bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Taguchi Method for Off‐Line Quality Control
Authors: Ben‐Gal Irad E. , Dror Shuki 
Published: May 2016

AbstractThree decades ago, Taguchi developed a systematic approach to off‐line quality control and process design that is now known as theTaguchi method. Although some of the statistical aspects of the method are arguable, there is no dispute that it has been widely applied to various processes and industries and gained enormous attention. In this article, we summarize the main concepts of the Taguchi method and cover some of its implementations.
Public Opinion Polls
Authors: Warren Kenneth F. 
Published: May 2016

AbstractPeople have always been interested in finding out what people think about various matters, so polling people was inevitable. Early “straw polls” were unscientific and not very accurate. However, George Gallup, experimenting with scientific polling, used his polling to predict the winner of the 1936 presidential election. This gave credibility to scientific polling leading to the growth of a giant, multibillion dollar polling industry.Although scientific pollsters from the mid‐1930s through the early 1950s used mostly face‐to‐face interviews combined with quota sampling, their failure to predict accurately the winner of the 1948 election discredited quota sampling. Soon, pollsters adopted random sampling, helped enormously by the growing use of landline phones. By the 1960s, random phone interviewing became the gold standard in polling.Pollsters have used various polling methods, including face‐to‐face, mail, phone, exit, and Internet interviews. Each method has its pros and cons. However, random landline phone interviews, once the gold standard in polling for getting a representative sample, has been severely compromised by the use of cell phones and phone screening devices. Pollsters are now struggling to find another new way to obtain representative samples.
Epidemic Models, Stochastic
Authors: Gani Joe 
Published: May 2016

AbstractThe role of stochastic modeling in describing the growth of epidemics is surveyed. This article describes the most commonly used stochastic epidemic models. For discrete time, the Greenwood and Reed–Frost chain binomials are outlined, and the importance of embedded Markov chains is noted. In continuous time, the simple SI, the general SIR, and the carrier‐borne CSR models are discussed, and Whittle's threshold theorem is stated. A general framework for stochastic models is sketched and its relation to deterministic models is noted. This article concludes with some references to recent literature.
Genetic Correlations and Covariances
Authors: Hopper John L. 
Published: May 2016

Abstract

In 1918, Fisher devised a theoretical basis for making inferences about genetic and environmental causes of variation in continuous traits. This synthesized Mendelian inheritance with Darwinian evolution through selection and overcame problems with blending inheritance. He showed that the genetic covariance, and hence correlation, between relatives can be expressed in terms of additive and dominance variance components, which can be expressed in terms of identity coefficients and extended to polygenic inheritance. A more general model can include environmental variances, the latter including environmental factors shared by or common to (classes of) relatives. Cohabitation effects can depend on living together and apart, and the type of relationship. The combined effects of genetic, common environmental and individual‐specific environmental factors can be modeled in numerous ways, and extended to include gene–environment interactions and covariation, and multiple traits. It can include effects on the mean, and on the covariance between relatives, of measured genetic and environmental factors. While comparisons of observed and predicted correlations are used to make infer about reality, care must be taken. These models describe causes of variation, not causes
per se
. A model is only an approximation, model assumptions need to be addressed, and there is strong negative confounding between the genetic and shared environment components of variance. A pattern of correlations consistent with a given explanation does not prove that explanation is the true or only explanation and the “best fitting model” is not necessarily close to the true model. Attention should be paid to falsifying models.
Phase‐Type and Generalized Phase‐Type Distributions in Survival Analysis
Authors: Huzurbazar Aparna V. , Aalen Odd O. 
Published: May 2016

AbstractConsider a finite‐state, time‐continuous, homogeneous Markov chain with an absorbing state. The time to absorption in such a state is said to have a phase‐type distribution. Markov models are useful because they may incorporate an understanding of how a phenomenon, for example, a disease, moves through different stages. However, for tractability and to maintain the Markov property, the stages are modeled with exponential waiting times. Aalen[1]introduced such phase‐type distributions based on Markov processes for modeling disease progression in survival analysis. Huzurbazar[2]extended this work by generalizing these models to semi‐Markov processes with nonexponential waiting times, calledgeneralized phase‐type distributions. The generalization allows more realistic modeling of the stages of the disease where the Markov property and exponential waiting times may not hold. Flowgraph models are used to provide a closed‐form solution for the distributions in situations where involving nonexponential waiting times. Flowgraph models are a tool that aid in the analysis of semi‐Markov processes. Densities and hazard rates of phase‐type distributions can be calculated from standard Markov chain theory.
Computer‐Based Test Designs
Authors: Zenisky April L. 
Published: May 2016

