bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
QUALITY OF LIFE IN PATIENTS WITH CHRONIC PANCREATITIS AND RELATED ANEMIA
Authors: Palykhata M. V. , Babinets L. S. , Pronyuk O. V.
Published: July 2017

Вивчення якості життя (ЯЖ) у всьому світі є однією з актуальних проблем у медицині. Опитувальники є надійним і дійсним інструментом для вимірювання ЯЖ з точки зору пацієнта. Шкала часто використовуються з упевненістю у пацієнтів з хронічними захворюваннями, що потребують довготривалої терапії. У пацієнтів із хронічним панкреатитом (ХП) і супутньою анемією частіше зустрічаються супутні когнітивні порушення у молодих жінок, більший ризик летальності та госпіталізацій у дорослих і особливо у пацієнтів літнього віку, порушення терморегуляції, дисфункція імунної системи, шлунково-кишкові розлади, інфекція Helicobacter pylori, які ще більше знижують ЯЖ. Наше дослідження ЯЖ у пацієнтів із ХП і ХП із супутнім анемічним синдромом за допомогою опитувальників SF-36 і GSRS, продемонстрували значно нижчий рівень ЯЖ у пацієнтів із анемією. Це свідчить про об’єктивну обтяжувальну роль супутньої анемії на перебіг основного захворювання.
ОЦІНКА ЯКОСТІ ЖИТТЯ ТА ПСИХОЕМОЦІЙНОГО СТАТУСУ У ХВОРИХ НА ХРОНІЧНИЙ ПАНКРЕАТИТ
Authors: Kitura O. Ye. , Potyazhenko M. M. , Nevojt A. V. , Sokolyuk N. L. , Velychko Ye. O.
Published: July 2017

В зв’язку із важливістю і недостатньою кількістю досліджень, що відображають рівень психоемоційного стану хворих на хронічний панкреатит, метою роботи було оцінити якість життя та ступінь тривожності у хворих на ХП. У 68 хворих на ХП оцінені за візуальною аналоговою шкалою – інтенсивність больового синдрому, за опитувальником GSRS – якість життя, за опитувальником Ч.Д.Спілбергера-Ю.Л.Ханіна – наявність тривожних розладів. Встановлено, що у хворих на ХП наявні вищий рівень реактивної та особистісної тривожності, ніж в групі контролю, відмічаються погіршення якості життя, суттєві зміни в психоемоційному статусі, погіршення якості життя має прямий зв'язок з виразністю больового, діарейного синдромів.
ПОШИРЕНIСТЬ БЕССИМПТОМНО ГIПЕРУРИКЕМII СЕРЕД ХВОРИХ З IШЕМIЧНОЮ ХВОРОБОЮ
Authors: Kadyrova F. , Nasyrova Z. , Tashkenbaeva E. , Togaev D.
Published: July 2017

Резюме Нами обстежено 206 хворих зi стабiльною стенокардiєю напруги, зних жiнок 90(43,7%) чоловiкiв 116(56,3%) середнiй вiк становив 59,5±11,1 року. За результатами дослiдження у 44% хворих на ІХС виявлена позитивна кореляцiйний зв̉ язок з основними  компонентами метаболiчного синдрому (МС), що подтверждает про роль БГУ в розвиток кардiоваскулярного i вимагає превентивноi корекцii урикозуричними препаратами.
Оцінка якості життя у прооперованих хворих з приводу колоректального раку, ускладненого обтураційною кишковою непрохідністю з різними типами завершення оперативного втручання
Authors: Grytsenko S. Y.
Published: July 2017

Мета дослідження – Провести оцінку та порівняння якості життя хворих на коло ректальний рак, ускладнений обтураційною кишковою непрохідністю з різними типами завершення оперативного втручання.Матеріали і методи. Проаналізовано безпосередні результати якості життя  55  хворих на колоректальний рак, ускладнений обтураційною кишковою непрохідністю з різними типами завершення оперативного втручання.Результати досліджень та їх обговорення. Практично всі пацієнти, охоплені нашим дослідженням, у перші 2 місяці після операції відчували погіршення фізичного та психоемоційного стану у зв’язку з пристосуванням до користування стомою, однак у терміни 6 місяців та 1 рік пацієнти першої групи відмітили покращення свого стану.
Тяжельій псевдомембранозньій колит – особенности течения, диагностики и лечения: описание клинического случая
Authors: Lysiuk Yu. S. , Kohut L. M. , Romanchak D. L.
Published: July 2017

Мета роботи: На підставі вивчення клінічного випадку акцентувати увагу на труднощах діагностики та лікування тяжкого псевдомембранозного коліту (ПМК).Матеріали і методи. Проспективно вивчено особливості перебігу тяжкої форми ПМК у пацієнтки, яка перебувала на лікуванні у Комунальній міській клінічній лікарні швидкої медичної допомоги м. Львова. Діагностика захворювання ґрунтувалася на клінічних даних, результатах ультрасонографії (УСГ), фібросигмоскопії (ФСС), комп’ютерної томографії (КТ).Результати досліджень та їх обговорення. У статті наведено випадок розвитку псевдомембранозного коліту у 42-річної пацієнтки після доопераційної хіміотерапії та короткого режиму застосування антибактерійного препарату (цефтріаксон) у післяопераційному періоді. Описано клінічну симптоматику тяжкого перебігу коліту, результати діагностики за допомогою ультрасонографії, сигмоскопії, комп’ютерної томографії. Проаналізовано труднощі лікування, необхідність корекції лікувальних схем залежно від перебігу процесу та ефективність тривалого призначення ванкоміцину у пульс-режимі.
Tracking Adventitial Fibroblast Contribution to Disease
Authors: Kuwabara Jill T. , Tallquist Michelle D.
Published: July 2017

