bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Consistency of children's dietary choices: annual repeat measures from 5 to 13 years (EarlyBird 49)
Authors: Frémeaux Alissa E. , Hosking Joanne , Metcalf Brad S. , Jeffery Alison N. , Voss Linda D. , Wilkin Terence J. 
Published: May 2011

The objective of the present study was to explore the consistency of dietary choices made by children as they grow up. The dietary habits of 342 healthy children were reported annually from 5 to 13 years on a forty-five-item FFQ and analysed by factor analysis. The same two principal dietary patterns – ‘Healthy’ and ‘Unhealthy’ – emerged each year, and their consistency was assessed using Tucker's congruence coefficient (φ). Individual dietary z-scores for both of these patterns were then calculated every year for each child, and their consistency was measured by Pearson's correlation coefficient (r). Linear mixed-effects modelling was used to investigate individual trends and to quantify reliability of the individual dietary z-scores. Dietary patterns were moderately consistent and systematic over time (0·65 ≤ φHealthy ≤ 0·76; 0·62 ≤ φUnhealthy ≤ 0·78). Individual choices were also consistent year-on-year (0·64 ≤ rHealthy ≤ 0·71; 0·57 ≤ rUnhealthy ≤ 0·68). Reliability rose from 70 % with a single measure to over 90 % with four consecutive measures. The quality of diet diminished over time in 29 % of the children and improved in only 14 %. Dietary habits appear to be set early and seldom improve spontaneously.
High blood pressure-lowering and vasoprotective effects of milk products in experimental hypertension
Authors: Ehlers Pauliina I. , Kivimäki Anne S. , Turpeinen Anu M. , Korpela Riitta , Vapaatalo Heikki 
Published: May 2011

Milk casein-derived angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE)-inhibitory tripeptides isoleucine-proline-proline (Ile-Pro-Pro) and valine-proline-proline (Val-Pro-Pro) have been shown to have antihypertensive effects in human subjects and to attenuate the development of hypertension in experimental models. The aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of a fermented milk product containing Ile-Pro-Pro and Val-Pro-Pro and plant sterols on already established hypertension, endothelial dysfunction and aortic gene expression. Male spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) with baseline systolic blood pressure (SBP) of 195 mmHg were given either active milk (tripeptides and plant sterols), milk or waterad libitumfor 6 weeks. SBP was measured weekly by the tail-cuff method. The endothelial function of mesenteric arteries was investigated at the end of the study. Aortas were collected for DNA microarray study (Affymetrix Rat Gene 1.0 ST Array). The main finding was that active milk decreased SBP by 16 mmHg compared with water (178 (sem3)v.195 (sem3) mmHg;P < 0·001). Milk also had an antihypertensive effect. Active milk improved mesenteric artery endothelial dysfunction by NO-dependent and endothelium-derived hyperpolarising factor-dependent mechanisms. Treatment with active milk caused mild changes in aortic gene expression; twenty-seven genes were up-regulated and eighty-two down-regulated. Using the criteria for fold change (fc) < 0·833 or > 1·2 andP < 0·05, the most affected (down-regulated) signalling pathways were hedgehog, chemokine and leucocyte transendothelial migration pathways. ACE expression was also slightly decreased (fc 0·86;P = 0·047). In conclusion, long-term treatment with fermented milk enriched with tripeptides and plant sterols decreases SBP, improves endothelial dysfunction and affects signalling pathways related to inflammatory responses in SHR.
CALIBRATION AND VALIDATION OF FAO-AQUACROP MODEL FOR IRRIGATED AND WATER DEFICIENT BAMBARA GROUNDNUT
Authors: KARUNARATNE A. S. , AZAM-ALI S. N. , IZZI G. , STEDUTO P. 
Published: May 2011