Abstract
Among the decisions to be made in implementing a computer‐based test, the choice of test design is one of the most important. A test design is the manner by which individual items are selected for presentation to examinees during administration. The importance of evaluating test design options is critical because it concerns not only test administration but also basic activities in the test‐development process and the quality and precision of scores to be obtained for a specified testing purpose. Essentially, conceptualizing the test design options for computerized testing first hinges on the property of being adaptive or not, and then there are varied approaches within each of those two groupings. The purpose of this article is to provide an overview of selected test designs, adaptive and otherwise, while highlighting certain measurement advantages and concerns associated with each.
Classical Test Models
Authors: Muñiz José 
Published: May 2016

Abstract

The term
classical test theory
covers an entire set of psychometric models and procedures whose main objective is to solve the psychometric problems arising in the measurement of variables in the social, behavioral, and health sciences. Classical test theory permits us to estimate the psychometric properties of the tests, questionnaires, and scales, guaranteeing that measurements are made with the appropriate scientific and technical rigor. The first work in this area appeared at the beginning of the twentieth century, and by the 1960s, the core of the classical approach was well established. The classical model assumes that a person's empirical score in a test is made up of two additive components, the true score corresponding to the assessed person in that test, and a certain measurement error. From this simple model, and with the addition of some assumptions and the definition of parallel tests, we obtain the principal classical formulas that allow the estimation of the psychometric properties of tests, such as reliability and validity.
Zero‐Inflated Data
Authors: Tu Wanzhu , Liu Hai 
Published: May 2016

Abstract

The term
zero inflation
is used to describe a data set that contains an excessive number of zeros, typically beyond the accommodation of a standard parametric distribution. In analysis, the presence of a large number of zeros tends to violate the underlying distributional assumption and thus jeopardizing the validity of scientific inference. In this article, we briefly review the concept of zero inflation and survey the existing analytical methods for zero‐inflated data.
Generalized Estimating Equations
Authors: Fitzmaurice Garrett M. 
Published: May 2016

Abstract

Generalized linear models cannot be routinely applied to clustered data (e.g., repeated measures on an individual) owing to the correlation among responses within a cluster. This has prompted the development of extensions of these models to the clustered data setting. Generalized estimating equations (GEEs) are most widely used for estimation and inferences about regression parameters in a semiparametric extension of generalized linear models to cluster‐correlated data known as
marginal models
. In a marginal model, the main focus is on a regression model relating the mean response to a set of covariates; the within‐cluster covariance among the responses is regarded as a nuisance feature of the data. Without requiring assumptions about the joint distribution of the responses within a cluster, the GEE approach yields consistent estimators of the regression parameters even when the within‐cluster covariance has not been correctly specified. This property of the GEE method accounts for its widespread use in the analysis of longitudinal or cluster‐correlated data, especially when the response variable of interest is discrete.
Fractional
B
rownian Motion in Financial Modeling
Authors: Bender Christian , Viitasaari Lauri 
Published: May 2016

Abstract
We review the use of fractional Brownian motion in financial modeling with an emphasis on arbitrage and hedging in the (mixed) fractional Black–Scholes model for stock prices. Moreover, short‐rate models and volatility models based on fractional Ornstein–Uhlenbeck processes are briefly discussed.
Joint Modeling in Health Sciences
Authors: Rizopoulos Dimitris 
Published: May 2016

Abstract
In longitudinal studies, measurements are often collected on different types of outcomes for each subject. These may include several longitudinally measured responses (such as blood values relevant to the medical condition under study) and the time at which an event of particular interest occurs (e.g., death, development of a disease, or dropout from the study). These outcomes are often separately analyzed; however, in many instances, a joint modeling approach is either required or may produce a better insight into the mechanisms that underlie the phenomenon under study. In this article, we present a short overview of this framework and utilize a joint model in the context of aortic valve transplantation.
Application of
K
alman Filter to Time Series Properties
Authors: Bhar Ramaprasad 
Published: May 2016

