bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Taylor Approximations for Model Uncertainty within the Tweedie Exponential Dispersion Family
Authors: Alai Daniel H. , Wüthrich Mario V. 
Published: December 2009

AbstractThe use of generalized linear models (GLM) to estimate claims reserves has become a standard method in insurance. Most frequently, the exponential dispersion family (EDF) is used; see e.g. England, Verrall. We study the so-called Tweedie EDF and test the sensitivity of the claims reserves and their mean square error of predictions (MSEP) over this family. Furthermore, we develop second order Taylor approximations for the claims reserves and the MSEPs for members of the Tweedie family that are difficult to obtain in practice, but are close enough to models for which claims reserves and MSEP estimations are easy to determine. As a result of multiple case studies, we find that claims reserves estimation is relatively insensitive to which distribution is chosen amongst the Tweedie family, in contrast to the MSEP, which varies widely.
Asymptotic Ruin Probabilities of the Lévy Insurance Model under Periodic Taxation
Authors: Hao Xuemiao , Tang Qihe 
Published: December 2009

AbstractRecently, Albrecher and his coauthors have published a series of papers on the ruin probability of the Lévy insurance model under the so-called loss-carry-forward taxation, meaning that taxes are paid at a certain fixed rate immediately when the surplus of the company is at a running maximum. In this paper we assume periodic taxation under which the company pays tax at a fixed rate on its net income during each period. We devote ourselves to deriving explicit asymptotic relations for the ruin probability in the most general Lévy insurance model in which the Lévy measure has a subexponential tail, a convolution-equivalent tail, or an exponential-like tail.
Association Between a CTGF Gene Polymorphism and Systemic Sclerosis in a French Population
Authors: GRANEL BRIGITTE , ARGIRO LAURENT , HACHULLA ERIC , FAJARDY ISABELLE , WEILLER PIERRE-JEAN , DURAND JEAN-MARC , FRANCES YVES , DOMBEY ANNE-MARIE , MARQUET SANDRINE , LESAVRE NATHALIE , DISDIER PATRICK , BERNARD FANNY , HATRON PIERRE-YVES , CHEVILLARD CHRISTOPHE 
Published: December 2009

Objective. Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is a life-threatening autoimmune disease characterized by chronic fibrosis of the skin and internal organs. Connective tissue growth factor (CTGF) is believed to be a primary mediator of chronic fibrosis. We assessed the possible association between 7 single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) in the CTGF gene and scleroderma in a French population (registration number 2006/0182).Methods. We conducted a case-control study with 241 scleroderma patients and 269 controls. Seven SNP were genotyped using the TaqMan system. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed. In silico electrophoretic mobility shift assay (EMSA), and reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction analyses were done to assess the effect of the SNP on CTGF gene expression.Results. The frequency of the rs9399005TT genotype was significantly lower in SSc patients than in controls. This association remained significant after adjustment for gender. An association was detected between the rs9399005 and the diffuse and limited cutaneous forms. Multivariate analysis between SSc patients and controls taking into account all 7 SNP and sex revealed that only sex and the rs9399005 SNP were associated with disease. DNA analysis by EMSA indicated that the T allele bound nuclear factors that were also bound by the C allele. The binding affinity was higher for the T allele. Analysis of the human database and experiments with human hepatocyte cell line indicated the existence of an alternative transcript containing the rs9399005 polymorphism in its 3’UTR region. In silico analysis indicated that this polymorphism may alter the structure of CTGF messenger RNA.Conclusion. These findings suggest that CTGF gene polymorphisms may contribute to susceptibility to scleroderma.
Gonadal apoptosis during sex reversal of the rice field eel: implications for an evolutionarily conserved role of the molecular chaperone heat shock protein 10
Authors: He Yan , Shang Xuan , Sun Junhua , Zhang Lei , Zhao Wei , Tian Yihao , Cheng Hanhua , Zhou Rongjia 
Published: December 2009