SUMMARYSimulation of yield response to water plays an increasingly important role in optimization of crop water productivity (WP) especially in prevalent drought in Africa. The present study is focused on a representative crop: bambara groundnut (Vigna subterranea), an ancient grain legume grown, cooked, processed and traded mainly by subsistence women farmers in sub-Saharan Africa. Over four years (2002, 2006–2008), glasshouse experiments were conducted at the Tropical Crops Research Unit, University of Nottingham, UK under controlled environments with different landraces, temperatures (23 ± 5 °C, 28 ± 5 °C, 33 ± 5 °C) and soil moisture regimes (irrigated, early drought, late drought). Parallel to this, field experiments were conducted in Swaziland (2002/2003) and Botswana (2007/2008). Crop measurements of canopy cover (CC), biomass (B) and pod yield (Y) of selected experiments from glasshouse (2006 and 2007) and field (Botswana) were used to calibrate the FAO AquaCrop model. Subsequently, the model was validated against independent data sets from glasshouse (2002 and 2008) and field (Swaziland) for different landraces. AquaCrop simulations for CC, B and Y of different bambara groundnut landraces are in good agreement with observed data with R2 (CC-0.88; B-0.78; Y-0.72), but with significant underestimation for some landraces.
Bacterial symbiont and salivary peptide evolution in the context of leech phylogeny
Authors: SIDDALL MARK E. , MIN GI-SIK , FONTANELLA FRANK M. , PHILLIPS ANNA J. , WATSON SARA C. 
Published: May 2011

SUMMARYThe evolutionary history of leeches is employed as a general framework for understanding more than merely the systematics of this charismatic group of annelid worms, and serves as a basis for understanding blood-feeding related correlates ranging from the specifics of gut-associated bacterial symbionts to salivary anticoagulant peptides. A variety of medicinal leech families were examined for intraluminal crop bacterial symbionts. Species ofAeromonasand Bacteroidetes were characterized with DNA gyrase B and 16S rDNA. Bacteroidetes isolates were found to be much more phylogenetically diverse and suggested stronger evidence of phylogenetic correlation than the gammaproteobacteria. Patterns that look like co-speciation with limited taxon sampling do not in the full context of phylogeny. Bioactive compounds that are expressed as gene products, like those in leech salivary glands, have ‘passed the test’ of evolutionary selection. We produced and bioinformatically mined salivary gland EST libraries across medicinal leech lineages to experimentally and statistically evaluate whether evolutionary selection on peptides can identify structure-function activities of known therapeutically relevant bioactive compounds like antithrombin, hirudin and antistasin. The combined information content of a well corroborated leech phylogeny and broad taxonomic coverage of expressed proteins leads to a rich understanding of evolution and function in leech history.
Trajectory estimation of a skid-steering mobile robot propelled by independently driven wheels
Authors: Okada Tokuji , Mahmoud Abeer , Botelho Wagner Tanaka , Shimizu Toshimi 
Published: May 2011

SUMMARYThis paper analyses a mobile robot with independently rotating wheels travelling on uneven but smooth ground, including ascending or descending surfaces. We formulate a mathematical expression for the energy cost of the robot's movement. For our analysis, we utilise the principle of virtual work and assume that the robot moves with a fixed arrangement of wheel axes and without using a steering handle. The mathematical model reveals that the coefficient of friction and the payload distribution dominate the wheel behaviour, including slipping and skidding. We minimise the virtual work expression to determine the robot's motion complying with driven wheels. The model also enables us to estimate trajectories for different ground conditions. A hybrid robot, PEOPLER-II, is used to demonstrate the predicted motions, including turns and spins, by following angular velocity control rules. Experimental data verifies that the proposed formulation and minimisation of virtual work are valid techniques for predicting a robot's trajectory. The method described is widely applicable to wheeled robots having independently driven wheels.
Revised population estimate and trends for the Endangered Northern Rockhopper Penguin Eudyptes moseleyi at Tristan da Cunha
Authors: ROBSON BRAD , GLASS TREVOR , GLASS NORMAN , GLASS JAMES , GREEN JERRY , REPETTO CLIFTON , RODGERS GRAHAM , RONCONI ROBERT A. , RYAN PETER G. , SWAIN GEORGE , CUTHBERT RICHARD J. 
Published: May 2011

