bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Preparing a small business for sale
Authors: CLARKE L.
Published: August 2010

Have you made the decision to sell your veterinary practice and enter a new stage of lifé If so, the next big question is how do you maximise the sale price and minimise your capital gains tax. of such points and potentially bring them up to the standard of the rest of your business. For example is your store or practice in need of a refit́ Do you need to update equipment, train staff or review stock choices?
Articles
Authors: BELL ET , TORIBIO JALML , WHITE JD , MALIK R , NORRIS JM
Published: August 2010

ObjectivesTo establish the seroprevalence of Feline Coronavirus (FCoV) infection in two defined groups of cats in Sydney: owned and feral cats; ii) to identify factors associated with an increased risk of infection with FCoV; and iii) to establish the seroprevalence and FCoV antibody titres of owned cats with immunohistochemically confirmed feline infectious peritonitis (FIP).

DesignProspective multi‐institutional cross sectional study.

ProcedureSerum samples from owned cats presented to three inner city veterinary clinics in Sydney and feral cats from a colony in South Western Sydney over an 11‐month period were tested for FCoV antibodies using the Immunocomb test kit. The relationship between serological score and six major factors (breed, age, gender, number of cats per household, living environment and health status) in the owned cat sample population was analysed and compared to cats with FIP.

ResultsThe seroprevalence of FCoV infection in the sample population of owned and feral cats was 34% and 0%, respectively. The median Immunocomb scores of DSH, Persian, Siamese and Devon Rex cats were significantly lower than that of Burmese, BSH, Abyssinian, Birman, Ragdoll and Russian Blue. The median Immunocomb score of pedigree cats less than 2 years‐of‐age was significantly higher than for pedigree cats greater than 2 years‐of‐age. This distinction was not evident in DSH cats in these age groups. The number of cats per household at the time of blood collection had a strong positive association with Immunocomb score. The median Immunocomb score of cats with immunohistochemically confirmed FIP was significantly higher than cats in the sample population of owned cats but there was sufficient overlap between these two groups to make definitive diagnosis of FIP by serology impossible.

ConclusionThis represents the first seroprevalence study of FCoV in Australia. The major determinants of antibody score of owned cats identified in this study were breed, age and the number of cats per household. The significant relationship between the breed of the cat and the FCoV antibody titre further supports the notion, proposed previously by the authors, that breed related differences exist in the immunological response to FCoV infection.
Anthropometric measurements of the scapula, humerus, radius and ulna in Labrador dogs with and without elbow dysplasia
Authors: Davidson PT , Bullock‐Saxton J , Lisle A
Published: August 2010

Objective To determine if anthropometric measurements of the Labrador scapula, humerus, ulna and radius, or their ratios, are related to the presence of elbow dysplasia (ED).

Methods Digital calliper measurements of the lengths of the left scapula, humerus, radius and ulna, and their ratios, were analysed by gender in 103 volunteer Labradors (41 dogs, 62 bitches) against the ED radiological scores derived by the International Elbow Working Group (IEWG). The IEWG score is an umbrella score used to classify for ED and includes fragmented coronoid process, osteochondritis dessicans, incongruity and ununited anconeal process, the last of which occurs rarely in Labradors.

Results Of the 103 Labradors studied, 31 were diagnosed radiographically with ED (20 bitches (32%), 11 (27%) dogs). Scapula length was significantly shorter for bitches with ED (P = 0.02), but not for dogs with ED. However, dogs showed a trend for a difference in the ulna:radius ratio (P = 0.06), which bitches did not. Although a greater percentage of bitches than dogs had ED in this study, the difference was not statistically significant.

Conclusions Labrador bitches diagnosed with ED have a shorter scapula, which is a new finding associated with this condition. The difference in presentation associated with gender is unexpected and further research is recommended.
Evaluation of the thyroid status of Basenji dogs in Australia
Authors: Seavers A , Snow DH , Mason KV , Malik R
Published: August 2010

Objective To determine the thyroid status of Basenji dogs in Australia.

Methods Jugular or cephalic venipuncture blood samples were taken from 113 Basenji, comprising 47 males, 5 castrates, 48 entire and 13 spayed bitches, and sent on ice in plain and EDTA tubes to a single laboratory to determine haematocrit and serum concentrations of total thyroid hormone (thyroxine, TT4), thyroid‐stimulating hormone (TSH) and cholesterol. In a subgroup of 8 dogs with abnormal elevated TSH concentrations and subnormal TT4 concentrations, 5 were further examined by dynamic endocrine testing using recombinant human (rh) TSH (54 µg).

Results Ages ranged from 1 to 14 years and weight range was 6.5 to 14.0 kg. TT4 concentrations (nmol/L) ranged from 2 to 27, with a median of 13 and a mean ± SD of 13.0 ± 5.7. Importantly, 85/113 (75%) of TT4 values were lower than the normal laboratory reference range (17–37). TSH concentrations (ng/mL) ranged from 0.05 to 5.37, with a median of 0.16 and a mean ± SD of 0.3 ± 0.6.