Cells present in the adventitia, or outermost layer of the blood vessel, contribute to the progression of vascular diseases, such as atherosclerosis, hypertension, and aortic dissection. The adventitial fibroblast of the aorta is the prototypic perivascular fibroblast, but the adventitia is composed of multiple distinct cell populations. Therefore, methods for uniquely identifying the fibroblast are critical for a better understanding of how these cells contribute to disease processes. A popular method for distinguishing adventitial cell types relies on the use of genetic tools in the mouse to trace and manipulate these cells. Because lineage tracing relying on Cre-recombinase expressing mice is used more frequently in studies of vascular disease, it is important to outline the advantages and limitations of these genetic tools. The purpose of this article is to provide an overview of the various genetic tools available in the mouse for the study of resident adventitial fibroblasts.
Targeted Disruption of JCAD (Junctional Protein Associated With Coronary Artery Disease)/KIAA1462, a Coronary Artery Disease–Associated Gene Product, Inhibits Angiogenic Processes In Vitro and In Vivo
Authors: Hara Tetsuya , Monguchi Tomoko , Iwamoto Noriko , Akashi Masaya , Mori Kenta , Oshita Toshihiko , Okano Mitsumasa , Toh Ryuji , Irino Yasuhiro , Shinohara Masakazu , Yamashita Yui , Shioi Go , Furuse Mikio , Ishida Tatsuro , Hirata Ken-ichi
Published: July 2017

Objective—

Recent genome-wide association studies newly identified the human KIAA1462 gene as a new locus for coronary artery disease. However, the function of the gene product, named JCAD (junctional protein associated with coronary artery disease), is unknown. Because JCAD is expressed at cell–cell junctions in endothelial cells, we hypothesized and tested whether JCAD regulates angiogenic processes in vitro and in vivo.

Approach and Results—

Cell culture experiments revealed impaired angiogenic ability (proliferation, migration, and cord formation) by the knockdown of JCAD with siRNA (
P
<0.05 versus control siRNA). We have generated mice lacking JCAD (mKIAA1462
−/−
) by gene-targeted deletion of JCAD to address in vivo angiogenic function. mKIAA1462
−/−
mice did not show morphological differences in development of retinal vasculature. Ex vivo aortic ring model demonstrated impaired neovascularization in aorta from mKIAA1462
−/−
mice than control wild-type mice (
P
<0.05). Tumor growth was assessed by monitoring tumor volume after the subcutaneous injection of melanoma, LLC (Lewis lung carcinoma), and E0771 cells into the mice. mKIAA1462
−/−
mice exhibited significantly smaller tumor volume compared with wild-type mice (
P
<0.001). Histological assessment of the tumor exhibited less smooth muscle actin–positive neovascularization determined by CD31-positive vascular structure in tumor of mKIAA1462
−/−
mice than wild-type mice, indicating that knockdown of JCAD inhibited the vascular maturation in pathological angiogenic process.

Conclusions—

These in vitro and in vivo studies suggest that JCAD has a redundant functional role in physiological angiogenesis but serves a pivotal role in pathological angiogenic process after birth.
Automated Quantification of Low-Amplitude Abnormal QRS Peaks From High-Resolution ECG Recordings Predicts Arrhythmic Events in Patients With Cardiomyopathy
Authors: Das Moloy , Suszko Adrian M. , Nayyar Sachin , Viswanathan Karthik , Spears Danna A. , Tomlinson George , Pinter Arnold , Crystal Eugene , Dalvi Rupin , Krishnan Sridhar , Chauhan Vijay S.
Published: July 2017

Background—

Cardiomyopathy patients are at risk of sudden death, typically from scar-related abnormalities of electrical activation that promote ventricular tachyarrhythmias. Abnormal intra-QRS peaks may provide a measure of altered activation. We hypothesized that quantification of such QRS peaks (QRSp) in high-resolution ECGs would predict arrhythmic events in implantable cardioverter–defibrillator (ICD)–eligible cardiomyopathy patients.

Methods and Results—

Ninety-nine patients with ischemic or non-ischemic dilated cardiomyopathy undergoing prophylactic ICD implantation were prospectively enrolled (age 62±11 years, left ventricular ejection fraction 27±7%). High-resolution (1024 Hz) digital 12-lead ECGs were recorded during intrinsic rhythm. QRSp was quantified for each precordial lead as the total number of low-amplitude deflections that deviated from their respective naive QRS template. The primary end point of arrhythmic events was defined as appropriate ICD therapy or sustained ventricular tachyarrhythmias. After a median follow-up of 24 (15–43) months, 20 (20%) patients had arrhythmic events. Both QRSp and QRS duration were greater in those with arrhythmic events (both
P
<0.001) and this was consistent for QRSp for both cardiomyopathy types. In a multivariable Cox regression model that included age, left ventricular ejection fraction, QRS duration, and QRSp, only QRSp was an independent predictor of arrhythmic events (hazard ratio, 2.1;
P
<0.001). Receiver operating characteristic analysis revealed that a QRSp ≥2.25 identified arrhythmic events with greater sensitivity (100% versus 70%,
P
<0.05) and negative predictive value (100% versus 89%,
P
<0.05) than QRS duration ≥120 ms.

