Science Foundation‐funded major research equipment facility Earth‐Scope. When fully operational, USArray will include 400 broadband stations in a Transportable Array (TA) that will be deployed over a regular grid of sites with approximately 70 kilometer spacing. The TA will migrate across the United States over the next decade, ultimately occupying about 2000 sites in the conterminous United States and Alaska.While USArray's primary objective is to record seismic signals for research applications addressing the structure, evolution, and seismicity of North America, the high quality seismic recording capabilities of the TA installations allow data from small, distant events to be acquired and analyzed for other purposes, such as deep mantle studies, earthquake rupture investigations, and analysis of unusual seismic sources, such as underground nuclear explosions. The TA currently is undergoing its initial deployment in the western United States, and about 240 stations were operational at the time of the underground nuclear explosion detonated by North Korea on 9 October 2006 (Figure 1).
U.S. government, business make climate change proposals
Authors: Zielinski Sarah , Kumar Mohi 
Published: April 2007

Global climate change became a key topic of discussion Washington, D.C., in mid‐January as the president, Congress, and business leaders proposed some solutions to the problem.In his 23 January State of the Union address, President George W. Bush proposed reducing U.S. oil imports, particularly by reducing gasoline usage by 20% in 10 years and increasing the use of renewable and alternative fuels to 35 billion gallons by 2017.
New Madrid strain and postseismic transients
Authors: Rydelek Paul 
Published: April 2007

A crucial issue for the assessment of earthquake hazard in the New Madrid Seismic Zone (NMSZ) of the central United States is whether the small motions inferred from geodetic measurements are actually the result of strain accumulation that will eventually be released in damaging earthquakes. The interpretation of these measurements has led to an ongoing debate over the associated seismic risk and hazard assessment in the NMSZ [Zoback, 1999; Schweig et al., 1999; Newman et al., 1999a, 1999b; Stein et al., 2003]. The gist of the debate is whether or not models of high seismic hazard in this region are supported by the geodetic data and historic earthquake data.A recent report by Smalley et al. [2005] on GPS measurements across the Reelfoot fault suggested a relatively high strain rate, of the order of 10−7 per year, comparable to that normally associated with convergence at plate boundaries. To some, these measurements seemingly ended the debate since they were taken to be the result of rapid strain accumulation that could unleash a large, devastating earthquake, which in turn prompted a general public warning from a top U.S. Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) official [Brown, 2005]. Others, however, believe that the debate is not yet settled [Calais et al., 2005]; it has been argued that these GPS measurements show no statistically significant motion and instead reveal a puzzling offset in one of the GPS time series [Calais et al., 2006].
Banerjee awarded 2006 John Adam Fleming Medal
Authors: Hoffman Kenneth A. , Banerjee Subir 
Published: April 2007

Subir Kumar Banerjee was awarded the John Adam Fleming Medal at the AGU Fall Meeting honors ceremony, which was held on 13 December 2006, in San Francisco, Calif. The medal recognizes original research and technical leadership in geomagnetism, atmospheric electricity, aeronomy, space physics, and related sciences.Since his arrival in the early 1960s—holding degrees in physics and exploration geophysics from Indian universities, and a Cambridge University (U.K.) Ph.D. in geophysics—Subir Banerjee has maintained an eminent position in the world community of rock magnetists and paleomagnetists. His unique role began with seminal works on the physics of magnetism in natural and synthetic materials, revealing an uncanny insight into the nature of magnetic materials. These early works were instrumental in creating a greater understanding and appreciation of the importance of rock magnetism to problems in paleomagnetism. Over subsequent decades Subir has instilled in all of us who research the records gleaned from rocks of Earth's past magnetic field a fundamental awareness, namely, the need for any solid paleomagnetic conclusion to be anchored in a thorough understanding of the relevant rock magnetic conditions both at the time of and subsequent to the acquisition of remanence.
Committee plans for next decade of U.S. Earth observations
Authors: Zielinski Sarah 
Published: April 2007

A U.S. National Academies committee has created a comprehensive plan for Earth observations for the next decade, but the U.S. government will need to renew its investment in these satellite systems to accomplish the plan, according to the committee's 16 January report.The report, “Earth Science and Applications From Space: National Imperatives for the Next Decade and Beyond,” (available at http://books.nap.edU/catalog/l 1820.html) is the first ever ‘decadal survey’ for the Earth sciences. It is modeled after similar surveys from other scientific communities, such as astronomy. Around 100 Earth scientists and others from related fields were involved in the 2‐year process that created the report.
Political interference in climate science
Authors: Kumar Mohi 
Published: April 2007

“All of us have a right to our own views about the seriousness of global warming,” U.S. Rep. Henry Waxman (D‐Calif.), chair of the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee, said at a 30 January committee hearing held to examine political interference in climate science. “But we don't have a right to our own science.”Waxman added, “This hearing, and the committee's ongoing investigation into political interference, is aimed at ensuring the American people receive the best possible science.”
Most of NASA budget boost going to international space station
Authors: Kumar Mohi 
Published: April 2007

NASA will focus on expanding support for a permanent human presence in space while maintaining level science funding for previously planned projects, said NASA Administrator Michael Griffin at a 5 February briefing regarding the agency's Fiscal Year (FY) 2008 budget request.The proposed FY2008 budget allots $17.3 billion for NASA, an increase of 3.1% over the proposed budget for FY2007. Much of the additional funds would go to exploration capabilities and space operations—which would get an 11% increase in funding for a total of approximately $6.8 billion—primarily for shuttle missions to continue assembly of the International Space Station (ISS) and for station and flight maintenance.