Abstract
This article elucidates the application of a structural time series approach to test a particular property of financial time series. This relates to the notion of coming together or convergence to two time series over the sample period being analyzed. The methodology allows observing the time evolution of such convergence property. The long‐term steady‐state behavior is empirically important to several research applications such as risk premium in credit and equity market between different countries. This may help support coordinated regulatory policy initiatives between different jurisdictions particularly when a crisis period is experienced.
Bayesian Model Averaging
Authors: Steel Mark F. J. 
Published: May 2016

AbstractBayesian Model averaging is a natural response to model uncertainty. It has become an important practical tool for dealing with model uncertainty; in particular, in empirical settings with large numbers of potential models and relatively limited numbers of observations. Most of this article focuses on the problem of variable selection in normal linear regression models and it also briefly considers a more general setting. This article surveys a number of prior structures proposed in the literature and presents in some detail the most commonly used prior setup. Model selection consistency and practical implementation are also briefly discussed.
Source‐specific workplace social support and high‐sensitivity C‐reactive protein levels among Japanese workers: A 1‐year prospective cohort study
Authors: Eguchi Hisashi , Shimazu Akihito , Kawakami Norito , Inoue Akiomi , Tsutsumi Akizumi 
Published: May 2016

BackgroundThis study investigated the prospective association between source‐specific workplace social support and high‐sensitivity C‐reactive protein (hs‐CRP) levels in workers in Japan.MethodsWe conducted a 1‐year prospective cohort study with 1,487 men and 533 women aged 18–65 years. Participants worked at two manufacturing worksites in Japan and were free of major illness. We used multivariable linear regression analyses to evaluate the prospective association between supervisor and coworker support at baseline, and hs‐CRP levels at follow‐up. We conducted the analyses separately for men and women.ResultsFor women, high supervisor support at baseline was significantly associated with lower hs‐CRP levels at follow‐up (β = −0.109,P < 0.01), whereas coworker support at baseline was not significantly associated with hs‐CRP levels at follow‐up. Associations between supervisor and coworker support and hs‐CRP levels were not significant for men.ConclusionsSupervisor support may have beneficial effects on inflammatory markers in working women. Am. J. Ind. Med. 59:676–684, 2016. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Pupil diameter for confirmation of brain death in adult organ donors in Japan
Authors: Sagishima Katsuyuki , Kinoshita Yoshihiro 
Published: May 2016

AimThe criteria for brain death in Japan include a bilateral pupil diameter of ≥4 mm. We evaluated the appropriateness of a 4‐mm pupil diameter in adult brain‐dead donors in Japan.MethodsWe retrospectively reviewed the records of 148 consecutive adult brain‐dead donors with an average age of 46 years. All records were anonymously registered to the Japanese Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare (the Japanese Ministry of Health and Welfare before 2001) from the various designated emergency institutes that performed organ donation under brain death from 1999 to 2012 in Japan.ResultsAll donors had a Glasgow Coma Scale score of 3, absence of all seven brain stem reflexes, an isoelectric electroencephalogram for >30 min, and apnea as tested by the standard method. All of these examinations were repeated approximately 6 h later for confirmation. The pupil diameter (average ± standard deviation) was 6.1 ± 1.1 mm at the first assessment and 6.4 ± 1.1 mm approximately 6 h later. The 95% probability distribution as calculated by statistical analysis was 3.93–8.30 mm in the left eye and 3.88–8.28 mm in the right eye in the first assessment, and 4.25–8.58 mm in the left eye and 4.32–8.43 mm in the right eye approximately 6 h later.ConclusionDespite the various original causes of brain death, we conclude that a pupil diameter of ≥4 mm is a reasonable criterion for brain death in adults.
Residue level and dissipation pattern of lepimectin in shallots using high‐performance liquid chromatography coupled with photodiode array detection
Authors: Kim Sung‐Woo , Rahman Md. Musfiqur , Abd El‐Aty A. M. , Truong Lieu T. B. , Choi Jeong‐Heui , Park Joon‐Seong , Kim Mi‐Ra , Shin Ho‐Chul , Shim Jae‐Han 
Published: May 2016