Conclusions—

QRSp measured from high-resolution digital 12-lead ECGs independently predicts ventricular tachyarrhythmias in ICD-eligible cardiomyopathy patients. This novel QRS morphology index has the potential to improve sudden death risk stratification and patient selection for prophylactic ICD therapy.
Cerebral Microbleeds in Murine Amyloid Angiopathy
Authors: Marinescu Marilena , Sun Li , Fatar Marc , Neubauer Andreas , Schad Lothar , van Ryn Joanne , Lehmann Lorenz , Veltkamp Roland
Published: July 2017

Background and Purpose—

Cerebral microbleeds (CMBs) predispose patients to intracerebral hemorrhage. Preclinical models to examine the effects of antithrombotic treatments on the development of clinically overt intracerebral hemorrhage are needed. We examined the natural course of CMB development and the effects of long-term anticoagulation with warfarin or dabigatran on cerebral micro- and macrohemorrhage in mice overexpressing the APP23 (amyloid precursor protein).

Methods—

Repeated susceptibility-weighted magnetic resonance imaging was performed in APP23 mice at the age of 18 and 21 months, respectively. After establishing stable long-term anticoagulation effects of warfarin and dabigatran on number and total volume of CMBs, the outcome parameters were compared with nonanticoagulated control.

Results—

CMBs were equally located in lobar and deep brain regions, and number and total volume of CMBs increased over time. Anticoagulation with either warfarin or dabigatran did not increase CMBs in APP23 significantly. Mice treated with warfarin numerically had a higher mortality (nonanticoagulated: 31%; dabigatran: 35% versus warfarin: 55%;
P
=0.21). In postmortem brains of prematurely dying animals warfarin caused significantly more frequently large intracerebral hemorrhage than control and dabigatran.

Conclusions—

Anticoagulation with warfarin or dabigatran for 3 to 4 months does not promote the formation of CMBs in aged APP23 mice. Nevertheless, warfarin but not dabigatran is associated with a higher risk of extensive intracerebral hemorrhage, suggesting that this model may allow preclinical safety evaluation of antithrombotic therapies.
How Do You See Me? The Neural Basis of Motivated Meta-perception
Authors: Flagan Taru , Mumford Jeanette A. , Beer Jennifer S.
Published: July 2017

We cannot see the minds of others, yet people often spontaneously interpret how they are viewed by other people (i.e., meta-perceptions) and often in a self-flattering manner. Very little is known about the neural associations of meta-perceptions, but a likely candidate is the ventromedial pFC (VMPFC). VMPFC has been associated with both self- and other-perception as well as motivated self-perception. Does this function extend to meta-perceptions? The current study examined neural activity while participants made meta-perceptive interpretations in various social scenarios. A drift-diffusion model was used to test whether the VMPFC is associated with two processes involved in interpreting meta-perceptions in a self-flattering manner: the extent to which the interpretation process involves the preferential accumulation of evidence in favor of a self-flattering interpretation versus the extent to which the interpretation process begins with an expectation that favors a self-flattering outcome. Increased VMPFC activity was associated with the extent to which people preferentially accumulate information when interpreting meta-perceptions under ambiguous conditions and marginally associated with self-flattering meta-perceptions. Together, the present findings illuminate the neural underpinnings of a social cognitive process that has received little attention to date: how we make meaning of others' minds when we think those minds are pointed at us.
Imaginative Reinforcement Learning: Computational Principles and Neural Mechanisms
Authors: Gershman Samuel J. , Zhou Jimmy , Kommers Cody
Published: July 2017

Imagination enables us not only to transcend reality but also to learn about it. In the context of reinforcement learning, an agent can rationally update its value estimates by simulating an internal model of the environment, provided that the model is accurate. In a series of sequential decision-making experiments, we investigated the impact of imaginative simulation on subsequent decisions. We found that imagination can cause people to pursue imagined paths, even when these paths are suboptimal. This bias is systematically related to participants' optimism about how much reward they expect to receive along imagined paths; providing feedback strongly attenuates the effect. The imagination effect can be captured by a reinforcement learning model that includes a bonus added onto imagined rewards. Using fMRI, we show that a network of regions associated with valuation is predictive of the imagination effect. These results suggest that imagination, although a powerful tool for learning, is also susceptible to motivational biases.
Inter-dialect dispersal is common in the Puget Sound white-crowned sparrow
Authors: Nelson Douglas A. , Nickley Ben M. , Poesel Angelika , Gibbs H. Lisle , Olesik John W.
Published: July 2017

Dispersal in birds can have an important influence on the genetic structure of populations by affecting gene flow. In birds that learn their songs, dispersal can affect the ability of male birds to share songs in song dialects and may influence mate attraction. We used Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS) trace element analysis on the body feathers of birds to assess dispersal among four song dialects. We found that (1) most males had a feather element profile typical of only one dialect location; (2) males singing non-local (‘foreign’) dialects in a focal population often learned their foreign songs outside the dialect; and (3) females often dispersed among dialects. We estimated 5% dispersal per year by yearling males between the site of moulting and breeding. Our estimate is consistent with genetic estimates of widespread gene flow between dialects in this subspecies of the white-crowned sparrow.
Diversity in the organisation and lignification of tension wood fibre walls – A review
Authors: Ghislain Barbara , Clair Bruno
Published: July 2017

