bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
EVALUATION OF ISO METHOD AND VIDAS AUTOMATED SYSTEM FOR IDENTIFYING LISTERIA AND SALMONELLA IN SELECTED FOODS
Authors: OKTAY HATICE IMGE , HEPERKAN DILEK 
Published: June 2006

ABSTRACT In this study, the materials used were the dairy products cheese and butter and the baked potatoes consumed with both of these products as toppings. All samples obtained from the Istanbul market were examined for the presence of Listeria monocytogenes and Salmonella microorganisms with the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) 11290 and 6579 methods, respectively, and mini‐The Vitek Immuno Diagnostic Assay System (VIDAS).L. monocytogenes was not found in the butter and baked potato samples, while it was identified in three of the cheese samples. The Salmonella microorganism was not observed in any of the samples; however, other Enterobacteriaceae family members were isolated. An inoculation study with L. monocytogenes and Salmonella Typhi using the same samples did not find any difference in the efficiency of ISO and mini‐VIDAS methods with respect to identifying Salmonella. However, mini‐VIDAS was determined to be more efficient for identifying L. monocytogenes in samples with a low bacterial count.
RAPID RELEASE OF PLASMIDS FROM LIVE OR DEAD ESCHERICHIA COLI CELLS
Authors: FENG FAN , WANG SHULI , CHEN ZHENLANG , LIU QIUYUN 
Published: June 2006

ABSTRACT A protocol for the rapid release of plasmids from live or dead Escherichia coli cells is described. A simple 1‐min boiling can eradicate all live bacteria, and supernatant can be efficiently transformed back to another E. coli strain or to Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Plasmids can be reliably recovered from dead cells by this procedure.
Independent component analysis reveals new and biologically significant structures in micro array data
Authors: Frigyesi Attila , Veerla Srinivas , Lindgren David , Höglund Mattias 
Published: June 2006

Abstract

Background
An alternative to standard approaches to uncover biologically meaningful structures in micro array data is to treat the data as a blind source separation (BSS) problem. BSS attempts to separate a mixture of signals into their different sources and refers to the problem of recovering signals from several observed linear mixtures. In the context of micro array data, "sources" may correspond to specific cellular responses or to co-regulated genes.

Results
We applied independent component analysis (ICA) to three different microarray data sets; two tumor data sets and one time series experiment. To obtain reliable components we used iterated ICA to estimate component centrotypes. We found that many of the low ranking components indeed may show a strong biological coherence and hence be of biological significance. Generally ICA achieved a higher resolution when compared with results based on correlated expression and a larger number of gene clusters with significantly enriched for gene ontology (GO) categories. In addition, components characteristic for molecular subtypes and for tumors with specific chromosomal translocations were identified. ICA also identified more than one gene clusters significant for the same GO categories and hence disclosed a higher level of biological heterogeneity, even within coherent groups of genes.

Conclusion
Although the ICA approach primarily detects hidden variables, these surfaced as highly correlated genes in time series data and in one instance in the tumor data. This further strengthens the biological relevance of latent variables detected by ICA.
Simple sequence proteins in prokaryotic proteomes
Authors: Subramanyam Mekapati Bala , Gnanamani Muthiah , Ramachandran Srinivasan 
Published: June 2006

Abstract

Background
The structural and functional features associated with Simple Sequence Proteins (SSPs) are non-globularity, disease states, signaling and post-translational modification. SSPs are also an important source of genetic and possibly phenotypic variation. Analysis of 249 prokaryotic proteomes offers a new opportunity to examine the genomic properties of SSPs.