Conclusions Basenji have a similar reference range for serum TSH, but a considerably lower reference range for TT4 (2–27 nmol/L) than most breeds and crossbreds, resembling the sight hounds in this respect. Given the difficulty of accurately measuring TT4 concentrations that are so low, concomitant serial TSH determinations are essential to properly asses thyroid function. Taken alone, TT4 determinations are only of use when the value is within the reference range, in which case a diagnosis of hypothyroidism is likely excluded.
Stochastic Optimization: a Review
Authors: Fouskakis Dimitris , Draper David
Published: August 2010

We review three leading stochastic optimization methods—simulated annealing, genetic algorithms, and tabu search. In each case we analyze the method, give the exact algorithm, detail advantages and disadvantages, and summarize the literature on optimal values of the inputs. As a motivating example we describe the solution—using Bayesian decision theory, via maximization of expected utility—of a variable selection problem in generalized linear models, which arises in the cost‐effective construction of a patient sickness‐at‐admission scale as part of an effort to measure quality of hospital care.
Bayesian Hypothesis Testing: a Reference Approach
Authors: Bernardo José M. , Rueda Raúl
Published: August 2010

For any probability modelM={p(x|θ, ω), θεΘ, ωεΩ} assumed to describe the probabilistic behaviour of dataxεX, it is argued that testing whether or not the available data arecompatiblewith the hypothesisH0={θ=θ0} is best considered as a formal decision problem on whether to use (a0), or not to use (a0), the simpler probability model (ornullmodel)M0={p(x|θ0, ω), ωεΩ}, where the loss differenceL(a0, θ, ω) –L(a0, θ, ω) is proportional to the amount of information δ(θ0, ω), which would be lost if the simplified modelM0were used as a proxy for the assumed modelM. For any prior distribution π(θ, ω), the appropriate normative solution is obtained by rejecting the null modelM0whenever the corresponding posterior expectation ∫∫δ(θ0, θ, ω)π(θ, ω|x)dθdω is sufficiently large.

Specification of a subjective prior is always difficult, and often polemical, in scientific communication. Information theory may be used to specify a prior, thereferenceprior, which only depends on the assumed modelM, and mathematically describes a situation where no prior information is available about the quantity of interest. The reference posterior expectation,d(θ0,x) =∫δπ(δ|x)dδ, of the amount of information δ(θ0, θ, ω) which could be lost if the null model were used, provides an attractive nonnegative test function, theintrinsic statistic, which is invariant under reparametrization.

The intrinsic statisticd(θ0,x) is measured in units of information, and it is easily calibrated (for any sample size and any dimensionality) in terms of some average log‐likelihood ratios. The corresponding Bayes decision rule, theBayesian reference criterion (BRC), indicates that the null modelM0should only be rejected if the posterior expected loss of information from using the simplified modelM0is too large or, equivalently, if the associated expected average log‐likelihood ratio is large enough.

The BRC criterion provides a general reference Bayesian solution to hypothesis testing which does not assume a probability mass concentrated onM0and, hence, it is immune to Lindley's paradox. The theory is illustrated within the context of multivariate normal data, where it is shown to avoid Rao's paradox on the inconsistency between univariate and multivariate frequentist hypothesis testing.
Nonparametric Varying‐Coefficient Models for the Analysis of Longitudinal Data
Authors: Wu Colin O. , Yu Kai F.
Published: August 2010

Longitudinal methods have been widely used in biomedicine and epidemiology to study the patterns of time‐varying variables, such as disease progression or trends of health status. Data sets of longitudinal studies usually involve repeatedly measured outcomes and covariates on a set of randomly chosen subjects over time. An important goal of statistical analyses is to evaluate the effects of the covariates, which may or may not depend on time, on the outcomes of interest. Because fully parametric models may be subject to model misspecification and completely unstructured nonparametric models may suffer from the drawbacks of “curse of dimensionality”, the varying‐coefficient models are a class of structural nonparametric models which are particularly useful in longitudinal analyses. In this article, we present several important nonparametric estimation and inference methods for this class of models, demonstrate the advantages, limitations and practical implementations of these methods in different longitudinal settings, and discuss some potential directions of further research in this area. Applications of these methods are illustrated through two epidemiological examples.
Graphical Diagnostics for Modeling Unstructured Covariance Matrices
Authors: Pourahmadi Mohsen
Published: August 2010

Prudent statistical analysis of correlated data requires accounting for the correlation among the measurements. Specifying a form for the covariance matrix of the data could reduce the high number of parameters of the covariance and increase efficiency of the inferences about the regression parameters. Motivated by the success of ordinary, partial and inverse correlograms in identifying parsimonious models for stationary time series, we introduce generalizations of these plots for nonstationary data. Their roles in detecting heterogeneity and correlation of the data and identifying parsimonious models for the covariance matrix are illuminated using a longitudinal dataset. Decomposition of a covariance matrix into “variance” and “dependence” components provides the necessary ingredients for the proposed graphs. This amounts to replacing a 3‐D correlation plot by a pair of 2‐D plots, providing complementary information about dependence and heterogeneity. Models identified and fitted using the variance‐correlation decomposition of a covariance matrix are not guaranteed to be positive definite, but those using the modified Cholesky decomposition are. Limitations of our graphical diagnostics for general multivariate data where the measurements are not (time‐) ordered are discussed.
On Choosing and Bounding Probability Metrics
Authors: Gibbs Alison L. , Su Francis Edward
Published: August 2010