Tension wood, a tissue developed by angiosperm trees to actively recover their verticality, has long been defined by the presence of an unlignified cellulosic inner layer in the cell wall of fibres, called the G-layer. Although it was known that some species have no G-layer, the definition was appropriate since it enabled easy detection of tension wood zones using various staining techniques for either cellulose or lignin. For several years now, irrespective of its anatomical structure, tension wood has been defined by its high mechanical internal tensile stress. This definition enables screening of the diversity of cell walls in tension wood fibres. Recent results obtained in tropical species with tension wood with a delay in the lignification of the G-layer opened our eyes to the effective presence of large amounts of lignin in the G-layer of some species. This led us to review older literature mentioning the presence of lignin deposits in the G-layer and give them credit. Advances in the knowledge of tension wood fibres allow us to reconsider some previous classifications of the diversity in the organisation of the fibre walls of the tension wood.
Benthic hydroids (Cnidaria, Hydrozoa) from the Ross Sea (Antarctica) collected by the New Zealand Antarctic expedition BioRoss 2004 with RV Tangaroa
Authors: CANTERO ÁLVARO L. PEÑA
Published: July 2017

During the New Zealand BioRoss 2004 survey, with RV Tangaroa, sampling of marine communities on the Ross Sea shelf was undertaken. Samples were obtained employing several sampling gears (Van Veen grab, epibenthic sled, rough bottom trawl, and beam trawl). Among the numerous benthic samples obtained, a large and important collection of hydroids was present. Sixty-one species, four of them new to science (Monocoryne antarctica sp. nov., Halecium tangaroa sp. nov., Staurotheca gracilis sp. nov. and Symplectoscyphus densus sp. nov.) have been recorded. Oswaldella blanconae sp. nov. is also described. “Anthoathecata” are represented by ten species belonging to the families Bougainvilliidae, Candelabridae, Clathrozoellidae, Hydractiniidae, Eudendriidae and Tubulariidae. Leptothecata are dominant, with 51 species belonging to the families Campanulariidae, Campanulinidae, Lafoeidae, Haleciidae, Hebellidae, Kirchenpaueriidae, Schizotrichidae, Staurothecidae, Symplectoscyphidae and Zygophylacidae. Symplectoscyphidae is the richest family with 19 species (31%), followed by Staurothecidae with eight (13%) and Haleciidae with seven species (11%). At the generic level, Symplectoscyphus with 14 species (two of them identified only at the genus level), Staurotheca with eight species (one identified to genus level) and Halecium with seven species are the most speciose genera. Twenty-two species (including the four new species) constitute new records for the Ross Sea, thus raising the number of valid, known species of the area to 77.
Me–A Consumer? Consumption, Identities and Lifestyles in Today's Finland
Authors: Wilska Terhi-Anna
Published: July 2017

Recent sociological theories of consumption and lifestyles usually argue that consumption plays an essential role in the creation and maintenance of personal identities. For the consumers, the identity sustaning process operates through playing with the lifestyles that are fragmented, flexible and fluid. The consumers of the digital era are argued to be unpredictable, individualistie, expressive and also highly competent in their spending patterns. This kind of approach is questionable. It is doubtful that people make a conscious decision to use consumption as a means of playing with identities. Economic restraints, social regulation, conventions, routiness, socialization in peer groups are (still) likely to restrict the freedom of the consumer. In this study, the the importance of consumption for identity-formation was examined eempirically by analysing a data set derived from a lifestyle survey, Finland 1999. The findinges suggest that most Finnish consumers may not consciously consider consumption to be a major part of their identities. Although some materialist and hedonist lifestyles were found, many consumption styles were also characterized by modest and rational spending patterns. Saving money was important for most consumers, and many also underestimated their consumption. Socio-economic and demographic factors, particularly gender, age, class position and income had also a strong effect on consumption and lifestyles. Hence, on the basis of this data, most Finnish consumers seem rather ordinary and not quite as individualistic as postmodern theories argue.
A Class Analysis for the Future? Comment on Grusky and Weeden: ‘Decomposition Without Death: A Research Agenda for a New Class Analysis’
Authors: Birkelund Gunn Elisabeth
Published: July 2017

As the Marxian project falls out of favour, scholars have therefore settled into some version of Weberianism or postmodernism, neither of which pays much attention to occupation-level structuration. We have outlined a quasi-Durheimian third road that refocuses attention on local forms of structuration within the division of labor. (Grusky & Weeden 2001:214)
Asymptotic Properties of Order Statistics Attracted to Normal Law
Authors: Chanda K.C.
Published: July 2017

[Formula: see text]
A Bayesian Procedure for Selecting the Largest of k Normal Means
Authors: Ofosu J.B.
Published: July 2017

A Bayesian single sample solution to the problem of selecting the largest of k normal means is given. The solution appears robust with respect to variations in the prior distribution and parameters of the model.
Computation of Density for A Linear Combination of –Generalized Normal Random Variables
Authors: Lee Ru-Ying , Goodman I. R.
Published: July 2017

A computational procedure is presented for the approximation of the density of a linear combination of univariate -generalized normal random variables. (The -generalized normal random variable generalizes the ordinary normal one by replacing the power two in the exponent of the density by an arbitrary positive number.)