AbstractRole of apoptosis in gonadal transformation of the rice field eel remains unknown. Here we report characterization of apoptotic pattern of testis, ovary, and ovotestis of the rice field eel, a vertebrate with natural sex reversal characteristic. DNA laddering assay showed typical ladder with step around 200 bp in the gonads, especially in testis. Terminal transferase dUTP nick end labeling on gonads indicated obvious apoptotic signals in the seminiferous tubules. Western blot analysis revealed that pro‐apoptotic genes, Caspase 9 and p53, were upregulated and anti‐apoptotic factor Bcl2 was downregulated in testis compared with both ovary and ovotestis. These data indicated that sex reversal process is accompanied by gonadal apoptosis with the highest proportion of cell death in the testis. Furthermore, we identified the Hsp10 by differentially screening of testis, ovary, and ovotestis using microarray technique, which is evolutionarily conserved and differentially expressed during gonadal transformation. Downregulation of Hsp10 is consistent with high apoptosis during the gonadal transformation. Flow cytometry assay confirmed that Hsp10 inhibits the apoptosis in male gonadal cells. Moreover, upregulation and mis‐localization at sub‐cellular level of the HSP10 together with its partner HSP60 is associated with tumorigenesis in human testis. These results suggest that downregulation of Hsp10 would be one of the main causes of apoptosis in testis, overexpression of Hsp10 suppresses apoptosis, and potentially results in testis tumorigenesis, which provide clues for understanding the mechanisms of germ cell apoptosis. Development of Hsp10 as a diagnostic marker or even treatment target will be promising in testis cancer diagnosis and therapy. J. Exp. Zool. (Mol. Dev. Evol.) 314B:257–266, 2010. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Resection margins and other prognostic factors regarding surgically treated glottic carcinomas
Authors: Karatzanis Alexander D. , Waldfahrer Frank , Psychogios George , Hornung Joachim , Zenk Johannes , Velegrakis George A. , Iro Heinrich 
Published: December 2009

AbstractBackground and ObjectivesThis study aims to assess the prognostic significance of free histopathologic margins in the surgical treatment of glottic cancer. Furthermore, it evaluates other prognostic factors regarding cases that receive surgical management for glottic lesions.MethodsA retrospective case‐series study was conducted at an academic tertiary referral center. The files of 1,314 cases that underwent primary surgical treatment for glottic cancer were studied. Various prognostic factors, including age, surgical procedure, T classification, N classification, histological grade, and status of margins were assessed in univariate and multivariate analyses. All variables were investigated for their association with local and regional disease control as well as disease specific and overall survival.ResultsStatus of margins significantly affected disease specific survival and local control regardless of tumor stage in this series. All other variables assessed in the univariate analysis for their association with survival were also found to be significant. However, status of surgical margins and N classification were the only significant variables in multivariate analysis.ConclusionThe prognostic value of negative surgical margins for the treatment of glottic cancer cannot be overestimated. Responsibility of the surgeon during primary surgical treatment of glottic carcinomas is emphasized. J. Surg. Oncol. 2010;101:131–136. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Explicit integration of bounding surface model for the analysis of earthquake soil liquefaction
Authors: Andrianopoulos Konstantinos I. , Papadimitriou Achilleas G. , Bouckovalas George D. 
Published: December 2009

AbstractThis paper presents a new plasticity model developed for the simulation of monotonic and cyclic loading of non‐cohesive soils and its implementation to the commercial finite‐difference code FLAC, using its User‐Defined‐Model (UDM) capability. The new model incorporates the framework of Critical State Soil Mechanics, while it relies upon bounding surface plasticity with a vanished elastic region to simulate the non‐linear soil response. Stress integration of constitutive relations is performed using a recently proposed explicit scheme with automatic error control and substepping, which so far has been employed in the literature only for constitutive models aiming at monotonic loading. The overall accuracy of this scheme is evaluated at element level by simulating cyclic loading along complex stress paths and by using iso‐error maps for paths involving change of the Lode angle. The performance of the new constitutive model and its stress integration scheme in complex boundary value problems involving earthquake‐induced liquefaction is evaluated, in terms of accuracy and computational cost, via a number of parametric analyses inspired by the successful simulation of the VELACS centrifuge Model Test No. 2 studying the lateral spreading response of a liquefied sand layer. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Sexual functioning in long‐term survivors of Hodgkin's lymphoma
Authors: Recklitis Christopher J. , Sanchez Varela Veronica , Ng Andrea , Mauch Peter , Bober Sharon 
Published: December 2009