When studying convergence of measures, an important issue is the choice of probability metric. We provide a summary and some new results concerning bounds among some important probability metrics/distances that are used by statisticians and probabilists. Knowledge of other metrics can provide a means of deriving bounds for another one in an applied problem. Considering other metrics can also provide alternate insights. We also give examples that show that rates of convergence can strongly depend on the metric chosen. Careful consideration is necessary when choosing a metric.
Bayesian International Evidence on Heavy Tails, Non‐Stationarity and Asymmetry over the Business Cycle
Authors: Tsionas Efthymios G.
Published: August 2010

Although leptokurtosis is fairly common in macroeconomic time series, agreement over what non‐normal distributions are plausible, is rare. The paper proposes a linear model that allows for trend versus difference stationarity and asymmetric behavior over the business cycle along with several distributional alternatives for the disturbance terms. It proposes computationally feasible Markov Chain Monte Carlo methods to perform Bayesian computations, applies the model to industrial production data of seven industrialized countries, and relies on prior predictive densities to compare models with Student‐t, symmetric stable, EGARCH, exponential power family and finite‐mixture‐of‐normals errors. The relationship between unit root inference, asymmetry and leptokurtosis is examined in detail using the exact, finite‐sample posteriors corresponding to the different models.
Environmental Statistics—A Personal View
Authors: Guttorp Peter
Published: August 2010

The field of environmental statistics is one of rapid growth at the moment. Environmental decisionmaking is prevalent in much of the world, and politicians and other decision makers are requesting new tools for understanding the state of the environment. In this paper, three case studies involving water pollution, air pollution, and climate change assessment are presented, together with brief descriptions some other areas of environmental statistics. A discussion of future directions of the field concludes the paper.
Statistical Assessment of Numerical Models*
Authors: Fuentes Montserrat , Guttorp Peter , Challenor Peter
Published: August 2010

Evaluation of physically based computer models for air quality applications is crucial to assist in control strategy selection. The high risk of getting the wrong control strategy has costly economic and social consequences. The objective comparison of modeled concentrations with observed field data is one approach to assessment of model performance. For dry deposition fluxes and concentrations of air pollutants there is a very limited supply of evaluation data sets. We develop a formal method for evaluation of the performance of numerical models, which can be implemented even when the field measurements are very sparse. This approach is applied to a current U.S. Environmental Protection Agency air quality model. In other cases, exemplified by an ozone study from the California Central Valley, the observed field is relatively data rich, and more or less standard geostatistical tools can be used to compare model to data. Yet another situation is when the cost of model runs is prohibitive, and a statistical approach to approximating the model output is needed. We describe two ways of obtaining such approximations.

A common technical issue in the assessment of environmental numerical models is the need for tools to estimate nonstationary spatial covariance structures. We describe in detail two such approaches.
Reflections on Fourteen Cryptic Issues Concerning the Nature of Statistical Inference*
Authors: Kardaun O. J. W. F. , Salomè D. , Schaafsma W. , Steerneman A. G. M. , Willems J. C. , Cox D.R.
Published: August 2010

The present paper provides the original formulation and a joint response of a group of statistically trained scientists to fourteen cryptic issues for discussion, which were handed out to the public by Professor Dr. D.R. Cox after his Bernoulli Lecture 1997 at Groningen University.
Some Aspects Of Neutral To Right Priors
Authors: Dey Jyotirmoy , Erickson R.V. , Ramamoorthi R.V.
Published: August 2010

Neutral to right priors are generalizations of Dirichlet process priors that fit in well with right‐censored data. These priors are naturally induced by increasing processes with independent increments which, in turn, may be viewed as priors for the cumulative hazard function. This connection together with the Lévy representation of independent increment processes provides a convenient means of studying properties of neutral to right priors.

This article is a review of the theoretical aspects of neutral to right priors and provides a number of new results on their structural properties. Notable among the new results are characterizations of neutral to right priors in terms of the posterior and the cumulative hazard function. We also show that neutral to right priors are of the following nature: Consistency of Bayes’ estimates implies consistency of the posterior, and posterior‐consistency for complete observations automatically yields posterior‐consistency for right‐censored data.
Multiple Imputation: Theory and Method
Authors: Zhang Paul
Published: August 2010

In this review paper, we discuss the theoretical background of multiple imputation, describe how to build an imputation model and how to create proper imputations. We also present the rules for making repeated imputation inferences. Three widely used multiple imputation methods, the propensity score method, the predictive model method and the Markov chain Monte Carlo (MCMC) method, are presented and discussed.
Proper and Improper Multiple Imputation
Authors: Nielsen Søren Feodor
Published: August 2010