AbstractLepimectin, as an emulsifiable concentrate, was sprayed on shallots at the recommended dose rate (10 mL/20 L) to determine its residue levels, dissipation pattern, pre‐harvest residue limits (PHRLs), and health risk. Samples were randomly collected over 10 days, extracted with acetonitrile, purified using an amino solid‐phase extraction (NH2‐SPE) cartridge and analyzed using a high‐performance liquid chromatography–photodiode array detection method. Field‐incurred samples were confirmed using ultra‐performance liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry. The linearity was excellent, with a determination coefficient (R2) of ≥0.9991. The recoveries at two spiking levels (0.2 and 1.0 mg/kg) ranged from 84.49 to 87.64% with relative standard deviations of ≤7.04%. The developed method was applied to field samples grown in separate greenhouses, one located in Naju and one in Muan, in the Republic of Korea. The dissipation pattern was described by first‐order kinetics with half‐lives of 1.9 (Naju) and 1.7 days (Muan). The PHRL curves indicated that, if the lepimectin residues are <0.18 (Naju) and <0.13 mg/kg (Muan) 5 days before harvest, the residue levels will be lower than the maximum residue limit (0.05 mg/kg) upon harvesting. The risk assessment data indicated that lepimectin is safe for use in the cultivation of shallots, with no risk of detrimental effects to the consumer.
Quantitative determination of saroglitazar, a predominantly PPAR alpha agonist, in human plasma by a LC–MS/MS method utilizing electrospray ionization in a positive mode
Authors: Ghoghari Ashok , Dash Ranjeet , Bhatt Chandrakant , Singh Kanchan , Jha Anil , Patel Harilal , Gupta Rahul , Kansagra Kevinkumar , Srinivas Nuggehally R. 
Published: May 2016

AbstractA sensitive LC–MS/MS method was developed and validated for quantitation of saroglitazar using turboion spray interface with positive ion mode. A liquid–liquid extraction, with a mixture of dichloromethane and diethyl ether, was employed for the extraction of saroglitazar and glimepiride (IS) from human plasma. The chromatographic separation was achieved using an ACE‐5, C18 (4.6 × 100 mm) column with a gradient mobile phase comprising acetonitrile and ammonium acetate buffer with trifluoracetic acid in purified water. Both analytes were separated within 10 min with retention times of 4.52 and 2.57 min for saroglitazar and IS, respectively. Saroglitazar quantitation was achieved by the summation of two MRM transition pairs (m/z 440.2 to m/z 366.0 and m/z 440.2 to m/z 183.1), while that of IS was achieved using transition pair m/z 491.3 to m/z 352.0. The calibration standards of saroglitazar showed linearity from 0.2 to 500 ng/mL, with a lower limit of quantitation of 0.2 ng/mL. The biases for inter‐ and intra‐batch assays were −7.51–1.15% and −11.21 to −3.25%, respectively, while the corresponding precisions were 5.04–8.06% and 1.53–7.68%, respectively. The developed method was used to monitor the plasma concentrations of saroglitazar in clinical samples.
Screening and identification of Caulis Sinomenii bioactive ingredients with dual‐target NF‐κB inhibition and β2‐AR agonizing activities
Authors: Sun Dan , Han Yanqi , Wang Weiya , Wang Zengyong , Ma Xiaoyao , Hou Yuanyuan , Bai Gang 
Published: May 2016