Results
SSPs are a minority but they grow with proteome size. This relationship is exhibited across species varying in genomic GC, mutational bias, life style, and pathogenicity. Their proportion in each proteome is strongly influenced by genomic base compositional bias. In most species simple duplications is favoured, but in a few cases such as Mycobacteria, large families of duplications occur.
Amino acid preference in SSPs exhibits a trend towards low cost of biosynthesis. In SSPs and in non-SSPs, Alanine, Glycine, Leucine, and Valine are abundant in species widely varying in genomic GC whereas Isoleucine and Lysine are rich only in organisms with low genomic GC. Arginine is abundant in SSPs of two species and in the non-SSPs of Xanthomonas oryzae. Asparagine is abundant only in SSPs of low GC species. Aspartic acid is abundant only in the non-SSPs of Halobacterium sp NRC1. The abundance of Serine in SSPs of 62 species extends over a broader range compared to that of non-SSPs. Threonine(T) is abundant only in SSPs of a couple of species. SSPs exhibit preferential association with Cell surface, Cell membrane and Transport functions and a negative association with Metabolism. Mesophiles and Thermophiles display similar ranges in the content of SSPs.

Conclusion
Although SSPs are a minority, the genomic forces of base compositional bias and duplications influence their growth and pattern in each species. The preferences and abundance of amino acids are governed by low biosynthetic cost, evolutionary age and base composition of codons. Abundance of charged amino acids Arginine and Aspartic acid is severely restricted. SSPs preferentially associate with cell surface and interface functions as opposed to metabolism, wherein proteins of high sequence complexity with globular structures are preferred. Mesophiles and Thermophiles are similar with respect to the content of SSPs. Our analysis serves to expandthe commonly held views on SSPs.
Protocol for stage 1 of the GaP study (Genetic testing acceptability for Paget's disease of bone): an interview study about genetic testing and preventive treatment: would relatives of people with Paget's disease want testing and treatment if they were available?
Authors: Langston Anne L , Johnston Marie , Robertson Clare , Campbell Marion K , Entwistle Vikki A , Marteau Theresa M , McCallum Marilyn , Ralston Stuart H 
Published: June 2006

Abstract
Background
Paget's disease of bone (PDB) is characterised by focal increases in bone turnover, affecting one or more bones throughout the skeleton. This disrupts normal bone architecture and causes pain, deformity, deafness, osteoarthritis, and fractures.
Genetic factors are recognised to play a role in PDB and it is now possible to carry out genetic tests for research. In view of this, it is timely to investigate the clinical potential for a programme of genetic testing and preventative treatment for people who have a family history of PDB, to prevent or delay the development of PDB.
Evidence from non-genetic conditions, that have effective treatments, demonstrates that patients' beliefs may affect the acceptability and uptake of treatment. Two groups of beliefs (illness and treatment representations) are likely to be influential.
Illness representations describe how people see their illness, as outlined in Leventhal's Self-Regulation Model. Treatment representations describe how people perceive potential treatment for their disease. People offered a programme of genetic testing and treatment will develop their own treatment representations based on what is offered, but the beliefs rather than the objective programme of treatment are likely to determine their willingness to participate. The Theory of Planned Behaviour is a theoretical model that predicts behaviours from people's beliefs about the consequences, social pressures and perceived control over the behaviour, including uptake of treatment.

Methods/design
This study aims to examine the acceptability of genetic testing, followed by preventative treatment, to relatives of people with PDB. We aim to interview people with Paget's disease, and their families, from the UK. Our research questions are:
1. What do individuals with Paget's diseasethink would influence the involvement of their relatives in a programme of genetic testing and preventative treatment?
2. What do relatives of Paget's disease sufferersthink would influence them in accepting an offer of a programme of genetic testing and preventative treatment?

Discussion
Our research will be informed by relevant psychological theory: primarily the Self-Regulation Model and the Theory of Planned Behaviour. The results of these interviews will inform the development of a separate questionnaire-based study to explore these research questions in greater detail.
Statistical Analysis of Nonmetallic Inclusions for the Estimation of Rolling Contact Fatigue Range and Quality Control of Bearing Steel
Authors: Girodin D , Dudragne G , Courbon J , Vincent A 
Published: June 2006