AbstractAround 80% of the world population of Northern Rockhopper Penguin Eudyptes moseleyi is found at Tristan da Cunha and Gough Island in the South Atlantic Ocean, where populations appear to be declining. However, numbers of birds at Middle Island, a small satellite island of Nightingale Island at Tristan Cunha, have not been counted since 1973 when an estimated 100,000 pairs were recorded. Updated population counts were obtained for all four islands at Tristan da Cunha (Tristan, Inaccessible, Nightingale and Middle islands) in 2009 providing a census of the whole island group and the first repeat count of Middle Island. Estimated breeding numbers at these four islands were Tristan 6,700 pairs, Inaccessible 54,000 pairs, Nightingale 25,000 pairs and 83,000 pairs at Middle Island. These counts confirm that Tristan da Cunha is a vitally important site for this ?Endangered? species holding over 65% of the global population and that breeding number have been relatively stable over the last 30 years.
Age-dependent effects of milrinone and levosimendan on ventricular function and haemodynamics in newborn and mature pigs
Authors: Hyldebrandt Janus A. , Larsen Signe H. , Schmidt Michael R. , Hjortdal Vibeke E. , Ravn Hanne B. 
Published: May 2011

AbstractInodilators are used in the treatment of low cardiac output, mainly after cardiac surgery. At present, there is little knowledge of the effect of inodilators in the newborn heart. Immediately after birth and in the neonatal period, the metabolism and physiology of the heart undergo major changes. We hypothesised that effects of the inodilators milrinone and levosimendan on myocardial contractility and haemodynamics under normal physiological conditions were age dependent. Animal studies were conducted on 48 pigs using a closed-chest biventricular conductance catheter method. Pigs in two age groups, that is, 5–6 days and 5–6 weeks, were assigned to milrinone, levosimendan, or a control group. We observed that both milrinone – 19.2% with a p value of 0.05 – and levosimendan – 25.7% with a p value of 0.03 compared with the control group increased cardiac output, as well as myocardial contractility with a maximum pressure development over time: milrinone 28.2%, p = 0.01 and levosimendan 19.4%, p = 0.05. Milrinone improved diastolic performance (p < 0.05) in the left ventricle in the 5–6-week-old animals. In the newborn animals, neither of the inodilators increased ventricular contractility or cardiac output; however, we observed a significant decrease in the mean arterial pressure: milrinone 34.6%, p < 0.01 and levosimendan 30.1%, p = 0.02. Both inodilators demonstrated age-dependent haemodynamic effects, and it is noteworthy that neither milrinone nor levosimendan was able to increase cardiac output in the newborn heart.
Retrospective, Analytical Study of Field First Aid following the Wenchuan Earthquake in China
Authors: Haojun Fan , Jianqi Song , Shike Hou 
Published: May 2011

AbstractField first-aid data from the Wenchuan Earthquake in China was analyzed retrospectively in order to probe into ways to develop field first-aid operations and provide a reference for future emergency rescue. Related documents about the Wenchuan Earthquake were collected and reviewed. The state of injury and leading causes of death during the disaster were identified. The presnece of emergency medical resources on-site after the earthquake was relatively insufficient. Deaths mainly were due to cardiopulmonary arrest, severe craniocerebral injury, incurable hemorrhagic shock, and crush syndrome that caused multiple organ system dysfunction syndrome. Only by strengthening the on-site emergency medical resources, speeding-up triage, and equipping responders with professional, portable medical equipment, can field first-aid operations be delivered more efficiently.
An Open-Source Engine for the Processing of Electron Backscatter Patterns: EBSD-Image
Authors: Pinard Philippe T. , Lagacé Marin , Hovington Pierre , Thibault Denis , Gauvin Raynald 
Published: May 2011

AbstractAn open source software package dedicated to processing stored electron backscatter patterns is presented. The package gives users full control over the type and order of operations that are performed on electron backscatter diffraction (EBSD) patterns as well as the results obtained. The current version of EBSD-Image (www.ebsd-image.org) offers a flexible and structured interface to calculate various quality metrics over large datasets. It includes unique features such as practical file formats for storing diffraction patterns and analysis results, stitching of mappings with automatic reorganization of their diffraction patterns, and routines for processing data on a distributed computer grid. Implementations of the algorithms used in the software are described and benchmarked using simulated diffraction patterns. Using those simulated EBSD patterns, the detection of Kikuchi bands in EBSD-Image was found to be comparable to commercially available EBSD systems. In addition, 24 quality metrics were evaluated based on the ability to assess the level of deformation in two samples (copper and iron) deformed using 220 grit SiC grinding paper. Fourteen metrics were able to properly measure the deformation gradient of the samples.
The Tian–Yau–Zelditch Theorem and Toeplitz Operators
Authors: Burns Daniel , Guillemin Victor 
Published: May 2011

