bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Optimum Design of Experiments for Statistical Inference
Authors: Gilmour Steven G. , Trinca Luzia A. 
Published: April 2012

SummaryOne attractive feature of optimum design criteria, such as D- and A-optimality, is that they are directly related to statistically interpretable properties of the designs that are obtained, such as minimizing the volume of a joint confidence region for the parameters. However, the assumed relationships with inferential procedures are valid only if the variance of experimental units is assumed to be known. If the variance is estimated, then the properties of the inferences depend also on the number of degrees of freedom that are available for estimating the error variance. Modified optimality criteria are defined, which correctly reflect the utility of designs with respect to some common types of inference. For fractional factorial and response surface experiments, the designs that are obtained are quite different from those which are optimal under the standard criteria, with many more replicate points required to estimate error. The optimality of these designs assumes that inference is the only purpose of running the experiment, but in practice interpretation of the point estimates of parameters and checking for lack of fit of the treatment model assumed are also usually important. Thus, a compromise between the new criteria and others is likely to be more relevant to many practical situations. Compound criteria are developed, which take account of multiple objectives, and are applied to fractional factorial and response surface experiments. The resulting designs are more similar to standard designs but still have sufficient residual degrees of freedom to allow effective inferences to be carried out. The new procedures developed are applied to three experiments from the food industry to see how the designs used could have been improved and to several illustrative examples. The design optimization is implemented through a simple exchange algorithm.
High HIV prevalence in a southern semi‐rural area of Mozambique: a community‐based survey
Authors: González R , Munguambe K , Aponte JJ , Bavo C , Nhalungo D , Macete E , Alonso PL , Menéndez C , Naniche D 
Published: April 2012

BackgroundSouthern African countries have borne the brunt of the HIV/AIDS pandemic. Monitoring epidemiological dynamics is critical to identify the populations at greatest risk of infection and to guide control strategies.MethodsA cross‐sectional community‐based study to determine age‐ and sex‐specific HIV prevalence among individuals aged 18–47 years was carried out in Manhiça, southern Mozambique. Participants were randomly selected from the demographic surveillance system in place in the area and voluntary HIV counselling and testing were offered at home. In addition, HIV prevalence estimates from the antenatal clinic (ANC) were collected prospectively.ResultsA total of 839 individuals were invited to participate in the study. Of these, 722 were recruited (50.7% women). The overall HIV prevalence in the community was 39.9% [95% confidence interval (CI) 35.9–43.8%]. By age, the prevalence was 23.2% (95% CI 17.9–28.6%) in individuals aged 18–27 years, 41.2% (95% CI 35.6–48.3%) in those aged 28–37 years and 44.8% (95% CI 38.4–51.2%) in those aged 38–47 years. HIV prevalence was higher among women than men in all age groups. The overall HIV prevalence estimate for women in the community (43.1%; 95% CI 37.6–48.5%) was 1.4 times higher than that for those attending the ANC (29.4%; 95% CI 26.7–32.0%).ConclusionsThe high HIV prevalence found in this region suggests that the epidemic is in a mature stable phase. The lower rates in the ANC than in the community suggest that ANC evaluations may underestimate community HIV prevalence. Resources to monitor HIV infection dynamics are needed to guide targeted control strategies in countries in which the epidemic exacts the greatest toll.
A novel α‐conotoxin MII‐sensitive nicotinic acetylcholine receptor modulates [3H]‐GABA release in the superficial layers of the mouse superior colliculus
Authors: McClure‐Begley Tristan D. , Wageman Charles R. , Grady Sharon R. , Marks Michael J. , McIntosh J. Michael , Collins Allan C. , Whiteaker Paul 
Published: April 2012