AbstractObjective: Studies of Hodgkin's lymphoma (HL) survivors have reported long‐term adjustment problems including sexual dysfunction, but the prevalence and persistence of sexual problems in HL survivors have not been well characterized. This study aimed to address these questions by comparing sexual health in a large cohort of long‐term HL survivors with a noncancer control group.Methods: A mailed survey including questions about current sexual problems and sexual satisfaction was completed by 465 HL survivors and 205 sibling controls. Survivors ranged from 20 to 82 years (median=44) and were treated ⩾7 years prior (median=18).Results: Sexual problems were commonly reported by HL survivors, with 54.2% reporting decreased sexual activity and 41.4% reporting decreased interest. When survivors' current sexual functioning was compared with the control group, however, no differences were found, and overall sexual satisfaction was positive in both groups. Among survivors, age was not associated with sexual problems but had a small significant negative association with satisfaction (ρ=−0.12; p<0.05). No associations between time since diagnosis, disease stage, and chemotherapy treatment and sexual functioning were found.Conclusions: Consistent with previous studies, HL survivors reported high rates of current sexual problems. However, no differences in sexual problems or sexual satisfaction were found between survivors and controls. Results indicate that over the long term, survivors' sexual functioning does not differ from noncancer controls. Findings underscore the importance of including healthy control groups to determine whether difficulties reported by cancer survivors can be attributed to cancer treatment. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Gastric Clipping for Morbid Obesity: The Initial Results of a Clinical Trial
Authors: Chao Seh‐Huang 
Published: December 2009

AbstractObjectiveWe inaugurated a clinical trial using laparoscopic gastric clipping to treat morbid obesity patients. We report the 2‐year results.DesignTen patients with morbid obesity underwent laparoscopic gastric clipping to promote weight loss. A novel metallic clip was applied to the outside wall of the upper fundus of the stomach by a laparoscopic technique. The clip allowed a restricted passage of meals through a mucosa tunnel 0.4–0.6 cm in diameter.MeasurementsThe body weight and feeding status of the patients were monitored periodically. Barium meal studies at 1 day and 2 years after the clipping were compared.ResultsTen patients (3 men, 7 women) with body weight of 117 ± 18.2 kg (101.8–156.5) and body mass index (BMI) 43.4 ± 5.2 (40–56) were included. The gastric clips were successfully applied laparoscopically in all patients. The operation time ranged from 65 to 210 minutes and showed a learning curve. The excess body weight loss was progressive and long lasting postoperatively. The mean BMI and percentage of excess body weight loss at the 2‐year period was 32.01 ± 4.89 kg/m2 and 64.4%, respectively. The mean BMI 2 years after surgery was significantly decreased compared with that before surgery. Barium meal studies did not show significant sliding or migration of the clips at 2‐year follow‐up. No mortality or late complications occurred.ConclusionsOur results indicate that laparoscopic gastric clipping is a safe, simple, and effective treatment for patients with morbid obesity.
The role of crown architecture, leaf phenology and photosynthetic activity in promoting complementary use of light among coexisting species in temperate forests
Authors: Ishii Hiroaki , Asano Shoko 
Published: December 2009