Multiple imputation has become viewed as a general solution to missing data problems in statistics. However, in order to lead to consistent asymptotically normal estimators, correct variance estimators and valid tests, the imputations must be proper. So far it seems that only Bayesian multiple imputation, i.e. using a Bayesian predictive distribution to generate the imputations, or approximately Bayesian multiple imputations has been shown to lead to proper imputations in some settings. In this paper, we shall see that Bayesian multiple imputation does not generally lead to proper multiple imputations. Furthermore, it will be argued that for general statistical use, Bayesian multiple imputation is inefficient even when it is proper.
Dimension Reduction with Linear Discriminant Functions Based on an Odds Ratio Parameterization
Authors: van der Linde Angelika
Published: August 2010

The association of two random elements with positive joint probability density function is given by an odds ratio function. The covariance is an adequate description only in the case of two jointly Gaussian variables. The impact of the association structure on the set‐up and solution of problems of linear discrimination is investigated, and the results are related to standard techniques of multivariate analysis, particularly to canonical correlation analysis, analysis of contingency tables, discriminant analysis and multidimensional scaling

.

L'association entre deux éléments aléatoires ayant une densité conjointe positive est donnée par l'odds ratio fonction. La covariance n'est une description adéquate que dans le cas gaussien. L'impact de ce résultat en termes de réduction de la dimension et en terme de discrimination est examinée et les résultats sont rapportés aux techniques traditionelles de l'analyse discriminante et du scaling multidimensional.
Mortality Forecasting and Trend Shifts: an Application of the Lee–Carter Model to Swedish Mortality Data*
Authors: Lundström Hans , Qvist Jan
Published: August 2010

In this paper we examine how the Lee–Carter model fares with Swedish data for the period 1901–2001 and for segments of this period. We have choosen to censor ages less than age 40 as those ages only are of marginal interest to the forecast. At age 40 some 98 to 99 percent of the birth cohorts are survivors. In the study we only consider the unweighted K1 estimates. The Lee–Carter model provides very good fits to the data. When splitting up the base period there seems to be an interaction beween the age and time components of the model. In order to deal with the different phases of falling mortality for males and females possibly one should choose the past 25 years as a base in the model. Selecting the base period is however a judgmental issue depending on the main focus of the forecast. Is it long‐term, short‐term or, as in Sweden, a combination of both.?
Conditional Probabilistic Population Forecasting
Authors: Sanderson Warren C. , Scherbov Sergei , O'Neill Brian C. , Lutz Wolfgang
Published: August 2010

Since policy‐makers often prefer to think in terms of alternative scenarios, the question has arisen as to whether it is possible to make conditional population forecasts in a probabilistic context. This paper shows that it is both possible and useful to make these forecasts. We do this with two different kinds of examples. The first is the probabilistic analog of deterministic scenario analysis. Conditional probabilistic scenario analysis is essential for policy‐makers because it allows them to answer “what if” type questions properly when outcomes are uncertain. The second is a new category that we call “future jump‐off date forecasts”. Future jump‐off date forecasts are valuable because they show policy‐makers the likelihood that crucial features of today's forecasts will also be present in forecasts made in the future.
Conditional Probabilistic Population Projections: An Application to Climate Change
Authors: O'Neill Brian C.
Published: August 2010

Future changes in population size, composition, and spatial distribution are key factors in the analysis of climate change, and their future evolution is highly uncertain. In climate change analyses, population uncertainty has traditionally been accounted for by using alternative scenarios spanning a range of outcomes. This paper illustrates how conditional probabilistic projections offer a means of combining probabilistic approaches with the scenario‐based approach typically employed in the development of greenhouse gas emissions projections. The illustration combines a set of emissions scenarios developed by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) with existing probabilistic population projections from IIASA. Results demonstrate that conditional probabilistic projections have the potential to account more fully for uncertainty in emissions within conditional storylines about future development patterns, to provide a context for judging the consistency of individual scenarios with a given storyline, and to provide insight into relative likelihoods across storylines, at least from a demographic perspective. They may also serve as a step toward more comprehensive quantification of uncertainty in emissions projections.
A Comparative Simulation Study of Wavelet Shrinkage Estimators for Poisson Counts
Authors: Besbeas Panagiotis , De Feis Italia , Sapatinas Theofanis
Published: August 2010

Using computer simulations, the finite sample performance of a number of classical and Bayesian wavelet shrinkage estimators for Poisson counts is examined. For the purpose of comparison, a variety of intensity functions, background intensity levels, sample sizes, primary resolution levels, wavelet filters and performance criteria are employed. A demonstration is given of the use of some of the estimators to analyse a data set arising in high‐energy astrophysics. Following the philosophy of reproducible research, the Matlabprograms and real‐life data example used in this study are made freely available.
A Foundational Justification for a Weighted Likelihood Approach to Inference
Authors: Bowater Russell J.
Published: August 2010