The procedure applies a truncated form of the Fourier Inversion Theorem to the power series expansion of the characteristic function of a -generalized normal random variable. Because of the unimodal nature of -generalized normal characteristic functions for ⩽ 2 and the oscillatory nature for > 2, much of the computational procedure divides into two corresponding parts. Complete error analysis and accuracy control in all computations are also presented.
On Some Block Structure Properties of a BIBD
Authors: Shah S.M.
Published: July 2017

In this paper, we d erive bounds for (i) the number of blocks between which no treatments are common, and (ii) the number of bloc ks n ot containing a given set of treatments in a BIBD.
Nonparametric Two-Sample Sequential Problems for Truncation Parameters of Unknown Distributions
Authors: Mukhopadhyay N.
Published: July 2017

This paper develops sequential and two-stage procedures for (i) estimating the difference, and (ii) selecting the larger of two truncation parameters of two unknown distributions. These form the nonparametric two-sample versions of the results in Mukhopadhyay and Hamdy (1984), and Mukhopadhyay (1984). Some of the basic tools for the corresponding one-sample nonparametric problem are developed in Swanepoel vanWyk (1981).
Inverse Sampling Based on General Scores for Non-Parametric Two-Sample Problems
Authors: Chatterjee Shoutir Kishore , Bandyopadhyay Uttam
Published: July 2017

[Formula: see text]
The Best Estimators of Quantiles and the Three Means of the Pareto Distribution
Authors: Moothathu T. S. K.
Published: July 2017

In this paper we develop the uniformly minimum variance unbiased (best) estimators of the quantiles, mean, geometric mean and harmonic mean of the Pareto distribuion in the case when both the shape parameter a and the scale parameter k are unknown and in cases when one of them alone is unknown. The best estimates are in terms of the Bessel Function o F1 and Kummer's function 1 F1. The variance of the best estimator are found out, which are in terms of F2 , the Appell function of second kind and ψ2 , a confluent hypergeometric function of two variables. Further we prove that every best estimator of this paper is strongly consistent.
Construction of Nested Balanced Incomplete Block Designs
Authors: Dey A. , Das U.S. , Banerjee A. K.
Published: July 2017

A set of general methods for constructing Nested Balanced Incomplete Block Designs is presented. These methods lead to the solution of some new designs.
On Normality VIA Conditional Normality
Authors: Ahsanullah M. , Sinha Bikas K.
Published: July 2017

Consider X=( Xo , X1 ... , Xp) and suppose [Formula: see text] Assume further that Xi's ( i=0,1, ... , p) are marginally identically distributed. Does this Imply normality of X ? Ahsanullah ( Metrika (1985), 32, 215-218) raised this question and resolved it in the affirmative for p = 1. This is, of course, not true for p > 1. We give a counter-example to that effect. Next we prove that exchangeability of the components Xo , .... Xp of X along with conditional normality of Xo (as stated above) indeed ensure normality of X.
A Comparison Between PPSWR and Brewer's ∏PSWOR Procedures
Authors: Sengupta S.
Published: July 2017

It is proved that the variance of the Horvitz-Thompson estimator (HTE) of a finite population total based on Brewer's (1975) ∏PSWOR procedure is smaller than the variance or the Hansen-Hurwitz estimator (HHB) based on a PPSWR sample involvioa the same number of draws.
On The Best Estimators of Coefficients of Variation, skewness and Kurtosis of Pareto Distribution and Their Variances
Authors: Moothathu T. S. K.
Published: July 2017

Here we develop the uniformly minimum variance unbiased (best) estimators of coefficient of variation, Pearson's coefficients of skewness and kurtosis of two-parameter Pareto distribution, the variance of these best estimators and the best estimators of those variances. The best estimators are in terms of Kummer's function 1 F1 and Humbert's function ø2 ; and their variances are in terms of F2 , the Appel function of second kind and K 12 , a quadruple hypergeornetric function invented by Exton during the early 1970's.
Some Characterizations of Normal Distribution
Authors: Ahsanullah M. , Hamedani G. G.
Published: July 2017

In this note various characterizations of the univariate normal distribution based on the chi-square and Cauchy distributions are given.
A Note on PPS Circular Systematic Sampling
Authors: Sengupta S.
Published: July 2017

A necessary and sufficient condition connecting the samplesize, size-measures and tbe sampling interval is given for a pps circular systematic sample to contain all distinct units.
On Asymptotic Prediction Problems for Autoregressive Models with Explosive and Other Roots
Authors: Basu A. K. , Roy S. Sen
Published: July 2017

In this paper the asymptotic properties of the estimated predictor of a k-dimensional, pth order autoregressive process with dependent error variables and a general set-up of the roots have been considered. An expression for the mean-square-error of the estimated predictor has also been obtained.
Weak Convergence of Randomly Stopped Log-Likelihood Ratio Statistic to Mixed Gaussian Process
Authors: Basu A. K. , Bhattacharya Debasis
Published: July 2017

Weak convergence of randomly stopped log-likelihood ratio for general dependent processes has been obtained. We observe that under certain regularity conditions sequence of randomly stopped log-likelihood random fields converge weakly to a mixed Gaussian Shift process. Some applications are pointed out and two examples are also taken into account.
On General Efficiency Balanced Row Column Designs
Authors: Gupta V.K. , Prasad N. S. Gandhi
Published: July 2017

The purpose of this article is to extend the concept of general efficiency balance from block designs to row-column designs. Some methods of construction of general efficiency balanced row-column designs are given. The canonical efficiencies of these designs are worked out.
Multivariate Rank Analysis of Covariance Under Exchangeability of the Primary Variates
Authors: Mukherjee Indranil
Published: July 2017

The paper considers the usual Rank Analysis of Convariance (RANOCOVA) problem, but under the known permutation symmetry of the primary response variates. The setup crops up in many biometric (e.g. ophthalmological studies) as well as engineering applications where the units on which the responses are measured cannot be taken as independent, but may well be assumed to have exchangeable multivariate distributions for proper natural groupings of the responses. In such cases the conventional nonparametric RANOCOVA methods are eminently applicable, but, the present paper proposes a method by which the efficiency of the inferential processes can be increased substantially. The paper also reports the results of a limited simulation experiment performed to compare the proposed method to the conventional RANOCOVA procedure (cf. Sen, 1984).