AbstractThe cleanliness of bearing steels is a critical factor that influences directly the rolling contact fatigue performance and other mechanical properties of bearings. Hence, the evaluation of nonmetallic inclusions is a very important issue for steelmakers, bearing producers, and users. The material qualification procedure includes classical inclusion rating and rolling contact fatigue tests as acceptance tests for evaluating steel suppliers and ensuring the required bearing performance. The evolution of steel cleanliness had led to an increase in fatigue life so that running time of rolling contact fatigue tests have been considerably extended, until they became too time and cost consuming for a realistic qualification. In this paper, quantitative metallographic evaluation of the inclusion cleanliness used to collect data on the size, type, and expected number of inclusions in small samples is presented. The data were analyzed using Statistics of Extreme Values (SEV) and the results were used to extrapolate in larger samples representative of actual volumes of material involved in rolling contact fatigue tests and were related to the fatigue life of bearing steels from different suppliers. This method gives useful and reliable statistical data on inclusions for evaluating the performance level under rolling contact fatigue and defines the required cleanliness characteristics for bearing steels qualification. Other information of this work is the ability of the statistical inclusion rating to serve as a substitute for rolling contact fatigue tests to forecast the performance level of bearing steels.
X-Ray Computed Microtomography Studies of Fluid Partitioning in Drainage and Imbibition Before and After Gel Placement: Disproportionate Permeability Reduction
Authors: Seright R.S. , Prodanovic Masa , Lindquist W. Brent 
Published: June 2006

Summary
X-ray computed microtomography (XMT) was used to establish why pore-filling Cr(III)-acetate-HPAM gels reduced permeability to water much more than to oil. Our results suggest that permeability to water was reduced to low values because water must flow through gel itself, whereas oil pressing on the gel in Berea sandstone or porous polyethylene forced pathways by dehydration—leading to relatively high permeability to oil. In very permeable sandpacks, data from other researchers support ripping or extrusion mechanisms for creating oil pathways.
Our XMT studies provide interesting insights into imbibition and drainage processes in water-wet and oil-wet porous media even before gel placement. Many of our observations were consistent with conventional wisdom. However, some were unexpected. Residual wetting-phase (water) saturations in Berea were surprisingly low-valued in small pores. We attribute this to surface roughness caused by clay coating on Berea's pore walls, which allowed efficient water drainage from small pores during oil injection.
Accurate, Efficient Quantification of Uncertainty for Flow in Heterogeneous Reservoirs Using the KLME Approach
Authors: Lu Zhiming , Zhang Dongxiao 
Published: June 2006

Summary
Accurate modeling of flow in oil/gas reservoirs requires a detailed description of reservoir properties such as permeability and porosity. However, such reservoirs are inherently heterogeneous and exhibit a high degree of spatial variability in medium properties. Significant spatial heterogeneity and a limited number of measurements lead to uncertainty in characterization of reservoir properties and thus to uncertainty in predicting flow in the reservoirs. As a result, the equations that govern flow in such reservoirs are treated as stochastic partial differential equations. The current industrial practice is to tackle the problem of uncertainty quantification by Monte Carlo simulations (MCS). This entails generating a large number of equally likely random realizations of the reservoir fields with parameter statistics derived from sampling, solving deterministic flow equations for each realization, and post-processing the results over all realizations to obtain sample moments of the solution. This approach has the advantages of applying to a broad range of both linear and nonlinear flow problems, but it has a number of potential drawbacks. To properly resolve high-frequency space-time fluctuations in random parameters, it is necessary to employ fine numerical grids in space-time. Therefore, the computational effort for each realization is usually large, especially for large-scale reservoirs. As a result, a detailed assessment of the uncertainty associated with flow-performance predictions is rarely performed.
In this work, we develop an accurate yet efficient approach for solving flow problems in heterogeneous reservoirs. We do so by obtaining higher-order solutions of the prediction and the associated uncertainty of reservoir flow quantities using the moment-equation approach based on Karhunen-Loéve decomposition (KLME). The KLME approach is developed on the basis of the Karhunen-Loéve (KL) decomposition, polynomial expansion, and perturbation methods. We conduct MCS and compare these results against different orders of approximations from the KLME method. The 3D computational examples demonstrate that this KLME method is computationally more efficient than both Monte Carlo simulations and the conventional moment-equation method. The KLME approach allows us to evaluate higher-order terms that are needed for highly heterogeneous reservoirs. In addition, like the Monte Carlo method, the KLME approach can be implemented with existing simulators in a straightforward manner, and they are inherently parallel. The efficiency of the KLME method makes it possible to simulate fluid flow in large-scale heterogeneous reservoirs.
On Stop-Loss Premiums for the Individual Model
Authors: Kaas R. , van Heerwaarden A. E. , Goovaerts M. J. 
Published: June 2006