Two types of probability are discussed, one of which is additive whilst the other is non‐additive. Popular theories that attempt to justify the importance of the additivity of probability are then critically reviewed. By making assumptions the two types of probability put forward are utilised to justify a method of inference which involves betting preferences being revised in light of the data. This method of inference can be viewed as a justification for a weighted likelihood approach to inference where the plausibility of different values of a parameter θ based on the data X̄ is measured by the quantity q(θ) =l(X̄, θ)w(θ), where l(X̄, θ) is the likelihood function and w(θ) is a weight function. Even though, unlike Bayesian inference, the method has the disadvantageous property that the measure q(θ) is generally non‐additive, it is argued that the method has other properties which may be considered very desirable and which have the potential to imply that when everything is taken into account, the method is a serious alternative to the Bayesian approach in many situations. The methodology that is developed is applied to both a toy example and a real example.
Statistical Inference under Symmetry
Authors: Helland Inge S.
Published: August 2010

We explore the consequences of adjoining a symmetry group to a statistical model. Group actions are first induced on the sample space, and then on the parameter space. It is argued that the right invariant measure induced by the group on the parameter space is a natural non‐informative prior for the parameters of the model. The permissible sub‐parameters are introduced, i.e., the subparameters upon which group actions can be defined. Equivariant estimators are similarly defined. Orbits of the group are defined on the sample space and on the parameter space; in particular the group action is called transitive when there is only one orbit. Credibility sets and confidence sets are shown (under right invariant prior and assuming transitivity on the parameter space) to be equal when defined by permissible sub‐parameters and constructed from equivariant estimators. The effect of different choices of transformation group is illustrated by examples, and properties of the orbits on the sample space and on the parameter space are discussed. It is argued that model reduction should be constrained to one or several orbits of the group. Using this and other natural criteria and concepts, among them concepts related to design of experiments under symmetry, leads to links towards chemometrical prediction methods and towards the foundation of quantum theory.
Causality and Causal Models: A Conceptual Perspective*
Authors: Frosini Benito V.
Published: August 2010

This paper aims at displaying a synthetic view of the historical development and the current research concerning causal relationships, starting from the Aristotelian doctrine of causes, following with the main philosophical streams until the middle of the twentieth century, and commenting on the present intensive research work in the statistical domain. The philosophical survey dwells upon various concepts of cause, and some attempts towards picking out spurious causes. Concerning statistical modelling, factorial models and directed acyclic graphs are examined and compared. Special attention is devoted to randomization and pseudo‐randomization (for observational studies) in view of avoiding the effect of possible confounders. An outline of the most common problems and pitfalls, encountered in modelling empirical data, closes the paper, with a warning to be very cautious in modelling and inferring conditional independence between variables.
A Statistical Approach to Assess Referendum Results: the Venezuelan Recall Referendum 2004
Authors: Cordero Maria M. Febres , Márquez Bernardo
Published: August 2010

This article presents a statistical approach to assess the coherence of official results of referendum processes. The statistical analysis described is divided in four phases, according to the methodology used and the corresponding results: (1) Initial Study, (2) Quantification of irregular certificates of election, (3) Identification of irregular voting centers and (4) Estimation of recall referendum results.

The technique of cluster analysis is applied to address the issue of heterogeneity of the parishes with respect to their political preferences.

The Venezuelan recall referendum 2004 is the case study we used to apply the proposed methodology, based on the data published by the “Consejo Nacional Electoral” (CNE‐National Electoral Council). Finally, we present the conclusions of the study which we summarize as follows: The percentage of irregular certificates of election is between 22.2% and 26.5% of the total; 18% of the voting centers show an irregular voting pattern in their certificates of election, the votes corresponding to this irregularity are around 2,550,000; The result estimate, using the unbiased votes as representative of the population for the percentage of YES votes against President Chávez is 56.4% as opposed to the official result of 41%.
Estimation in Two‐Stage Models with Heteroscedasticity
Authors: Buonaccorsi John
Published: August 2010

A surprising number of important problems can be cast in the framework of estimating a mean and variance using data arising from a two‐stage structure. The first stage is a random sampling of “units” with some quantity of interest associated with the unit. The second stage produces an estimate of that quantity and usually, but not always, an estimated standard error, which may change considerably across units. Heteroscedasticity in the estimates over different units can arise for a number of reasons, including variation associated with the unit and changing sampling effort over units. This paper presents a broad discussion of the problem of making inferences for the population mean and variance associated with the unobserved true values at the first stage of sampling. A careful discussion of the causes of heteroscedasticity is given, followed by an examination of ways in which inferences can be carried out in a manner that is robust to the nature of the within unit heteroscedasticity. Among the conclusions are that under any type of heteroscedasticity, an unbiased estimate of the mean and the variance of the estimated mean can be obtained by using the estimates as if they were true unobserved values from the first stage. The issue of using the mean versus a weighted average which tries to account for the heteroscedasticity is also discussed. An unbiased estimate of the population variance is given and the variance of this estimate and its covariance with the estimated mean is provided under various types of heteroscedasticity. The two‐stage setting arises in many contexts including the one‐way random effects models with replication, meta‐analysis, multi‐stage sampling from finite populations and random coefficients models. We will motivate and illustrate the problem with data arising from these various contexts with the goal of providing a unified framework for addressing such problems.
Virtual Experiments and Their Use in Teaching Experimental Design
Authors: Darius Paul L. , Portier Kenneth M. , Schrevens Eddie
Published: August 2010