AMS 1991 Subject classification : 62G 10.
Estimation of the Parameters of the Uniform Distribution Over [kθ, (k+ 1)θ]
Authors: Thomas P. Yageen
Published: July 2017

From the available literature on estimation of the parameters of the uniform distribution over [ kθ, kθ + θ], we find the necessity to construct improved estimators of the parameter θ when k is known. In this paper a new estimator of θ is proposed when k is known and its performance is compared with best linear unbiased estimator of θ based on two extreme observations.

A MS Subject Classification: Primary: 62H12; Secondary: 62G30, 62B05.
Some Sequential Tests in Clinical Trials Based on Randomized-Play-The-Winner Rule
Authors: Bandyopadhyay Uttam , Biswas Atanu
Published: July 2017

The present paper provides a nonpararnetric test procedure for comparing two treatments in clinical trials by using a sampling design which allocates more patients to the better treatment in course of decision making. Some exact and asymptotic results related to the performance characteristics and the properties of the proposed test are discussed and examined. Finally, the performance characteristics of the test are compared numerically with its possible competitors.
Latin Square Type Row-Column Designs
Authors: Niwas Ram , Mehta B. D.
Published: July 2017

A class of Row-Column Designs (RC-designs) in t + tl-1 (t = t1t2) treatments has been constructed by supplementing a latin square type RC-design in t-1 treatments arranged in t x t array with principal diagonal (left to right) blank and having each treatment once in each row and once in each column. The blank diagonal positions are supplemented by t1 new treatments each replicated t2 times. These designs are simple partially efficiency balanced Row-Column designs (SPEB-RC-designs) having two sets of treatments with different number of replications. These designs are very useful in agricultural experiments particularly in plant development programme where limited seed material is available for new strains or varieties (t1) as compared to standard or check varieties (t-1), already in existence.
Modeling the Probability of a Negative ANOVA Estimate of a Variance Component
Authors: Lee Juneyoung , khuri André I.
Published: July 2017

The usefulness of analysis of variance (ANOVA) estimates of variance components is impaired by the frequent occurrence of negative values. The probability of such an occurrence is therefore of interest. This probability depends on the design used and the true values of the variance components. In the present article, we propose a method for modeling this probability in order to gain a better insight into the effect of data imbalance on the quality of ANOVA estimation. Generalized linear models techniques are used for this purpose. A demonstration of the proposed methodology is made using the unbalanced random one-way model.
Bootstrap Bias Adjusted Estimators of Beta Distribution Parameters
Authors: Carpenter Mark , Mishra Satya N.
Published: July 2017

The standard beta distribution is one of the few well-studied distributions with continuous support on (0, 1] . In this paper, we propose a bootstrap bias corrected estimator of the standard beta shape parameters to improve on the traditional Method of Moments Estimators (MME) and Maximum Likelihood Estimators (MLE). Through empirical studies we show that the MME's have smaller bias but very large Mean Squared Error (MSE) as compared to the MLE's, while the MLE's have larger bias but substantially lower MSE. The bootstrap bias corrected estimators give substantial improvement in bias and MSE over both the MME and MLE.
Weighted Extreme Ranked Set Sample for Skewed Population
Authors: Abu-Dayyeh Walid , Samawi Hani M. , Kouider Elies
Published: July 2017

Samawi et al. (1996) investigated the use of a variety of extreme ranked set samples (ERSSs) for estimating the population mean. They indicated that ERSSs give unbiased and more efficient estimators of the population mean , compared to simple random samples (SRSs), in case of symmetric distributions. Also, ERSSs are more practical than ranked set samples (RSSs) and reduce the ranking judgment error. However, ERSSs produce biased estimators for the population mean when the underlying distribution has a skewed shape. In this paper a generalization of ERSS namely the weighted extreme ranked set sample (WERSS) is suggested. WERSS gives an unbiased and more efficient estimate for the population mean of scale and location families of distributions, compared with SRS, using the same number of quantified units. Also, a sequential approach is introduced to estimate the population mean when a limited knowledge of the underlying distribution is available. Simulation as well as a real data example about the bilirubin level in jaundice neonatal babies are used to investigate and to illustrate the method.
On the Block Structure of Treatment-Control Designs
Authors: Jacroux Mike
Published: July 2017

In this paper we consider block designs which are optimal or efficient for comparing a set of v test treatments to a control. For such designs bounds are derived for the number of test treatments that any two blocks can have in common.
Improvement of Quality of a System Using Regression Designs
Authors: Mukhopadhyay Anis Chandra , Bagchi Srijib Bhusan , Das Rabindra Nath
Published: July 2017

