bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Computation of profile likelihood‐based confidence intervals for reference limits with covariates
Authors: Virtanen A. , Uusipaikka E. 
Published: August 2007

AbstractMany biochemical quantities depend on age or some other covariate. Reference limits that allow for these dependencies help physicians to interpret the results of biochemical tests. Because reference limits must be estimated, it is important to assess their precision with, for example, confidence intervals. This paper relies on the assumption that data can be modeled by a generalized linear model and presents a method for calculating approximate profile likelihood‐based confidence intervals for reference limits. The calculation of confidence intervals is based on a new method that draws on profile likelihood‐based confidence intervals in general statistical models. The asset of this new method is that only two constrained optimization problems have to be solved instead of several in the standard method. We motivate our confidence interval calculation method with two applications. The first is for data on immunoglobulin concentration in the context of a generalized linear model with gamma distribution. This model is compared with the often used lognormal model. The second application handles data on serum alpha‐fetoprotein and is presented in a linear regression situation. In the latter application the widths of the calculated profile confidence intervals are compared with exact and approximate regression‐based intervals and the actual confidence levels are determined by simulation. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Tests of non‐null hypothesis on proportions for stratified data
Authors: Zhao G. 
Published: August 2007

AbstractIt is more reasonable to interpret the efficacy of therapies under non‐null hypothesis, hence tests of non‐null hypothesis have been carried out. Most clinical trials adopt multi‐center campaign and yield stratified data. However, the existing non‐null hypothesis tests are not suitable for stratified data. This paper proposes the tests of non‐null hypothesis on proportions for stratified data. Averaging the treatment‐control difference in each stratum yields the mean treatment‐control difference. Comparing its expectation with the minimal detectable difference leads to set up a non‐null hypothesis. Its variance is used to construct the equation of the basic relationship for stratified designs under the non‐null hypothesis. Then follow the derivations for the one‐ and two‐sample tests. Their performance is demonstrated by the Monte Carlo method. As far as the two‐sample tests are concerned, they reduce to the Cochran test and the Mantel–Haenszel test, on setting the minimal detectable difference equal to zero, and to the Dunnett–Gent test when there is only one stratum. As for the one‐sample test, it also reduces to its classical counterparts in these situations. The observed power coincides with the prescribed power and the relevant operating characteristic curves. The tests can be applied to the active control clinical trials with multi‐center or stratified designs for establishing the clinical superiority or non‐inferiority of a tested drug versus control. Worked examples illustrate the methodology. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Tragverhalten von bewitterten Verbund‐Sicherheitsglas‐Scheiben
Authors: Ensslen Frank 
Published: August 2007

AbstractNeben bekannten Einflüssen auf das Schubtragverhalten von Verbund‐Sicherheitsglas (VSG) wie Folientemperatur, Belastungshöhe und ‐dauer existieren weitere Faktoren aus klimatischer Belastung: z. B. langzeitliche UV‐Strahlung, Feuchte und Lufttemperatur. Diese sind besonders bei Außenanwendungen von Bedeutung. Experimentelle Untersuchungen zeigten, dass eine Durchfeuchtung der Polyvinylbutyral‐Folie (PVB‐Folie) an den Glaskanten einen negativen Einfluss für die Beständigkeit von VSG darstellt. Hierdurch ergibt sich eine Beeinträchtigung der Schubsteifigkeit wie auch des Haftverbundes. Bei großformatigem Architektur‐VSG, welches durch Wind, Schnee und Eigengewicht belastet wird, sind keine bedeutsamen Konsequenzen für die Tragsicherheit zu erwarten, wenn sich die Veränderungen auf den Randbereich beschränken. Um optische Beeinträchtigungen bei der Exposition von VSG in extrem feuchter Umgebung (z. B. Regen) zu vermeiden, wird empfohlen, die Kanten sorgfältig und nachhaltig zu versiegeln. Eine Alterung der Folie durch UV‐Strahlung und hohe Lufttemperaturen hängt von ihrer Dauer und Intensität ab, führt hingegen zu einer Versteifung (Versprödung) der Materialeigenschaften, nicht aber zu einer Beeinträchtigung der Tragsicherheit.
Optimum strength distribution for seismic design of tall buildings
Authors: Moghaddam H. , Hajirasouliha I. 
Published: August 2007