AbstractIt is shown how the upper bounds for stop-loss premiums (and approximations to tail probabilities) obtained by replacing the individual model for a portfolio of risks by the collective model can be improved upon at the cost of only slightly more computer time. The method used is simply to keep a restricted number of large risks as they are instead of approximating them by a compound Poisson distribution. In a real-life example, the relative error in the stop-loss premium is shown to be reduced drastically by keeping only 10 out of 743 risks unchanged.
Produits financiers et determination de la prime glissante de traites non proportionnels
Authors: Levi Charles 
Published: June 2006

AbstractFinancial income play a big part for the calculation of the minimum premium and maximum premium of a sliding scale for non-proportional treaties. The aggregate loss for the XL is supposed to be a compound Poisson process. It is computed by Panjer's Algorithm. Some numerical results are shown for different values of the claims number and the interest rate.
On an Integral Equation for Discounted Compound – Annuity Distributions
Authors: Ramsay Colin M. 
Published: June 2006

AbstractWe consider a risk generating claims for a period of N consecutive years (after which it expires), N being an integer valued random variable. Let Xk denote the total claims generated in the kth year, k ≥ 1. The Xk's are assumed to be independent and identically distributed random variables, and are paid at the end of the year. The aggregate discounted claims generated by the risk until it expires is defined as where υ is the discount factor. An integral equation similar to that given by Panjer (1981) is developed for the pdf of SN(υ). This is accomplished by assuming that N belongs to a new class of discrete distributions called annuity distributions. The probabilities in annuity distributions satisfy the following recursion:where an is the present value of an n-year immediate annuity.
Radiation curing of diacrylate glycerolate of bisphenol‐A in the presence of an organically modified montmorillonite for the production of flame‐resistant polymer–clay composites
Authors: Spadaro Giuseppe , Dispenza Clelia , Alessi Sabina , Tartaglione Giuseppina , Camino Giovanni 
Published: June 2006

AbstractPolymerization of an acrylate derivative of bisphenol‐A by ionizing radiation in the presence of an organically modified montmorillonite was carried out in order to produce a flame‐retardant composite. The measurement of the thermal effect during irradiation indicates that radiation curing of pure resin and resin‐clay mixtures occurred in both cases. Moreover, differential scanning calorimetry and dynamic mechanical thermal analysis showed that a curing completion can be obtained by thermal curing after irradiation with a significant increase of the glass transition temperature. The morphology was investigated by X‐ray diffraction and transmission electron microscopy. These have indicated that gamma irradiation leads to the formation of a microcomposite structure after radiation curing. The flame resistant characteristics were studied by means of thermal gravimetric analysis under nitrogen and air and by cone calorimeter tests. In particular, thermal gravimetric analysis in air showed that the presence of the dispersed clay in the polymer matrix increases the oxidation temperature. This is attributed to the formation of a more stable char, due to a protective skin of clay aggregates that builds up on the surface of the volatilizing polymer matrix during thermal degradation which protects the charred polymer from reactions with oxygen. Finally, the cone calorimeter tests show a reduction of heat release of the clay‐polymer composite with respect to the neat resin. The contribution of the clay in reducing the rate of heat release is attributed to the dispersion of the filler that allows build‐up of an inorganic surface layer at a rate which is sufficient for effectively compete with the feeding of the flame with combustible pyrolysis products. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Adv Polym Techn 25: 109–120, 2006; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/adv.20063
Nicotine metabolizing genes GSTT1 and CYP1A1 in sudden infant death syndrome
Authors: Rand Casey M. , Weese‐Mayer Debra E. , Maher Brion S. , Zhou Lili , Marazita Mary L. , Berry‐Kravis Elizabeth M. 
Published: June 2006