The ability to design experiments in an appropriate and efficient way is an important skill, but students typically have little opportunity to get that experience. Most textbooks introduce standard general‐purpose designs, and then proceed with the analysis of data already collected. In this paper we explore a tool for gaining design experience: computer‐based virtual experiments. These are software environments which mimic a real situation of interest and invite the user to collect data to answer a research question. Two prototype environments are described. The first one is suitable for a course that deals with screening or response surface designs, the second one allows experimenting with block and row‐column designs. They are parts of a collection we developed called ENV2EXP, and can be freely used over the web. We also describe our experience in using them in several courses over the last few years.
Hydrologic Modeling of an Extreme Flood in the Guadalupe River in Texas1
Authors: Sharif Hatim O. , Hassan Almoutaz A. , Bin‐Shafique Sazzad , Xie Hongjie , Zeitler Jon
Published: August 2010

Sharif, Hatim O., Almoutaz A. Hassan, Sazzad Bin‐Shafique, Hongjie Xie, and Jon Zeitler, 2010. Hydrologic Modeling of an Extreme Flood in the Guadalupe River in Texas. Journal of the American Water Resources Association (JAWRA) 1‐11. DOI: 10.1111/j.1752‐1688.2010.00459.x

Abstract:  Many of the storms creating the greatest rainfall depths in Texas, measured over durations ranging from one minute to 48 hours, have occurred in the Texas Hill Country area. The upstream portion of the Guadalupe River Basin, located in the Texas Hill Country, is susceptible to flooding and rapid runoff due to thin soils, exposed bedrock, and sparse vegetation, in addition to the Balcones Escarpment uplift contributing to precipitation enhancement. In November 2004, a moist air mass from the Gulf of Mexico combined with moist air from the Pacific Ocean resulted in the wettest November in Texas since 1895. Although the peak discharges were not the highest on record, the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) stream gauge on the Guadalupe River at Gonzales, Texas reported a daily mean discharge of 2,304 m3/s on November 23, 2004 (average discharge is 53 m3/s). In this paper, we examine the meteorological conditions that led to this event and apply a two‐dimensional, physically based, distributed‐parameter hydrologic model to simulate the response of a portion of the basin during this event. The study results clearly demonstrate the ability of physically based, distributed‐parameter simulations, driven by operational radar rainfall products, to adequately model the cumulative effect of two rainfall events and route inflows from three upstream watersheds without the need for significant calibration.
The interplay between the effectiveness of the grass‐endophyte mutualism and the genetic variability of the host plant
Authors: Gundel Pedro E. , Omacini Marina , Sadras Victor O. , Ghersa Claudio M.
Published: August 2010

Neotyphodiumendophytic fungi, the asexual state ofEpichloëspecies, protect cool‐season grasses against stresses. The outcomes ofNeotyphodium‐grass symbioses are agronomically relevant as they may affect the productivity of pastures. It has been suggested that the mutualism is characteristic of agronomic grasses and that differential rates of gene flow between both partners’ populations are expected to disrupt the specificity of the association and, thus, the mutualism in wild grasses. We propose that compatibility is necessary but not sufficient to explain the outcomes ofNeotyphodium‐grass symbiosis, and advance a model that links genetic compatibility, mutualism effectiveness, and endophyte transmission efficiency. For endophytes that reproduce clonally and depend on allogamous hosts for reproduction and dissemination, we propose that this symbiosis works as an integrated entity where gene flow promotes its fitness and evolution. Compatibility between the host plant and the fungal endophyte would be high in genetically close parents; however, mutualism effectiveness and transmission efficiency would be low in fitness depressed host plants. Increasing the genetic distance of mating parents would increase mutualism effectiveness and transmission efficiency. This tendency would be broken when the genetic distance between parents is high (out‐breeding depression). Our model allows for testable hypotheses that would contribute to understand the coevolutionary origin and future of the endophyte‐grass mutualism.
Gun Barrel Coercion: A Brief Exploration of Exchange Theory in the Anglo‐Hibernian Case
Authors: Githens‐Mazer Jonathan , O'Duffy Brendan
Published: August 2010

The power of political structures has a specific internal dynamic. On the basis of this power, the members may pretend to a special ‘prestige,’ and their pretensions may influence the external conduct of the power structures. Experience teaches that claims to prestige have always played into the origin of wars…The realm of ‘honour,’ which is comparable to the ‘status order’ within a social structure, pertains also to the interrelations of political structures. (Max Weber, Ch. 6 ‘Structures of Power’ in Gerth, H.H. and Mills, C.W. 1946 From Max Weber: Essays in Sociology).
Cultural Identifications, Political Representations and National Project(s) on the Symbolic Arena of the Orange Revolution
Authors: Narvselius Eleonora
Published: August 2010