J. Neurochem. (2012) 122, 48–57.AbstractMouse superficial superior colliculus (SuSC) contains dense GABAergic innervation and diverse nicotinic acetylcholine receptor subtypes. Pharmacological and genetic approaches were used to investigate the subunit compositions of nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChR) expressed on mouse SuSC GABAergic terminals. [125I]‐Epibatidine competition‐binding studies revealed that the α3β2* and α6β2* nicotinic subtype‐selective peptide α‐conotoxin MII‐blocked binding to 40 ± 5% of SuSC nAChRs. Acetylcholine‐evoked [3H]‐GABA release from SuSC crude synaptosomal preparations is calcium dependent, blocked by the voltage‐sensitive calcium channel blocker, cadmium, and the nAChR antagonist mecamylamine, but is unaffected by muscarinic, glutamatergic, P2X and 5‐HT3 receptor antagonists. Approximately 50% of nAChR‐mediated SuSC [3H]‐GABA release is inhibited by α‐conotoxin MII. However, the highly α6β2*‐subtype‐selective α‐conotoxin PIA did not affect [3H]‐GABA release. Nicotinic subunit‐null mutant mouse experiments revealed that ACh‐stimulated SuSC [3H]‐GABA release is entirely β2 subunit‐dependent. α4 subunit deletion decreased total function by >90%, and eliminated α‐conotoxin MII‐resistant release. ACh‐stimulated SuSC [3H]‐GABA release was unaffected by β3, α5 or α6 nicotinic subunit deletions. Together, these data suggest that a significant proportion of mouse SuSC nicotinic agonist‐evoked GABA‐release is mediated by a novel, α‐conotoxin MII‐sensitive α3α4β2 nAChR. The remaining α‐conotoxin MII‐resistant, nAChR agonist‐evoked SuSC GABA release appears to be mediated via α4β2* subtype nAChRs.
Peripheral blood stem cell collection in allogeneic donors: impact of venous access
Authors: Hölig Kristina , Blechschmidt Matthias , Kramer Michael , Zimmer Kristin , Kroschinsky Frank , Poppe‐Thiede Kirsten , Bornhäuser Martin , Ehninger Gerhard 
Published: April 2012

BACKGROUND: Peripheral blood stem cell (PBSC) collection is accepted as a routine procedure in related and unrelated healthy donors worldwide. Venous access can be accomplished by peripheral veins or a central venous catheter (CVC).STUDY DESING AND METHODS: We compared efficacy and tolerability of 40 PBSC collections via CVC with 6267 PBSC collections via peripheral veins in healthy allogeneic donors. Results of the leukapheresis procedures and side effects in the donors were evaluated.RESULTS: The median CD34+ cell counts on Day 5 and the results of the stem cell collection were not significantly different between the two groups of allogeneic donors. Pain or problems at the site of puncture or catheter insertion occurred in 58.6% of the donors with a CVC versus 37.8% of the donors with peripheral venous access (p = 0.03). The incidence and severity of paresthesia during the leukapheresis was not significantly different in both groups of donors (p = 0.09). During follow‐up no major adverse events related to CVC were reported.CONCLUSION: Central femoral lines proved to be safe and tolerable in healthy allogeneic donors but peripheral venous access should be preferred, whenever possible.
The incidence of hepatitis C in patients with thalassemia after screening in blood transfusion centers: a fourteen‐year study
Authors: Azarkeivan Azita , Toosi Mohsen Nasiri , Maghsudlu Mahtab , Kafiabad Sedigheh Amini , Hajibeigi Bashir , Hadizadeh Mohammad 
Published: April 2012

BACKGROUND: Blood safety is important in all transfusion centers. The aim has always been to try to guarantee the recipient's safety through careful screening and examination of donors' blood samples. In Iran the hepatitis C virus (HCV) screening test became mandatory for blood donations from 1996. We decided to determine the incidence of new cases of HCV in patients with thalassemia, after screening of blood bags was initiated.STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: The study was done on patients with complete files for anti‐HCV test results. Only cases that had a confirmed positive anti‐HCV result after a negative result were considered as new cases. The incidence rate was estimated and expressed in person‐years (PY). Also, for increased accuracy and comparison of incidence in recent years, the incidence rate was calculated at two 7‐year intervals (1996‐2002 and 2003‐2009).RESULTS: A total of 395 files were studied with a mean age of 27.5 years (SD ± 7.99 years). We had 109 (27.5%) anti‐HCV positive, of which 21 (19.2% of positive cases) were exposed after 1996 and considered as new cases. The incidence of HCV cases in 14 years (1996‐2009) was 4.2/1000 PY. The incidence in the first 7‐year period (1996‐2002) was 6.2/1000 PY and 1.3/1000 PY in the second 7‐year period (2003‐2009).CONCLUSION: The incidence of HCV is on the decline in Iran, both in blood donors and in recipients. We owe this to the improved blood safety in our transfusion center that has taken up better strategies. Even though the residual risk will never reach zero and we may still have new cases of HCV, it will definitely be with a lower rate. The fact that we have had no new cases among our patients with thalassemia since 2005 bears witness to this matter.
3  Envisioning a Pragmatic Approach to the Archaeology of Religion
Authors: Aldenderfer Mark 
Published: April 2012