AbstractZelditch's proof of the Tian–Yau–Zelditch Theorem makes use of the Boutet de Monvel–Sjöstrand results on the asymptotic properties of Szegö projectors for strictly pseudoconvex domains. However, as we will show below, the theorem is also closely related to another theorem of Boutet de Monvel's, namely his wave trace formula for Toeplitz operators. Finally, we will derive, for the pseudoconvex manifolds considered by Zelditch in his proof of the Tian–Yau–Zelditch Theorem, an analogue of another result of Boutet de Monvel's, the extendability theorem of Berndtsson for holomorphic functions on Grauert tubes.
The Froot-Stein Model Revisited
Authors: Høgh N. , Linton O. , Nielsen J. P. 
Published: May 2011

ABSTRACTWe investigate the model of Froot & Stein (1998), a model which has very strong implications for risk management. We argue that their conclusions are too strong and need to be qualified. We also argue that their analysis is incorrect and incomplete. Specifically, there are some unusual consequences of their model, which may be linked to the chosen pricing formula.
Unit-Linked Life Insurance Contracts with Lapse Rates Dependent on Economic Factors
Authors: Kolkiewicz A. W. , Tan K. S. 
Published: May 2011

ABSTRACTMany recently introduced unit-linked life insurance policies contain provisions allowing policyholders to lapse the product. The problem of pricing this surrender option is difficult as it involves modelling lapse decisions which may be contingent on different factors. This paper develops a methodology which enables us to model lapse behaviour within a framework provided by developments in financial economics. Using marked point processes with stochastic intensities, we present an approach which accounts for changes in the lapse behaviour of policyholders due to different economic factors. As a result, the model produces more accurate financial values for insurance contracts contingent on financial markets. In the context of unit-linked policies, we illustrate the method by allowing the lapse decision to depend on the stochastic volatility of the underlying asset. Our simulation study indicates that there is a strong relation between the single premiums of these policies and the lapse behaviour.
Defined Contribution Based Pension Plans
Authors: Lindset S. 
Published: May 2011

ABSTRACTIn this paper we address the problem of valuing (corporate) pension plans, and in particular defined contribution based pension plans. Several pension plans are proposed, both with and without rate of return guarantees. Both maturity and annual guarantees are considered. Emphasis is also given to the risk management of pension plans.To tie the analysis closer to real-world problems, we allow for both periodic premium and pension payments and mortality risk to be taken into account. Some new results on forward-start guarantees are also derived.
Multiplicative Hazard Models for Studying the Evolution of Mortality
Authors: Guillen M. , Nielsen J. P. , Perez-Marin A. M. 
Published: May 2011

ABSTRACTAlmost all over the world, decreasing mortality rates and increasing life expectancy have led to greater interest in estimating and predicting mortality. Here we describe some of the pitfalls which can result from the use of the standardised mortality ratio (SMR) while evaluating the development of mortality over time, in particular when SMRs are applied to insurance portfolios varying dramatically over time. Although an excellent comparative study of a single-figure index for a number of countries was recently done by Macdonaldet al. (1998), we advocate care when attempting to extend this type of method to insurance data. Here we promote the use of genuine multiplicative modelling such as in Felipeet al. (2001), who compared the mortality rates in Denmark and Spain. The starting point for our study was the two-dimensional mortality estimator of Nielsen & Linton (1995), which considers mortality as a function of chronological time and age. From the principle of marginal integration (see Nielsen & Linton, 1995, and Lintonet al., 2003), estimators of the multiplicative model can be obtained from this two-dimensional estimator. An application of the method is provided for mortality data of the United States of America, England & Wales, France, Italy, Japan and Russia.
Predictive Distributions of Outstanding Liabilities in General Insurance
Authors: England P. D. , Verrall R. J. 
Published: May 2011