Improvement of performance of a system plays an important role in reliability theory. In this article an attempt has been made to use response surface designs incorporating correlated errors for improving the performance of a system by increasing the reliability for a given mission time or increasing the mean life. Robust rotatable designs are used in estimating regression parameters by Least Squares method assuming life distribution to follow exponential distribution and experimental error following a known correlated structure.
The applicability of organomodified nanoclays as new fillers for mechanical reinforcement of dental composites
Authors: Menezes Lívia Rodrigues , Silva Emerson Oliveira da , Rocha Anne Caroline da Silva , Oliveira Dayane Carvalho Ramos Salles de , Campos Paulo Ricardo de Barros
Published: July 2017

Objectives

This study reports the evaluation of changes in crosslink structure and mechanical properties of dental microhybrid composite reinforced with clays when compared to silica nanofillers, which are already extensively used for this application.

Materials and methods

A standardized resin matrix with a glycerolate dimethacrylate, triethylene glycol dimethacrylate, and urethane dimethacrylate copolymers associated with a camphorquinone photoinitiator system was blended with 75 wt% filler content. As fillers, two organically modified clays (hydrophilic silica and organomodified silica) and a boron-aluminum-silicate glass with 4 µm were used to obtain nanohybrid nanocomposites. The samples were prepared by light curing and were evaluated by measuring flexural strength, elasticity modulus, hardness, tensile resistance, and crosslinking.

Results

The mechanical test results indicated that the system with 2.5% clay was better dispersed in the system, while the highest concentrations caused agglomeration of these clays. On the other hand, the silicas showed gradual gain in properties. The increase in concentration of all nanofillers reduced the crosslinking ability of the systems. This behavior can be explained because the clay’s presence makes the reaction medium more viscous or because the fillers act as points of light absorption and scattering.
Vital Reaction in the Central Nervous System
Authors: de Carvalho H. Veiga
Published: July 2017

An attempt was made to correlate the development of the vital reaction in the central nervous system, particularly the brain, following experimentally inflicted frontal lobe wounds in dogs. Previous reports have dealt with long-term results, whilst here the immediate and early changes are described in chronological order.
The Use of Larval Infestation in Determining Time of Death
Authors: Lothe F.
Published: July 2017

In forensic medicine it may be of great importance to determine the time of death with some accuracy. This usually presents difficulties as most of the methods used can only place the time of death within fairly wide limits and this is particularly true when a considerable period of time has elapsed between death and autopsy.
Caffey's “Third Syndrome”—a Critical Evaluation
Authors: Fairburn A. C. , Hunt A. C.
Published: July 2017

For many years paediatricians have been puzzled by finding infants suffering from multiple fractures without any history of trauma or recognisable disease of the bone. It has been suggested that there might be some abnormality of bone structure (Metaphyseal Fragility). This paper describes seven cases where multiple fractures were found in infants which on investigation proved to be the result of parental violence and not of any abnormality.
1.—Offensive Weapons Used in East Africa
Authors: Mello Jules P.
Published: July 2017

In view of the ease of modern travel and the increasing incidence of violence against the person, we present the first of a series which may help to identify the weapon.
Battered Wives
Authors: Gayford J. J.
Published: July 2017

Some of the details of a survey of 100 battered wives are presented, including the types of injuries seen and the backgrounds to the cases. A woman who is repeatedly assaulted by her marital partner experiences considerable difficulty in finding a safe place to escape to with her disturbed children. Unless she can find sanctuary, the law can be circumvented by further violence from her husband. A woman can easily enter into a second violent relationship, not because she chooses a violent partner, but because such men are the few readily available in her social sub-culture. The example given to the children prepares the ground for them to enter into the same type of relationships in the next generation.
Defective Newborns and Government Intermeddling
Authors: Smith George P.
Published: July 2017

Whenever a genetically defective infant is born, a triptych of interests is challenged directly. For such a case not only tests the extent of the natural rights of the parents in making decisions regarding the infant's capacity for qualitative life, but the personal needs or the welfare of the child itself and the nature of the responsibilities of the State in ensuring the welfare of its citizens regardless of age or infirmity. Aggressive posturing by the United States government, through a complex regulatory scheme designed to assure protection of handicapped newborns, has in fact wreaked havoc on the whole decision-making process and assaulted the integrity and privacy of the family decisional unit. While lacking a similar governmental regulatory process of protection in England, the judiciary, nevertheless, has given a strong indication that circumstances may merit respect of parental decisions which preclude aggressive efforts being undertaken to maintain life for such infants. What would be helpful to parents, doctors and judges alike in deciding the gravity of birth impairment and ultimately whether to maintain life or allow it to abate with dignity and mercy would be criteria which would attempt to structure pragmatic medical standards for decision-making.
Failed Female Sterilization and the Law
Authors: Argent V. P.
Published: July 2017

There has been a substantial increase in litigation for failure of sterilization operations. Recent court cases indicate that doctors must inform their patients about the risk of failure of such operations. The word sterilization suggests permanence and it is suggested that female sterilization should be renamed tubal occlusion.
A Rare Cause of Cot Death—Infantile Xanthomatous Cardiomyopathy
Authors: Cunningham N. E. , Stewart J.
Published: July 2017

A case of infantile xanthomatous cardiomyopathy, presenting as a cot death, is described. The literature is reviewed and the aetiology of the lesion discussed.
Pulmonary Vascular Occlusive Disease Presenting as Sudden Death
Authors: Bolster M. A. , Hogan J. , Bredin C.P.
Published: July 2017

We report a case of pulmonary vascular occlusive disease (also termed pulmonary veno occlusive disease) which caused the sudden death of an eleven-year-old girl. The post-mortem findings are described and the current theories of aetiology and pathogenesis of this unusual condition are reviewed.