The article is a study of the interplay of several important generators of meanings of the Orange Revolution, namely, background representations, cultural scripts, actors and audiences. The events of the Orange Revolution are interpreted as a symbolically charged socio‐cultural performance. The analysis is focused on the cultural identity component of the political representations of the main stage characters (two presidential candidates) which were constructed in such a way that they explicated visions of national development and vectors of identity work that currently coexist and compete in Ukrainian society. The author suggests that the symbolic arena of the Orange Revolution revealed that a culturally informed project of nation building, well in line with aspirations of wider circles of nationally conscious Ukrainian intelligentsia, might become one of the crucial factors of political mobilisation in present‐day Ukraine.
Skiing Nation: Towards an Anthropology of Slovenia's National Sport
Authors: Kotnik Vlado
Published: August 2010

This paper explores the role of alpine skiing in Slovenian culture and society by focusing on the construction and maintenance of a sporting national story. The research, which is based on discourse analysis and the ethnographic method, suggests that in Slovenia, alpine skiing, with its natural sceneries, amateurish background, sporting events, media attention and national heroes, is one of the main sports arenas in which the Slovenian nation‐imagining, nationalism and national identity have been exercised throughout the twentieth century. The national importance of alpine skiing was further confirmed after Slovenia's secession from Yugoslavia. The findings also suggest that the media, especially television, perpetuated the myth of skiing as the Slovenian national sport and as an autochthonous Slovenian sporting practice.
Identities in India: Region, Nationality and Nationalism ‐ A Theoretical Framework
Authors: Behera Subhakanta
Published: August 2010

Given the complexity of identity in India, where ethnicity alone can only inadequately define constituent regional communities such as the Oriyas, Bengalis, Tamils and Keralites, a regional perspective provides a more useful analytical approach. In India, a territorially defined region is the most inclusive segment, which has linguistic, historical and socio‐cultural connotations. Apart from the historical importance of region, it has now taken many ethnic characteristics within its ambit. While discussing the importance of ‘region’ in India, this article tries to show the weakness of an ethnic perspective in defining the identity of various language‐based, but geographically confined, communities of India. The article also tries to explore how regional identities can be reconciled with a pan‐Indian ideology. Perhaps in the post‐modern world, this is the greatest challenge that India has to grapple with, and one that requires judicious policies and practices
(Re)imagining the Muslim Identity in Singapore
Authors: Tan Charlene
Published: August 2010

This paper discusses how the Singapore government attempted to (re)imagine the Muslim identity in Singapore based on the crisis of the Jemaah Islamiah (JI) arrests in 2002. The paper argues that the government sought to resolve and manage the crisis using the combined apparatuses of the mass media, education and administrative regulations. The paper further analyses the constraints and challenges faced by the government in the process of (re)constructing and sustaining the Singapore Muslim identity. The attempt by the Singapore government provides a useful example of how the government of a multi‐ethnic, multi‐religious and multi‐lingual country has responded to internal terrorist threats by (re)imagining the Muslim identity, and the problems and controversies such a (re)imaging process generates.
A Chinese Malaysian in Taiwan: Negarakuku and a Song of Exile in the Diaspora
Authors: Koh Keng We
Published: August 2010

This article examines the controversy surrounding a Chinese Malaysian student's use of the Malaysian anthem in a rap song criticising the corruption of Malaysia and its marginalisation of the ethnic Chinese. Race and religion have been crucial in the imagining of and contestations over the Malaysian nation. They became taboo subjects in the public sphere after the 13 May racial riots in 1969. Language, education, and the mass media became important fields of contestation between the Chinese communities and the Malay‐dominant government. With the growing state control of traditional public media such as television, radio, and newspapers, the internet thus became an important space for the stifled public sphere. Concomitantly, dissatisfaction with the dominant party coalition has led increasingly to the growth of a multi‐ethnic opposition that encompasses the different ethnic groups. Wee's songs and the political backlash resulting from the government's attempts to suppress it exemplify the convergence of these forces. They also tell us something about the ways in which ethnicity, diaspora, and nationalism intertwine in the imaginings and world‐view of a Chinese Malaysian student who felt himself displaced by the national education system. Taiwan, an important cultural and political node in the Chinese overseas imagination, constituted escape, opportunity and an important cultural and political influence but he remains oriented towards his homeland. His songs show how his identity is framed within the local (Muar), the ethnic (vis‐a‐vis the Malays on the one hand and the other Chinese linguistic communities on the other) and the nation (Malaysia and vis‐à‐vis Singapore).
SNP detection in Na/K ATP‐ase gene α1 subunit of bisexual and parthenogenetic Artemia strains by RFLP screening
Authors: MANAFFAR R. , ZARE S. , AGH N. , ABDOLAHZADEH N. , SOLTANIAN S. , SORGELOOS P. , BOSSIER P. , VAN STAPPEN G.
Published: August 2010

In order to find a marker for differentiating between a bisexual and a parthenogenetic Artemia strain, Exon‐7 of the Na/K ATPase α1 subunit gene was screened by RFLP technique. The results revealed a constant synonymous SNP (single nucleotide polymorphism) in digestion by the Tru1I enzyme that was consistent with these two types of Artemia. This SNP was identified as an accurate molecular marker for discrimination between bisexual and parthenogenetic Artemia. According to the Nei’s genetic distance (1973), the lowest genetic distance was found between individuals from Artemia urmiana Günther 1890 and parthenogenetic populations, making the described marker the first marker to easily distinguish between these two cooccurring species.
Comparison of visual performance of silicone and acrylic multifocal IOLs utilizing the same diffractive design
Authors: Hütz Werner W. , Jäckel Richard , Hoffman Peter C.
Published: August 2010

Purpose:  To compare the visual outcomes in patients implanted with a diffractive silicone multifocal in one eye and a diffractive acrylic multifocal IOL in their fellow eye.