ABSTRACTOver the past decade, many archaeologists have lamented over the parlous state of what is often labeled the “archaeology of religion.” Although much of the problem with the development of a satisfying approach to the study of religion in the past lies with religion itself, a notoriously difficult concept with a plethora of definitions, archaeologists themselves must acknowledge that they too bear responsibility for this unsatisfactory situation. Archaeologists have turned to the analysis of ritual in the past because it is easier to see ritual in the archaeological record than religion. But the result has been the creation of a corpus of disembodied ritual that may not fully capture the essential role that religion played in the past as a force for conservatism, transformation, or both. In this essay I argue that religion be reintroduced into the field by reminding archaeologists of what religion does. I illustrate how this can be accomplished within a program of philosophical pragmatism and an examination of contexts, contrasts, and combinations of archaeological data using two case studies.
7  Deconstructing and Recomposing the Narrative of Spiritual Life in the Chalcolithic of the Southern Levant (4500–3600 B.C.E.)
Authors: Ilan David , Rowan Yorke M. 
Published: April 2012

ABSTRACTThe serendipity of discovery can determine the process and progress of the archaeological interpretation of religious belief and ritual practice. The Chalcolithic period (4500–3600 B.C.E.) of the southern Levant is used as a case study. Had the material expressions of Chalcolithic religion been discovered in a different sequence, our understanding of that religion might have been distinctly altered. We first present a chronological narrative of discovery, with summary headlines, and then proceed to dismantle previous syntheses. Finally, we construct our own framework for understanding Chalcolithic religion, which is essentially a life‐cycle religion with extensive, almost ever‐present, ritual reference to death and the regeneration of life.
8  Materiality and Sacred Landscapes: Ulúa Style Marble Vases in Honduras
Authors: Luke Christina 
Published: April 2012

ABSTRACTIn this chapter, imagery on Ulúa marble vases from the lower Ulúa Valley of Honduras is explored from the perspective of conceptual landscapes and place‐making at Travesía. I argue that the color of the stone—white marble—and the associated iconography are related to localized understandings of paradisical ancestral spheres. The portable nature of Ulúa marble vases enabled this spiritual realm to be presented during social and political events in the region and abroad in both lower Central America and the central Maya lowlands.
11  Signs in Human Hands: A Model for the Intonated Object
Authors: Anderson Emily S. K. 
Published: April 2012

ABSTRACTArtifacts deemed to have played a religious or ritual role in past societies belong to a broader analytical category of “symbolic” material culture. This chapter explores a new approach to such material culture, in which each symbolic object is understood as a “once‐occurrent” dialogic interaction involving (1) coded cultural content, (2) particular material and contextual attributes, and (3) a situated synthesizing human perspective. Drawing on the work of Mikhail Bakhtin among others, an embodied semiotic approach to symbolic objects is outlined, which identifies the constitution of the object not in its elusive past meaning but in the unique and dynamic relationship of its component parts. This approach positions the human actor not merely as an external evaluator of the object but as a fundamental element of its very definition. Discussion of a group of seal stones from Bronze Age Crete illustrates these ideas.
Implementation of the Exception From Informed Consent Regulations in a Large Multicenter Emergency Clinical Trials Network: The RAMPART Experience
Authors: Silbergleit Robert , Biros Michelle H. , Harney Deneil , Dickert Neal , Baren Jill ,   on behalf of the NETT Investigators*
Published: April 2012

ACADEMIC EMERGENCY MEDICINE 2012; 19: 448–454 © 2012 by the Society for Academic Emergency MedicineAbstractClinical trials investigating therapies for acutely and critically ill and injured patients in the earliest phases of treatment often can only be performed under regulations allowing for exception from informed consent (EFIC) for emergency research. Implementation of these regulations in multicenter clinical trials involves special challenges and opportunities. The Rapid Anticonvulsant Medication Prior to Arrival Trial (RAMPART), the first EFIC trial conducted by the Neurological Emergencies Treatment Trials (NETT) network, combined centralized resources and coordination with retention of local control and flexibility to facilitate compliance with the EFIC regulations. Specific methods used by the NETT included common tools for community consultation and public disclosure, sharing of experiences and knowledge, and reporting of aggregate results. Tracking of community consultation and public disclosure activities and feedback facilitates empirical research on EFIC methods in the network and supports quality improvements for future NETT trials. The NETT model used in RAMPART demonstrates how EFIC may be effectively performed in established clinical trial networks.
Contact allergy to epoxy resin: risk occupations and consequences
Authors: Bangsgaard Nannie , Thyssen Jacob Pontoppidan , Menné Torkil , Andersen Klaus Ejner , Mortz Charlotte G. , Paulsen Evy , Sommerlund Mette , Veien Niels Kren , Laurberg Grete , Kaaber Knud , Thormann Jens , Andersen Bo Lasthein , Danielsen Anne , Avnstorp Christian , Kristensen Berit , Kristensen Ove , Vissing Susanne , Nielsen Niels Henrik , Johansen Jeanne Duus 
Published: April 2012