AbstractExposure to tobacco, both to the developing fetus as well as in the postnatal period, has been identified as a key risk factor in the etiology of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). Polymorphisms in both the GSTT1 and CYP1A1 genes have been reported to impact the metabolic detoxification process for cigarette smoke and have been associated with low birth weight. Thus, expression of polymorphisms in these genes may account for the varying susceptibility to the adverse health consequences of tobacco exposure, including SIDS. We hypothesized that functional polymorphisms in GSTT1 (gene deletion) and CYP1A1 (m1, m2, and m3) might be associated with SIDS risk. DNA was prepared from 106 SIDS cases and 106 ethnicity‐ and gender‐matched controls using standard methods. Regions of interest were amplified using PCR, subjected to enzyme digestion, and analyzed on agarose gel. No association was observed between the GSTT1 gene deletion or the CYP1A1 m1, m2, and m3 polymorphisms with SIDS risk when considered independently or in combination. These results indicate that the GSTT1 gene deletion and polymorphisms of CYP1A1 are not responsible for increased SIDS risk in our dataset. However, because SIDS cases with confirmed history of nicotine exposure were limited (7/106 cases), a relationship that might be apparent in a cohort with a large subset of SIDS cases with known history of nicotine exposure cannot be ruled out. A prospective study of SIDS cases with nicotine exposure history is necessary to resolve the relationship between nicotine metabolizing genes and SIDS. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Consanguineous marriage and congenital heart defects: A case‐control study in the neonatal period
Authors: Khalid Yunis , Ghina Mumtaz , Fadi Bitar , Fadi Chamseddine , May Kassar , Joseph Rashkidi , Makhoul Ghaith , Hala Tamim 
Published: June 2006

AbstractThe independent effect of consanguinity on the prevalence of congenital heart defects (CHDs), all and specific types, was investigated in newborns admitted to nine hospitals located in Beirut, Lebanon and members of the National Collaborative Perinatal Neonatal Network (NCPNN). Cases were 173 newborns admitted to the Neonatal Intensive Care Units (NICU) of participating hospitals during the 3‐year period from January 1, 2000 to December 31, 2002 and diagnosed during their hospital stay as having one or more CHD. Cases with chromosomal abnormalities were excluded. Cases with more than one CHD were assigned one principal malformation. Controls consisted of a random sample of 865 newborns without a CHD admitted to the NICU during the same period. After controlling for confounders, first cousin consanguinity remained significantly associated with an increased risk of CHD: infants born to first cousin marriages had a 1.8 times higher risk of having a CHD diagnosed at birth compared to those born to unrelated parents (95% CI: 1.1–3.1). In particular, first‐cousin marriage was a significant risk factor for ventricular septal defect (VSD), atrial septal defect (ASD), hypoplastic left heart (HLH), and single ventricle (SV). No association was found with d‐transposition of the great arteries, coarctation, pulmonary atresia (PA), atrioventricular septal defect (AVSD), and tetralogy of Fallot (TOF). The results of this study suggest a familial factor in the multifactorial etiology of CHDs. Additional epidemiologic and family‐based genetic studies are needed to understand the complex cause of CHDs. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Signifying contortions: disavowal, the enigmatic signifier, and George W. Bush's credibility after 9/11
Authors: Wyatt Jean 
Published: June 2006

Abstract“Signifying Contortions” attempts to account for Bush's credibility by reflecting on three psychological processes that lead people to tolerate the misleading and contradictory discourse of a leader. Laplanche's theory of the way children process the “enigmatic signifiers” coming from their parents explains why an authority figure's verbal fumblings and contradictions would evoke in his followers not only tolerance, but a deep attachment to him. Through a process of disavowal, the paper argues, certain signifiers related to 9/11 – such as “World Trade Center” – have been emptied of their meaning; President Bush's words serve as a fetish that seals over the gap made by these collective disavowals. Freud said that members of a group see in their leader the embodiment of each member's ego ideal; I claim that Bush both defends and embodies not the ego ideal described by Freud, but the nation's collective ideal ego, as that is described by Lacan. The three modes of contorted signifying function to preserve the idealized self‐image of the all‐good, all‐beneficent USA, which came under attack on 9/11. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.