Setting:  Augenklinik, Bad Hersfeld, Germany.

Methods:  Forty‐two eyes of 21 cataract surgery patients were randomized to undergo implantation with either a silicone diffractive multifocal IOL (Tecnis ZM900, Abbott Medical Optics, Santa Ana, CA, USA) or an acrylic diffractive multifocal IOL (Tecnis ZMA00, AMO). The two IOLs share the same design platform. Outcome measurements included uncorrected and best‐corrected distance and near visual acuity, spherical equivalent, reading speed and reading acuity, as well as photic phenomena. Patients were followed for 6 months following surgery.

Results:  The mean spherical equivalent was 0.161 D (acrylic) and 0.065 D (silicone). The mean uncorrected visual acuity was 0.17 logMAR for the acrylic eyes and 0.17 logMAR for the silicone eyes, a difference of 0.01 (p = 0.861). The mean best‐corrected visual acuity (BCVA) was 0.08 for the acrylic eyes and 0.10 for the silicone lens, a difference of 0.03 (p = 0.321).

Conclusions:  Given that the designs of the lenses are identical and that this was a contralateral eye study, it is reasonable to expect that the results between the two eyes and two types of lenses were similar. Both versions of this lens provide excellent visual function.
Selaginella lakkidiana sp. nov. (Selaginellaceae) from India
Authors: Nisha P. , Nampy Santhosh , Joby Paul
Published: August 2010

Selaginella lakkidiana Nisha, Nampy & Joby sp. nov. from Lakkidi, the Western Ghats of India is described and illustrated. The new species is closely allied to S. chrysorrhizos Spring, but differs by a serrate and smaller sporophyll, smooth megaspores, and reddish brown and pitted microspores.
Calanthe yaoshanensis sp. nov. (Orchidaceae) from northeastern Yunnan, China
Authors: Ren Zong‐xin , Wang Hong , Jin Xiao‐hua , Li De‐zhu
Published: August 2010

A new species of Orchidaceae, Calanthe yaoshanensis Z. X. Ren & H. Wang from northeastern Yunnan, China, is described and illustrated. It is morphologically similar to C. brevicornu Lindley, from which it differs by having a glabrous column and an elliptical middle lobe with three triangular lamellae. The morphological differences between C. yaoshanensis and related species are discussed. The habitat was investigated and its conservation status was assessed as a ‘Critically Endangered’ (CR).
What Kind of Resource Is Language and Why Does It Matter for German Studies?
Authors: Byrnes Heidi
Published: August 2010

This article argues that, in order to flourish, German Studies must come to see language as a social semiotic resource that construes a cultural world. Pivotal for this understanding is an expanded notion of lexico grammar as the central meaning‐making dynamic for oral and written texts. This paper presents key aspects of such a textually and meaning‐oriented notion of grammar and suggests how it might inform the integrated teaching and learning of culture and language.
Broch's 1903: Esch oder die Anarchie: Desiring the Abject Outside
Authors: Hans Anjeana K.
Published: August 2010

This article focuses on Hermann Broch's 1903: Esch oder die Anarchie, the second part of his 1930 trilogy Die Schlafwandler. Concentrating on the philosophical notion of a “decline of values” that Broch articulates in the text, the analysis reads Esch through the lens of current gender theory, examining the intersection between desire and subjectivity by focusing on the trajectories of desire connecting the protagonist, Esch, with the characters around him, particularly Bertrand, a homosexual character who comes to function as Esch's double. The analysis suggests that, with in the framework of the protagonist's search for direction and stable identity in a society devoid of a stable system of values, homosexual desire becomes representative of an “other” position that, while potentially liberating, is sacrificed in service of the ordering‐though out‐dated‐heterosexual value system.
Another Meditation on Das Erdbeben in Chili: Heinrich von Kleist and the Work of the Reader1
Authors: Norton Amanda
Published: August 2010

Heinrich von Kleist's Das Erdbeben in Chili (1807) has fascinated readers for two centuries. The tale of Josephe, Jeronimo, and the tiny Philipp combines many elements—a love affair, an illegitimate child, a natural disaster, a massacre outside a house of God—of tremendous storytelling. This article reconsiders the conventional understanding of some parts of this story. It focuses in particular on Kleist's presentation of certain constellations of family members and suggests that the family structure is not as sound as it may seem. By examining some of the mysterious statements and the interactions among the central characters in the story, this article highlights the interpretive challenge that the reader of Das Erdbeben faces. It seeks further to illuminate more generally connections among narration, truth and the act of reading.