Background. Epoxy resin monomers are strong skin sensitizers that are widely used in industrial sectors. In Denmark, the law stipulates that workers must undergo a course on safe handling of epoxy resins prior to occupational exposure, but the effectiveness of this initiative is largely unknown.Objectives. To evaluate the prevalence of contact allergy to epoxy resin monomer (diglycidyl ether of bisphenol A; MW 340) among patients with suspected contact dermatitis and relate this to occupation and work‐related consequences.Patients/methods. The dataset comprised 20 808 consecutive dermatitis patients patch tested during 2005–2009. All patients with an epoxy resin‐positive patch test were sent a questionnaire.Results. A positive patch test reaction to epoxy resin was found in 275 patients (1.3%), with a higher proportion in men (1.9%) than in women (1.0%). The prevalence of sensitization to epoxy resin remained stable over the study period. Of the patients with an epoxy resin‐positive patch test, 71% returned a questionnaire; 95 patients had worked with epoxy resin in the occupational setting, and, of these, one‐third did not use protective gloves and only 50.5% (48) had participated in an educational programme.Conclusion. The 1% prevalence of epoxy resin contact allergy is equivalent to reports from other countries. The high occurrence of epoxy resin exposure at work, and the limited use of protective measures, indicate that reinforcement of the law is required.
Pheomelanin in the skin of Hymenochirus boettgeri (Amphibia: Anura: Pipidae)
Authors: Wolnicka‐Glubisz Agnieszka , Pecio Anna , Podkowa Dagmara , Kolodziejczyk Lukasz M. , Plonka Przemyslaw M. 
Published: April 2012

AbstractPheomelanin is supposed to be the first type of melanin found in vertebrates, in contrast to the main type – eumelanin. Our study aimed at detecting pheomelanin in the skin of Hymenochirus boettgerii. We employed electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopy, and transmission electron microscopy (TEM), supplemented with standard histology and immunochemistry. We identified pheomelanin in the dorsal skin of adult frogs (not only in the dermis, but also in the epidermis) and in the dorsal tadpole. Our work identifies Hymenochirus boettgerii as a model in the basic study on the mechanism, evolution and role of melanogenesis in animals, including human.
Effects of adding food by‐products mainly including noodle waste to total mixed ration silage on fermentation quality, feed intake, digestibility, nitrogen utilization and ruminal fermentation in wethers
Authors: ISHIDA Kyohei , YANI Srita , KITAGAWA Masayuki , OISHI Kazato , HIROOKA Hiroyuki , KUMAGAI Hajime 
Published: April 2012

ABSTRACTFour wethers were used in a 4 × 4 Latin square design experiment to evaluate the applicability of two types of total mixed ration (TMR) silage with food by‐products. Four food by‐products (i.e., potato waste, soy sauce cake, soybean curd residue and noodle waste) were obtained and mixed with commercial concentrate (CC) as TMR silage. The two types of TMR silage, T1 and T2, each contained CC, in addition to all by‐products for T1 (TRE1), and soy sauce cake and noodle waste for T2 (TRE2) on a dry matter (DM) basis. The silage was well‐fermented with low pH values and high lactic acid concentration. As the experimental treatments, T1, T2 and CC (CTL) were fed with a basal diet. The result showed that the digestibility of DM and organic matter (OM) were higher for T1 than for CC (P < 0.05), while crude protein digestibility was not significantly different among T1, T2 and CC. The retained nitrogen was not affected by inclusion of food by‐products. Ruminal pH in TRE1 and TRE2 immediately decreased compared to that in CTL. The study suggested that the two types of TMR silage, including food by‐products, might be used as a substitute for commercial concentrate.
Nitrogen balance during compensatory growth when changing the levels of dietary lysine from deficiency to sufficiency in growing pigs
Authors: ISHIDA Aiko , KYOYA Takahito , NAKASHIMA Kazuki , KATSUMATA Masaya 
Published: April 2012