AbstractMixed forests comprising multiple tree species with contrasting crown architectures, leaf phenologies, and photosynthetic activity, tend to have high ecosystem productivity. We propose that in such forests, differentiation among coexisting species in their spatial and temporal strategies for light interception, results in complementary use of light. Spatial differentiation among coexisting tree species occurs as a result of adaptation of crown architecture and shoot/leaf morphology to the spatially variable light conditions of the canopy, sub‐canopy, and understory. Temporal differentiation occurs as a result of variation in leaf phenology and photosynthetic activity. The arrangement of leaves in both space and time is an important aspect of plant strategies for light interception and determines photosynthetic carbon gain of the plant canopy. For example, at the shoot level, morphological and phenological differentiation between long and short shoots reflects their respective shoot functions, indicating that spatial and temporal strategies for light interception are linked. Complementary use of light is a consequence of the spatiotemporal differentiation in light interception among coexisting species. Because coexisting species may show differentiation in strategies for resource acquisition (functional diversification) or convergence with respect to some limiting resource (functional convergence), the relative importance of various crown functions and their contribution to growth and survival of individuals need to be evaluated quantitatively and compared among coexisting species.
Colloidal Palladium Particles of Different Shapes for Electron Microscopy Labeling
Authors: Meyer Daryl A. , Oliver Julie A. , Albrecht Ralph M. 
Published: December 2009

AbstractThe immunogold technique is a valuable method for labeling cellular macromolecules. However, multiple labeling using colloidal gold (cAu) nanoparticles of different sizes presents certain drawbacks; namely, as particle size increases, there is a decreased labeling efficiency and diminished spatial resolution with respect to the locations of labeled epitopes. Both concerns also limit the utility of heavy metal particles for comparative analysis of labeling densities. To minimize the variables due to differential labeling efficiencies, the best solution would be to conduct multiple labeling with particles of similar size. Consequently, some parameter other than size is necessary to distinguish each label type. In this study, we report the synthesis of colloidal palladium (cPd) nanoparticles of similar size but having two distinct shapes, umbonate and faceted, which are readily distinguishable from spherical colloidal gold particles. Their utility and fidelity as labels using a human platelet whole-mount model is also demonstrated.
Crenarchaeol dominates the membrane lipids of Candidatus Nitrososphaera gargensis, a thermophilic Group I.1b Archaeon
Authors: Pitcher Angela , Rychlik Nicolas , Hopmans Ellen C , Spieck Eva , Rijpstra W Irene C , Ossebaar Jort , Schouten Stefan , Wagner Michael , Sinninghe Damsté Jaap S 
Published: December 2009

Abstract
Analyses of archaeal membrane lipids are increasingly being included in ecological studies as a comparatively unbiased complement to gene-based microbiological approaches. For example, crenarchaeol, a glycerol dialkyl glycerol tetraether (GDGT) with a unique cyclohexane moiety, has been postulated as biomarker for ammonia-oxidizing Archaea (AOA). Crenarchaeol has been detected in Nitrosopumilus maritimus and ‘Candidatus Nitrosocaldus yellowstonii’ representing two of the three lineages within the Crenarchaeota containing described AOA. In this paper we present the membrane GDGT composition of ‘Candidatus Nitrososphaera gargensis’, a moderately thermophilic AOA, and the only cultivated Group I.1b Crenarchaeon. At a cultivation temperature of 46 °C, GDGTs of this organism consisted primarily of crenarchaeol, its regioisomer, and a novel GDGT. Intriguingly, ‘Ca. N. gargensis’ is the first cultivated archaeon to synthesize substantial amounts of the crenarchaeol regioisomer, a compound found in large relative abundances in tropical ocean water and some soils, and an important component of the TEX86 paleothermometer. Intact polar lipid (IPL) analysis revealed that ‘Ca. N. gargensis’ synthesizes IPLs similar to those reported for the Goup I.1a AOA, Nitrosopumilus maritimus SCMI, in addition to IPLs containing uncharacterized headgroups. Overall, the unique GDGT composition of ‘Ca. N. gargensis’ extends the known taxonomic distribution of crenarchaeol synthesis to the Group I.1b Crenarchaeota, implicating this clade as a potentially important source of crenarchaeol in soils and moderately high temperature environments. Moreover, this work supports the hypothesis that crenarchaeol is specific to all AOA and highlights specific lipids, which may prove useful as biomarkers for ‘Ca. N. gargensis’-like AOA.
Label-free detection of protein-protein interactions using a calmodulin-modified nanowire transistor
Authors: Lin Tsung-Wu , Hsieh Po-Jen , Lin Chih-Lung , Fang Yi-Ya , Yang Jia-Xun , Tsai Chia-Chang , Chiang Pei-Ling , Pan Chien-Yuan , Chen Yit-Tsong 
Published: December 2009