AbstractThis paper examines the effects of strength distribution pattern on seismic response of tall buildings. It is shown that in general for an MDOF structure there exists a specific pattern for height‐wise distribution of strength and stiffness that results in a better seismic performance in comparison with all other feasible patterns. This paper presents a new optimization technique for optimum seismic design of structures. In this approach, the structural properties are modified so that inefficient material is gradually shifted from strong to weak areas of a structure. This process is continued until a state of uniform deformation is achieved. It is shown that the seismic performance of such a structure is optimal, and behaves generally better than those designed by conventional methods. The optimization algorithm is then conducted on shear building models with various dynamic characteristics subjected to a group of severe earthquakes. Based on the results, a new load pattern is proposed for seismic design of tall buildings that is a function of fundamental period of the structure and the target ductility demand. The optimization method presented in this paper could be useful in the conceptual design phase and in improving basic understanding of seismic behavior of tall buildings. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Unifying theories in ProofPower-Z
Authors: Oliveira Marcel , Cavalcanti Ana , Woodcock Jim 
Published: August 2007

Abstract

The increasing interest in the combination of different computational paradigms is well represented by Hoare and He in the
Unifying Theories of Programming
(UTP). In this paper, we present a mechanisation of part of that work in a theorem prover, ProofPower-Z; the theories of alphabetised relations, designs, reactive and CSP processes are in the scope of this paper. Furthermore, the mechanisation of
Circus
, a language that combines Z, CSP, specification statements and Dijkstra’s guarded command language, is also presented here. We also present an account of how this mechanisation is achieved, and more interestingly, of what issues were raised, and of our decisions. We aim at providing tool support not only for CSP and
Circus
, but also for further explorations of Hoare and He’s unification, and for the mechanisation of languages whose semantics is based on the UTP.
Career Research Interests and Training of Genetic Counseling Students
Authors: Bedard Angela C. , Huether Carl A. , Shooner Kerry , Buncher C. Ralph , Warren Nancy Steinberg 
Published: August 2007

AbstractResearch is important to validate clinical services, provide information on the effectiveness of practice techniques, and develop the knowledge base of a clinical profession. Genetic counseling students from American Board of Genetic Counseling (ABGC) accredited training programs were surveyed to determine their career research interests and interest in pursuing a hypothetical doctoral degree in genetic counseling. Genetic counseling program directors were surveyed to assess the emphasis on research training within their programs. A substantial number (46%, n = 92) of genetic counseling students are interested in performing research in their careers and many (40%, n = 80) would pursue a doctoral degree in genetic counseling if it was available. Students and directors from programs with a thesis requirement reported a significantly higher emphasis on career research preparation than those from programs without a thesis requirement. The results of this study indicate that future genetic counselors are interested in contributing to the research base that will advance the field. This study suggests a need to strengthen research training within ABGC accredited graduate programs and explore the development of a doctoral degree option in genetic counseling.
Relation between diacylglycerol acyltransferase activity and oil concentration in soybean
Authors: Settlage Sharon B. , Kwanyuen Prachuab , Wilson Richard F. 
Published: August 2007

AbstractDiacylglycerol acyltransferase (EC 2.3.1.20; DGAT) catalyzes synthesis of triacylglycerol from acyl‐CoA and diacylglycerol. Activity of this enzyme and developmental changes in oil accumulation were estimated at various stages of seed growth in soybean germplasm with phenotypic differences in oil content. Oil deposition in seed of these genotypes followed a sigmoid pattern that was modeled to predict incremental rates of oil accumulation during seed development. A strong positive correlation was found between the estimated peak rate of oil deposition (near the mid‐term of seed development) and oil concentration in mature seed. At saturating substrate levels, DGAT activity measured near the peak rate of oil deposition also was correlated positively with oil phenotype. In the latter stages of seed development, a positive correlation between estimates of enzyme activity at or below the apparent Km for diolein and comparable oil accumulation rates was attributed to reduced synthesis of substrates and/or potential change in affinity for substrate as suggested by an increase in apparent Km for diolein in older seed. These data indicated that DGAT activity may be a rate‐limiting step in triacylglycerol synthesis. However, it is difficult to accept the idea of a single rate‐limiting step at the end of a complex metabolic pathway. Because oil is a quantitatively inherited trait, several genes determine genotypic differences in oil content among soybeans. Hence, DGAT activity may be an indicator of coordinated genetic expression of gene‐products in the entire glycerolipid synthetic pathway for a given genotype. In any case, results of this investigation demonstrated that genotypic differences in DGAT activity contributed to expression of genetic variation in oil content among soybean gemplasm.
Quantitative structure‐liquid chromatographic retention time relationships on natural phenols found in olive oil
Authors: Hueso‐Ureña Francisco , Jiménez‐Pulido Sonia B. , Moreno‐Carretero Miguel N. , Rodríguez‐Avi José 
Published: August 2007