The clinical picture is characterized by pulmonary hypertension with marked increase of pulmonary arterial pressure but often normal or only slightly elevated wedge pressure. The pulmonary vasculature, especially the veins, show progressive fibrotic occlusion. The aetiology is unknown but an infective cause is considered most likely. Definitive diagnosis usually depends on an open lung biopsy or, more commonly, autopsy examination.
Psychological and Psychiatric Aspects of Shoplifting
Authors: Gudjonsson Gisli H.
Published: July 2017

This paper reviews the relevant psychological, criminological, and psychiatric literature on shoplifting, with particular emphasis on implications for clinical issues and involvement. The paper provides a conceptual framework for working with shoplifters and highlights the need for careful assessment before treatment is embarked upon. It is emphasized that shoplifting is not a unitary category either in terms of motives or clinical problems and no one model can adequately explain the phenomenon.
Treating Mentally Abnormal Killers in a Regional Secure Unit: Some Suggested Guidelines
Authors: Hambridge J A
Published: July 2017

Despite a growing literature on various psychiatric aspects of homicide, there are few guidelines for treating mentally abnormal killers. This paper describes the background to this area and draws upon the author's experience in an English Regional Secure Unit, working with patients who have killed whilst suffering from an ‘abnormality of mind’. A number of treatment issues are raised and some treatment guidelines are suggested. A case study is presented to illustrate some of these points.
1. A Biopsied Vaginal Lesion in a Child Alleging Abuse
Authors: Busuttil A
Published: July 2017

In a six-year-old child presenting with vaginal bleeding, considered to be the consequence of sexual abuse by a stepfather, a colposcopically identified vaginal lesion was biopsied. This showed a chronic inflammatory lesion which could have been the consequence of recurrent, self-inflicted, masturbatory injury. Various controversial aspects of this case are discussed.
Self-Reports of Academic Performance: Response Errors Are Not Well Behaved
Authors: Hamilton Lawrence C.
Published: July 2017

Exploratory data analysis (EDA) is used to study errors in self-reports of lest scores and grades from a survey sample of college students. Both response and non-response are found to be systematically biased, with unfortunate effects in combination. Errors are not normally distributed, and would be better modeled as contaminated distributions made up of two or more simple distributions. Errors are correlated with each other and with other variables, leading to spuriously inflated as well as deflated intervariable correlations. These findings may be typical of survey data in general; hence, more realistic error models and robust estimation methods are desirable.
Electric motor-based crankshaft stop position control to suppress range extender start vibration in electric vehicle
Authors: Guo Rong , Han Shuai , Wang Meng-Jia , Cao Chong
Published: July 2017

Range-extended electric vehicles have the most complex noise and vibration problems since certain control strategies often make range extenders (REs) shut down or restart for the sake of better fuel consumption. This paper deals with this uncomfortable riding experience, especially during the range extender start phase. A control-oriented nonlinear model for the start–stop vibration analysis, including range extender mount system, engine–clutch–motor shaft system, engine inertia torque and force, engine friction torque, engine gas torque, engine manifold pressure, electric motor torque, and range extender controller, is thus built. In the developed model, a new estimation method for gas torque is proposed, where the initial crank angle is considered and the relevant equations are simplified. The method has proven to predict gas torque accurately without using a complex calculation process. According to the developed model, the active control method, crankshaft stop position control (CSPC) has been proposed. The crankshaft stop position is analyzed as well as the crankshaft movement with different speeds at top dead center is discussed, which lead to the design of the target curves for crankshaft movement during the stop phase. Based on the set-up model, CSPC is finally applied through the cascade control of the motor to evaluate the control effectiveness. The simulation outcomes demonstrate that CSPC can help the crankshaft to finally stop at the optimal initial crank angle, which effectively lessens the vibration in the next start phase.
Urban Geography: City Structures
Authors: Johnston R. J.
Published: July 2017

Three types of work characterize the study of city structures, according to my earlier paper on this topic (Johnston, 1977). Two of them (neoclassical-functional description and the behavioural approach) are well-established and work continues to be produced along conventional lines (Herbert and Johnston, 1976a; 1976b); the third (institutional approaches) is relatively novel and is still in a formative stage. The latter is the focus in the present review, and attention is paid both to the nature of research and to the conflict between traditional geographical approaches and the procedures of contemporary urban theorists.
Another Shot in the Ok Corral
Authors: Vanderburgh Jan
Published: July 2017

This modified version of Ernst's OK Corral is used to predict some of the client's decisions and contaminations about treatment. Optimal contracts can then be made.
Being Honest
Authors: Burton Larry
Published: July 2017

The purpose of this paper is to demonstrate how a word, honesty, can be symbolized and used in a manner that does not reflect honesty in action. Dishonesty is perceived as tricky and muddled as opposed to straightness of speech and action which comes across clear and concise. Honesty and openness are very important and healthy ingredients in any relationship, yet “honesty” can be carried to the point of justifying harmful behavior. Honesty is a dynamic, growing, alive process, not static—as in an attitude of honesty at all costs or honesty without responsibility.