ABSTRACTTwo experiments were conducted to elucidate the nitrogen (N) balance of pigs exhibiting compensatory growth when changing the dietary lysine levels from deficiency to sufficiency. Experiment 1 elucidated whether pigs exhibited compensatory growth with dietary lysine sufficiency. Twenty 6‐week‐old males were assigned to one of two treatments: control and LC (lysine and control). Control pigs were fed a control diet throughout the 24‐day experimental period, whereas LC pigs were fed a low lysine diet until day 21 of the experiment, followed by the control diet until the end of experiment. The dietary lysine sufficiency treatment induced an 80% increase in the growth rate of LC pigs (P < 0.05). Experiment 2 focused on the N balance of pigs that exhibited compensatory growth with dietary lysine sufficiency. Eighteen 6‐week‐old males were assigned to one of three treatments: control, LC, and LL (low lysine). LL pigs were fed a low lysine diet throughout the 24‐day experimental period. Pigs that exhibited compensatory growth with dietary lysine sufficiency tended to retain a higher amount of N than control pigs (P = 0.10). These finding suggest that the compensatory growth induced in pigs by dietary lysine sufficiency was partly attributable to a higher level of N retention.
Der Zitronensäuregehalt des Pferdeserums1
Authors: Hirschlaff‐Lindgren Birgit 
Published: April 2012

Zusammenfassung:Die Bestimmungen der Zitronensäuregehalte des Pferdeserums sind nach der Thunberg‐Methode — jedoch mit einigen Abänderungen — gemacht worden. Vier Proben sind untersucht worden, wobei man einen Maximalwert von 56,7 ± 2,6 γ pro ccm und einen Minimalwert von 48,5 ± 2,2, im Mittel 53,2 γ erhielt. Indem ich mich einer sog. Kontrollkurve bediente, habe ich gefunden, daß mit dieser Methode durchschnittlich 90,9 ± 1,8% der Zitronensäuregehalt wiedergefunden wird.
Sauerstoffaufnahme und respiratorische Funktionen in großen Höhen1
Authors: Christensen E. Hohwü 
Published: April 2012

ZusammenfassungDer Einfluß von großen Höhen auf die O2‐Aufnahme bei körperlicher Arbeit und auf die respiratorischen Funktionen in Ruhe und bei körperlicher Arbeit wurde untersucht. Die Untersuchungen zeigen, daß bei der Arbeit auf dem Fahrradergometer für alle Vpn. die gleiche Relation zwischen Arbeitsintensität und O2‐Aufnahme in verschiedenen Höhen besteht. Der Wirkungsgrad ist also nicht von der Höhe beeinflußt. Die nicht reduzierte Lungenventilation V37 steigt in der Höhe stark an und erreicht Werte von mehr als 120 Liter pro Min. bei körperlicher Arbeit.Die reduzierte Lungenventilation V0 wurde bei gleicher O2‐Aufnahme in allen untersuchten Höhen konstant gefunden. In allen Höhen lagen die alveolaren O2‐Spannungen höher bei der Arbeit als in Ruhe. In großen Höhen ist die maximale O2‐Aufnahme durch die Lungenventilation begrenzt.Das Versuchsmaterial dieser Abhandlung entstammt: »The International High Altitude Expedition to Chile« 1935. Die Expedition wurde unterstützt vom Fatigue Laboratory und Milton Fund, Harvard; Duke University; die Universität von Kopenhagen; Carlsberg‐und Rask‐Ørsted‐Fond, Kopenhagen; King's College, Cambridge University; the Corn Industries Research Foundation; Columbia University; the National Research Council, the Royal Society, London; the Josiah Macy Foundation and the American Association for the Advancement of Science, und von zahlreichen Institutionen in Chile.
A Medium‐Controlled Fluorescence Dual‐Responsive Probe for Cu2+ and Hg2+ in Aqueous Solutions
Authors: Ma Li‐Jun , Chen Liping , Chen Guirong , Li Hong‐Wei , Yang Liting , Wu Yuqing , Wang Dan , Xie Jiewan 
Published: April 2012

AbstractIn this study, we report a histidine‐based fluorescence probe for Cu2+ and Hg2+, in which the amino group and imino group were modified by two common protective groups, 9‐fluorenylmethoxycarbonyl and trityl group, respectively. In a water/methanol mixed solution, the probe displayed a selective fluorescence “turn‐off” response to Cu2+ when the ratio of CH3OH/H2O was higher than 1:1. Specifically, when the solvent is changed to 1:1 methanol/water, the 304 nm fluorescence peak is enhanced, while the 317 nm peak is weakened, upon addition of either Cu2+ or Hg2+ ions. The mechanism for such distinct responses of the probe to Cu2+ and Hg2+ was further clarified by using NMR and molecular simulation. The experiment results indicated that the polarity of solvent could influence the coordination mode of 1 with Cu2+ and Hg2+, and control the fluorescence response as a “turn‐off” or ratiometric probe.