AbstractCaulis Sinomenii (CS) is a valuable traditional medicine in China. Its extract can act as an anti‐inflammatory agent and a vascular smooth muscle relaxant. However, the underlying mechanisms remain unknown. In this study, we developed a simple dual‐target method based on ultra‐performance liquid chromatography/quadrupole time‐of‐flight mass spectrometry combined with a dual‐target bioactive screening assay for anti‐inflammatory and antispasmodic activities to characterize the chemical structure of various bioactive compounds of CS rapidly. Seven potential NF‐κB inhibitors were identified, including laudanosoline‐1‐O‐xylopyranose, 6‐O‐methyl‐laudanosoline‐1‐O‐glucopyranoside, menisperine, sinomenine, laurifoline, magnoflorine and norsinoacutin. Furthermore, IL‐6 and IL‐8 assays confirmed the anti‐inflammatory effects of these potential NF‐κB inhibitors, in which laudanosoline‐1‐O‐d‐xylopyranose and menisperine were revealed as novel NF‐κB inhibitors. Among the seven identified alkaloids, three potential β2‐adrenergic receptor agonists, including sinomenine, magnoflorine and laurifoline, were characterized using a luciferase reporter system to measure for the activity of β2‐adrenergic receptor agonists. Finally, sinomenine, magnoflorine and laurifoline were identified not only as potential NF‐κB inhibitors but also as potential β2‐adrenegic receptor agonists, which is the first time this has been reported. Molecular dynamic simulation and docking results suggest that the three dual‐bioactive constituents could not only inhibit Pseudomonas aeruginosa PAK strain‐induced inflammatory responses via a negative regulation of the Braf protein that participates in MAPK signaling pathway but also activate the β2‐adrenegic receptor. These results suggest that CS extract has dual signaling activities with potential clinical application as a novel drug for asthma.
Quantitative determination of intracellular Asulacrine in MCF‐7 breast cancer cells by liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry and its application to cellular pharmacokinetic studies of P188 modified liposomes
Authors: Zang Xiaojie , Zhang Jingwei , Zhou Yaqian , Chen Qianying , Peng Ying , Sun Jianguo , Liu Jiali , Liu Wenyue , Wang Guangji , Zhou Fang 
Published: May 2016

AbstractAsulacrine (ASL), an analogue of amsacrine, has shown higher anti‐breast and anti‐lung cancer activity. Hereby, a new sensitive and selective liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry (LC/MS) method was developed to determine intracellular asulacrine. The chromatographic separation was performed on an Agilent Zorbax Extend‐C18 column (2.1 mm i.d. × 50 mm, 5 μm) using gradient elution with water (2 mmol/L ammonium acetate and 0.1% acetic acid) and acetonitrile as the mobile phase. The detection was achieved with selected ion monitoring mode using electrospray ionization in positive mode with target ions at m/z 465.3 and m/z 326.1 for asulacrine and midazolam, respectively. The standard curve showed a good linearity with the lower limit of quantification of 1 ng/mL, as a result of which, the trace concentration of ASL in cell suspension could be quantified. The intra‐ and inter‐day accuracy ranged from −5.28 to 6.5% and from −6.32 to 1.05%, and the intra‐ and inter‐day precisions were no more than 7.65% and 11.71%, respectively. Additionally, no degradation of asulacrine was observed during stability evaluation. The method was proved to be powerful and practical to determine and compare the intracellular distribution and kinetics of ASL under different formulations in MCF‐7 breast cancer cells.
Normative values of quantitative sensory testing in Hispanic Latino population
Authors: González‐Duarte Alejandra , Lem‐Carrillo Mónica , Guerrero‐Torres Lorena 
Published: May 2016

AbstractBackgroundQuantitative Sensory Testing (QST) is more often used because of the increasing recognition of small fiber neuropathy.MethodsWe studied QST in a systematic way in an age‐stratified cohort of 83 neurological‐free Hispanic Latinamerican patients. Predefined standardized stimuli were applied using the method of limits.ResultsWDT range from 2.2 to 3.3°C in hands, and from 4.0°C up to 6.6°C in feet. Cold detection threshold range from 2.2 to 3.6°C in hands, and from 2.6°C to 4.5°C in feet. Heat‐induced pain (HP) was induced at lower temperatures than previously reported, with a range from 41.8°C to 44.5°C in hands and from 43.2 to 45.7°C in feet. Similar to HP, cold pain was also induced at much higher temperatures, between 21.4–17.3°C in hands and 21.5–16.5°C in feet. Vibratory stimuli ranged from 0.8 to 1.7 μ/sec in hands and from 1.4 to 3.5 μ/sec in feet.ConclusionTemperature and vibration thresholds were similar to those previously reported in other populations except for pain thresholds that were lower in this population than in the Caucasian population.