AbstractA study of the relationship between the liquid chromatographic retention times for a group of 16 natural phenols on olive oil and an initial set of 62 molecular descriptors has been made. The descriptors used may be arranged into three well‐defined kinds: conventional, topological, and quantum‐chemical parameters. By using multivariate regression, three empirical functions were obtained, which were selected on the basis of their respective statistical parameters. The first model relates the retention index with the quantum‐chemical descriptors; the second, with both topological and conventional descriptors; and finally, the third model has been established by considering the relation of the experimental magnitude with the two above‐mentioned sets of parameters together. The correlation coefficients of the empirical functions were 0.9825, 0.9911, and 0.9974, with mean relative errors of 6.8, 4.6, and 2.6%, respectively.
Triacylglycerols and regiospecific fatty acid analyses of philippine seed oils
Authors: Pham Laura J. , Casa Edmar P. , Gregorio Myla A. , Kwon Dae Young 
Published: August 2007

AbstractThree Philippine seed oils, namely coconut (Cocos nucifera Linn.), pilinut (Canarium ovatum Engl.), and cashew (Anacardium occidentale Linn.), which were selected for their local abundance and availability, were examined for their triacylglycerol profiles and fatty acid compositions. Triacylglycerol molecular species in terms of carbon number and partition number were determined by gas chromatography and liquid chromatography, respectively. The distribution of fatty acids in the primary and secondary positions of the glycerol backbones for the three oils were examined by regiospecific analysis by using pancreatic lipase. Coconut oil had high concentrations of lauric and myristic acids, while the other two oils did not have such fatty acids. Lauric acid in coconut oil and linoleic acid in pilinut oil were distributed mainly in the primary positions (sn‐1,3) of the glycerol backbone. Trilaurin and dioleylpalmitoylglycerol were the major triglycerides in coconut and pilinut oils, respectively.
Triacylglycerol composition of Pinus koraiensis seed oil
Authors: Imbs A. B. , Nevshupova N. V. , Pham L. Q. 
Published: August 2007

AbstractThe triacylglycerol (TG) composition of Pinus koraiensis seed oil, which contains Δ5 nonmethylene‐interrupted (NMI) fatty acids (FA) (the main acid is pinolenic, 18:3 Δ5, 9, 12), was determined. TG were preliminarily separated by argentation thin‐layer chromatography (TLC), and the obtained fractions were analyzed by high‐temperature gas chromatography (GC) on a capillary column with methyl phenyl silicone phase. Additionally, high‐performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) of TG was applied. The FA composition of all TG fractions was identified. The identification of TG was carried out by combining TLC, GC, HPLC, and calculated equivalent carbon numbers of TG standards. The TG species identification was confirmed by comparison of the theoretical recalculated and directly analyzed FA compositions of all TLC fractions of TG. Species of TG with unsaturation degrees of 1 to 7 and trace amounts of saturated and octaenoic TG species were found. Except for minor compounds, 26 TG molecular species of 32 main components were quantitatively determined. The main species were oleoyl dilinoleoylglycerol (14.7%), dilinoleoyl pinolenoylglycerol (10.7%), palmitoyl oleoyl linoleoylglycerol (8.3%), triolein (7.6%), and dioleoyl, linoleoylglycerol (7.4%). Seven TG species contained Δ5 NMI acyl groups. Of these, the major were dilinoleoyl pinolenoyglycerol (10.7%), stearoyl linoleoyl pinolenoylglycerol (6.5%) dioleoyl, pinolenoylglycerol (5.4%), and palmitoyl linoleoyl pinolenoyl‐glycerol (5.5%). TG species with two or three NMI acyl groups were not detected.
Rheology of lecithin dispersions
Authors: Bhattacharya Suvendu , Shylaja M. H. , Manjunath M. S. , Sankar Udaya 
Published: August 2007