In this study, we describe a highly sensitive and reusable silicon nanowire field-effect transistor for the detection of protein-protein interactions. This reusable device was made possible by the reversible association of glutathione S-transferase-tagged calmodulin with a glutathione modified transistor. The calmodulin-modified transistor exhibited selective electrical responses to Ca2+(≥1 μM) and purified cardiac troponin I (∼7 nM); the change in conductivity displayed a linear dependence on the concentration of troponin I in a range from 10 nM to 1 μM. These results are consistent with the previously reported concentration range in which the dissociation constant for the troponin I-calmodulin complex was determined. The minimum concentration of Ca2+required to activate calmodulin was determined to be 1 μM. We have also successfully demonstrated that the N-type Ca2+channels, expressed by cultured 293T cells, can be recognized specifically by the calmodulin-modified nanowire transistor. This sensitive nanowire transistor can serve as a high-throughput biosensor and can also substitute for immunoprecipitation methods used in the identification of interacting proteins.
Limited contribution of stem-loop potential to symmetry of single-stranded genomic DNA
Authors: Zhang Shang-Hong , Huang Ya-Zhi 
Published: December 2009

Abstract
Motivation: The phenomenon of strand symmetry, which may provide clues to genome evolution, exists in all prokaryotic and eukaryotic genomes studied. Several possible mechanisms for its origins have been proposed, including: no strand biases for mutation and selection, strand inversion and selection of stem-loop structures. However, the relative contributions of these mechanisms to strand symmetry are not clear. In this article, we studied specifically the role of stem-loop potential of single-stranded DNA in strand symmetry.
Results: We analyzed the complete genomes of 90 prokaryotes. We found that most oligonucleotides (pentanucleotides and higher) do not have a reverse complement in close proximity in the genomic sequences. Combined with further analysis, we conclude that the contribution of the widespread stem-loop potential of single-stranded genomic DNA to the formation and maintenance of strand symmetry would be very limited, at least for higher-order oligonucleotides. Therefore, other possible causes for strand symmetry must be taken into account to a deeper degree.
Contacts: lsszsh@mail.sysu.edu.cn; molevol@mail.sysu.edu.cn
Supplementary information: Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
Kinetic and Spectral Resolution of Multiple Nonphotochemical Quenching Components in Arabidopsis Leaves
Authors: Lambrev Petar H. , Nilkens Manuela , Miloslavina Yuliya , Jahns Peter , Holzwarth Alfred R. 
Published: December 2009

Abstract
Using novel specially designed instrumentation, fluorescence emission spectra were recorded from Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana) leaves during the induction period of dark to high-light adaptation in order to follow the spectral changes associated with the formation of nonphotochemical quenching. In addition to an overall decrease of photosystem II fluorescence (quenching) across the entire spectrum, high light induced two specific relative changes in the spectra: (1) a decrease of the main emission band at 682 nm relative to the far-red (750–760 nm) part of the spectrum (Δ F682); and (2) an increase at 720 to 730 nm (Δ F720) relative to 750 to 760 nm. The kinetics of the two relative spectral changes and their dependence on various mutants revealed that they do not originate from the same process but rather from at least two independent processes. The Δ F720 change is specifically associated with the rapidly reversible energy-dependent quenching. Comparison of the wild-type Arabidopsis with mutants unable to produce or overexpressing the PsbS subunit of photosystem II showed that PsbS was a necessary component for Δ F720. The spectral change Δ F682 is induced both by energy-dependent quenching and by PsbS-independent mechanism(s). A third novel quenching process, independent from both PsbS and zeaxanthin, is activated by a high turnover rate of photosystem II. Its induction and relaxation occur on a time scale of a few minutes. Analysis of the spectral inhomogeneity of nonphotochemical quenching allows extraction of mechanistically valuable information from the fluorescence induction kinetics when registered in a spectrally resolved fashion.