ABSTRACTThis paper extends the methods introduced in England & Verrall (2002), and shows how predictive distributions of outstanding liabilities in general insurance can be obtained using bootstrap or Bayesian techniques for clearly defined statistical models. A general procedure for bootstrapping is described, by extending the methods introduced in England & Verrall (1999), England (2002) and Pinheiro et al. (2003). The analogous Bayesian estimation procedure is implemented using Markov-chain Monte Carlo methods, where the models are constructed as Bayesian generalised linear models using the approach described by Dellaportas & Smith (1993). In particular, this paper describes a way of obtaining a predictive distribution from recursive claims reserving models, including the well known model introduced by Mack (1993). Mack's model is useful, since it can be used with data sets which exhibit negative incremental amounts. The techniques are illustrated with examples, and the resulting predictive distributions from both the bootstrap and Bayesian methods are compared.
Unfinished Accounting Issues: Incorporating Fair Value and Prudence in Accounting Theory
Authors: Asher A. 
Published: May 2011

ABSTRACTThe International Accounting Standards Board (IASB) is introducing new International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) which aim to make financial statements more useful. The process has generated considerable debate. This paper is a contribution to the debate, in the particular context of insurance accounting, and attempts to provide a coherent framework for accounting theory which makes a clear distinction between retrospective statements required for administrative accountability, fair value for current market transactions and to measure value creation, and a prospective prudence required to protect policyholders, depositors and other creditors. It is argued that the IASB's founding purpose to provide a single set of accounts is therefore incoherent; different purposes require different numbers. This also implies that fair value accounts should attempt to value intangible assets. In this context, actuarial analyses of surplus would greatly assist in measuring whether model assumptions are appropriate.
Regression Quantile Analysis of Claim Termination Rates for Income Protection Insurance
Authors: Pitt D. G. W. 
Published: May 2011

ABSTRACTThis paper investigates the use of censored regression quantiles in the analysis of claim termination rates for income protection (IP) insurance. The paper demonstrates the importance of modeling quantiles given the growing interest of regulators and others in stochastic approaches to valuation of insurance liabilities and risk margins.
Empirical Evidence on the Use of Dynamic Solvency Testing and Financial Condition Reporting in the United Kingdom Life Insurance Industry
Authors: Shiu Y.-M. , Moles P. , Adams A. T. , Chan C.-C. 
Published: May 2011

ABSTRACTTo gain insight into the use of Dynamic Solvency Testing (DST) and Financial Condition Reporting (FCR), a questionnaire was distributed to Appointed Actuaries in United Kingdom life offices. The response rate of the main survey was 76%. An independent-samples t-test for non-respondent bias was conducted and the results suggest that the respondent sample is representative of the survey population. Results from the 62 firms responding revealed: (1) Scenario testing was the most commonly used DST techniques. (2) Most life offices regularly run less than ten scenarios in scenario testing. (3) Most life offices reported using a five-year forecast period in DST. (4) The two most commonly seen difficulties are: difficulties in communicating complex issues to non-specialists, and how to present extremely adverse scenarios without causing undue concern. (5) Nearly all life offices use FCR. (6) Guidance Note 2 is generally considered acceptable. (7) Compared with the results reported by previous studies, the use of DST techniques is now more common in life offices. (8) There is a significant difference in DST/FCR practices between with-profits and non-profit offices.
Prediction Error of the Chain Ladder Reserving Method applied to Correlated Run-off Triangles
Authors: Merz M. , Wüthrich M. V. 
Published: May 2011

ABSTRACTIn Buchwalder et al. (2006) we revisited Mack's (1993) and Murphy's (1994) estimates for the mean square error of prediction (MSEP) of the chain ladder claims reserving method. This was done using a time series model for the chain ladder method. In this paper we extend the time series model to determine an estimate for the MSEP of a portfolio of N correlated run-off triangles. This estimate differs in the special case N = 2 from the estimate given by Braun (2004). We discuss the differences between the estimates.