AbstractDispersions of lecithin (1–25% solids, dry basis) in soybean oil or water were subjected to rheological measurement in a coaxial‐cylinder viscometer. The different rheological characteristics determined included yield stress, flow behavior index, consistency index, and apparent viscosity. Pseudoplastic behavior was observed for all lecithin emulsions in oil and for dispersions in water. The flow behavior indices for lecithin‐oil emulsions (0.855–0.875) were higher than for lecithin‐water dispersions (0.472–0.584). Yield stresses were observed only for lecithin‐water dispersions. An increase in the concentration of lecithin in oil or water increased yield stress, consistency index, and apparent viscosity. The apparent viscosities of the lecithin‐oil emulsions were higher than those for corresponding lecithin‐water dispersions. The power law model can adequately fit (r≥0.988, p≤0.01) the shear‐rate vs. shear‐stress data for lecithin‐oil emulsions, whereas the Herschel‐Bulkley model was suitable (r≥0.988, p≤0.01) for lecithin‐water dispersions.
Genetik des Schlaganfalls
Authors: Gschwendtner A. , Dichgans M. 
Published: August 2007

Zusammenfassung
Schlaganfälle umfassen ischämische Hirninfarkte, intrazerebrale Blutungen und Subarachnoidalblutungen. Monogene Erkrankungen sind zwar nur für einen geringen Teil der Schlaganfälle verantwortlich, bei jüngeren Patienten sind sie allerdings eine wichtige Differenzialdiagnose. Bei den sporadischen Fällen spielen genetische Einflüsse neben konventionellen Risikofaktoren eine in zunehmendem Maß als bedeutsam erkannte Rolle. Der Beitrag liefert eine Übersicht über die wichtigsten monogenen Schlaganfallursachen und neuere Entwicklungen bei der Identifizierung von Risikogenen für den sporadischen Schlaganfall.
Iraqi adolescents: Self‐regard, self‐derogation, and perceived threat in war
Authors: Carlton‐Ford Steve , Ender Morten G. , Tabatabai Ahoo 
Published: August 2007

ABSTRACTA year into the 2003 US–Iraq war, how were adolescents in Baghdad faring? Conflict‐related events typically lower psychological well‐being; in contrast, investment in and protection of threatened identities should lead to self‐esteem striving and, presumably, better well‐being. How threatened do Iraqi adolescents feel? Is their self‐esteem related to their sense of threat? Do age, religion, ethnicity, and gender alter the link between perceived threat and self‐esteem?We use data from 1000 randomly selected adolescents living in Baghdad during July 2004. Iraqi adolescents reported high levels of threat; those feeling more threatened reported higher levels of self‐esteem. Social background correlates with both self‐esteem and perceived threat, but controlling for social background does not eliminate the relationship between self‐esteem and perceived threat. We interpret our results in light of theory and research concerning social identity, mortality threats, and war trauma.
Age‐related changes in BDNF protein levels in human serum: differences between autism cases and normal controls
Authors: Katoh‐Semba Ritsuko , Wakako Rie , Komori Taku , Shigemi Hiroko , Miyazaki Noriko , Ito Hironori , Kumagai Toshiyuki , Tsuzuki Masako , Shigemi Kenji , Yoshida Futoshi , Nakayama Atsuo 
Published: August 2007

AbstractAccumulating evidence suggests the possible association between the concentrations of serum brain‐derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and psychiatric disease with impaired brain development. Yet the reasons remain unclear. We therefore investigated the characteristics of serum BDNF as well as its age‐related changes in healthy controls in comparison to autism cases. BDNF was gradually released from platelets at 4 °C, reached a maximal concentration after around 24 h, and remained stable until 42 h. At room temperature, BDNF was found to be immediately degraded. Circadian changes, but not seasonal changes, were found in serum levels of BDNF existing as the mature form with a molecular mass of 14 kDa. In healthy controls, the serum BDNF concentration increased over the first several years, then slightly decreased after reaching the adult level. There were no sex differences between males and females. In the autism cases, mean levels were significantly lower in children 0–9 years old compared to teenagers or adults, or to age‐matched healthy controls, indicating a delayed BDNF increase with development. In a separate study of adult rats, a circadian change in serum BDNF was found to be similar to that in the cortex, indicating a possible association with cortical functions.
Linked and pleiotropic QTLs influencing carcass composition traits detected on porcine chromosome 7
Authors: GILBERT HÉLÈNE , LE ROY PASCALE , MILAN DENIS , BIDANEL JEAN-PIERRE 
Published: August 2007

SummaryA multivariate QTL detection was carried out on fatness and carcass composition traits on porcine chromosome 7 (SSC7). Single-trait QTLs have already been detected in the SLA region, and multivariate approaches have been used to exploit the correlations between the traits to obtain more information on their pattern: almost 500 measurements were recorded for backfat thickness (BFT1, BFT2), backfat weight (BFW) and leaf fat weight (LFW) but only about half that number for intramuscular fat content (IMF), affecting the detection. First, groups of traits were selected using a backward selection procedure: traits were selected based on their contribution to the linear combination of traits discriminating the putative QTL haplotypes. Three groups of traits could be distinguished based on successive discriminant analyses: external fat (BFT1, BFT2), internal fat (LFW, IMF) and BFW. At least four regions were distinguished, preferentially affecting one or the other group, with the SLA region always influencing all the traits. Meishan alleles decreased all trait values except IMF, confirming an opportunity for marker-assisted selection to improve meat quality with maintenance of carcass composition based on Meishan alleles.
Phenotypic effects induced by knock-down of theperiodclock gene inBombyx mori
Authors: SANDRELLI FEDERICA , CAPPELLOZZA SILVIA , BENNA CLARA , SAVIANE ALESSIO , MASTELLA ANTONIO , MAZZOTTA GABRIELLA M. , MOREAU STEPHANE , PEGORARO MIRKO , PICCIN ALBERTO , ZORDAN MAURO A. , CAPPELLOZZA LUCIANO , KYRIACOU CHARALAMBOS P. , COSTA RODOLFO 
Published: August 2007

SummaryThe lepidopteranBombyx moriis an insect of considerable scientific and economic importance. Recently, theB. moricircadian clock geneperiodhas been molecularly characterized. We have transformed aB. moristrain with a construct encoding aperioddouble-strand RNA in order to knock-downperiodgene expression. We observe that this post-transcriptional silencing produces a small but detectable disruption in the egg-hatching rhythm, as well as a reduction in egg-to-adult developmental time, without altering silk production parameters. Thus we show that both circadian and non-circadian phenotypes can be altered by changingperexpression, and, at a practical level, these results suggest thatperknock-down may provide a suitable strategy for improving the efficiency of rearing, without affecting silk productivity.
Quantitative and molecular genetic variation in sympatric populations ofMedicago laciniataandM. truncatula(Fabaceae): relationships with eco-geographical factors
Authors: BADRI MOUNAWER , ILAHI HOUCINE , HUGUET THIERRY , AOUANI MOHAMED ELARBI 
Published: August 2007

SummaryMedicago laciniatais restricted to south of the Mediterranean basin and it extends in Tunisia from the inferior semi-arid to Saharan stages, whereasM. truncatulais a widespread species in such areas. The genetic variability in four Tunisian sympatric populations ofM. laciniataandM. truncatulawas analysed using 19 quantitative traits and 20 microsatellites. We investigated the amplification transferability of 52 microsatellites developed inM. truncatulatoM. laciniata. Results indicate that about 78·85% of used markers are valuable genetic markers forM. laciniata.M. laciniatadisplayed significantly lower quantitative differentiation among populations (QST=0·12) than didM. truncatula(QST=0·45). However, high molecular differentiations, with no significant difference, were observed inM. laciniata(FST=0·48) andM. truncatula(FST=0·47). Several quantitative traits exhibited significantly smallerQSTthanFSTforM. laciniata, consistent with constraining selection. ForM. truncatula, the majority of traits displayed no statistical difference in the level ofQSTandFST. Furthermore, these traits are significantly associated with eco-geographical factors, consistent with selection for local adaptation rather than genetic drift. In both species, there was no significant correlation between genetic variation at quantitative traits and molecular markers. The site-of-origin explains about 5·85% and 11·27% of total quantitative genetic variability among populations ofM. laciniataandM. truncatula, respectively. Established correlations between quantitative traits and eco-geographical factors were generally more moderate forM. laciniatathan forM. truncatula, suggesting that the two species exhibit different genetic bases of local adaptation to varying environmental conditions. Nevertheless, no consistent patterns of associations were found between gene diversity (He) and environmental factors in either species.