bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
A recursive algorithm for a summed multinomial density function
Authors: Fink Raymond K. , Moskowitz Herbert 
Published: May 2007

AbstractAn algorithm for calculating the probabilities of a summed multinomial density function which is recursive with n (the number of trials) is presented. Having application in inspector error models for auditing and quality control problems with Cartesian product structures, the algorithm is discussed in the context of computing optimal economic sampling plans. Computational experience with the algorithm is presented.
Multiple‐attribute decision making with partial information: The comparative hypervolume criterion
Authors: Charnetski Johnnie R. , Soland Richard M. 
Published: May 2007

AbstractA new approach is presented for analyzing multiple‐attribute decision problems in which the set of actions is finite and the utility function is additive. The problem can be resolved if the decision makers (or group of decision makers) specifies a set of nonnegative weights for the various attributes or criteria, but we here assume that the decision maker(s) cannot provide a numerical value for each such weight. Ordinal information about these weights is therefore obtained from the decision maker(s), and this information is translated into a set of linear constraints which restrict the values of the weights. These constraints are then used to construct a polytope W of feasible weight vectors, and the subsets Hi (polytopes) of W over which each action ai has the greatest utility are determined. With the Comparative Hypervolume Criterion we calculate for each action the ratio of the hypervolume of Hi to the hypervolume of W and suggest the choice of an action with the largest such ratio. Justification of this choice criterion is given, and a computational method for accurately approximating the hypervolume ratios is described. A simple example is provided to evaluate the efficiency of a computer code developed to implement the method.
Solution of continuous‐time markovian decision models using infinite linear programming
Authors: Kakumanu Prasadarao 
Published: May 2007

AbstractInfinite‐horizon, countable‐state, continuous‐time Markovian decision models are solved by formulating as a pair of infinite linear‐programming problems. Expected discounted and average returns are considered as criterion functions. For both criterion functions, the existence of deterministic optimal stationary policies is established by solving the associated infinite linear‐programming problems. Computational procedures for finite state and action sets are discussed by considering associated finite linear‐programming problems.
Renewal processes of phase type
Authors: Neuts Marcel F. 
Published: May 2007

AbstractThis paper discusses a class of analytically and numerically tractable renewal processes, which generalize the Poisson process. When used to describe interarrival or service times in queues, these renewal processes lead to computationally explicit solutions which involve only real arithmetic. Previous modifications of the Poisson process, based on the Erlang or the hyperexponential distributions, appear as particular cases.
An unconditionally convergent algorithm for the evaluation of the ultimate limit state of RC sections subject to axial force and biaxial bending
Authors: Alfano G. , Marmo F. , Rosati L. 
Published: May 2007

AbstractWe present a numerical procedure, based upon a tangent approach, for evaluating the ultimate limit state (ULS) of reinforced concrete (RC) sections subject to axial force and biaxial bending. The RC sections are assumed to be of arbitrary polygonal shape and degree of connection; furthermore, it is possible to keep fixed a given amount of the total load and to find the ULS associated only with the remaining part which can be increased by means of a load multiplier. The solution procedure adopts two nested iterative schemes which, in turn, update the current value of the tentative ultimate load and the associated strain parameters. In this second scheme an effective integration procedure is used for evaluating in closed form, as explicit functions of the position vectors of the vertices of the section, the domain integrals appearing in the definition of the tangent matrix and of the stress resultants. Under mild hypotheses, which are practically satisfied for all cases of engineering interest, the existence and uniqueness of the ULS load multiplier is ensured and the global convergence of the proposed solution algorithm to such value is proved. An extensive set of numerical tests, carried out for rectangular, L‐shaped and multicell sections shows the effectiveness of the proposed solution procedure. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Cholestasis is a marker for hepatocellular carcinomas displaying β‐catenin mutations
Authors: Audard V , Grimber G , Elie C , Radenen B , Audebourg A , Letourneur F , Soubrane O , Vacher‐Lavenu M‐C , Perret C , Cavard C , Terris B 
Published: May 2007

AbstractThe Wnt/β‐catenin signalling pathway is activated in many human hepatocellular carcinomas (HCC). Identification of β‐catenin mutation relies mostly on sequence analysis and/or immunohistochemistry. β‐catenin mutation may also be detected by analysing the expression of its target genes. The GLUL gene encoding glutamine synthetase (GS), for example, appears to be a pertinent marker. The aim of this study was to correlate GS immunostaining and β‐catenin mutations with clinicopathological features in HCC. We found that GS immunostaining had a sensitivity of 90% for the detection of β‐catenin mutations, with 98% specificity, whereas β‐catenin immunostaining had a sensitivity of 63% with 98% specificity. We used the sensitive GS marker to characterize 190 HCC cases. Sixty‐eight (36%) cases displayed Wnt/β‐catenin activation. In addition to their well‐differentiated pattern, these tumours exhibited significant features such as a homogeneous microtrabeculo‐acinar pattern, low‐grade cellular atypia, and cholestasis. As these tumours exhibited cholestasis, we hypothesized that β‐catenin acts on specific bile synthesis and/or transport pathways. In conclusion, we propose that GS immunostaining and a cholestatic pattern are relevant criteria for the identification of HCC with β‐catenin mutations. Copyright © 2007 Pathological Society of Great Britain and Ireland. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Investigation of water absorption in pultruded composites containing fillers and low profile additives
Authors: Ben Daly H. , Ben Brahim H. , Hfaied N. , Harchay M. , Boukhili R. 
Published: May 2007

AbstractThis work investigates the humidity absorption process in the polyester/glass fiber composite materials containing fillers and low profile additives. These composite materials were exposed to both distilled and sea water at different temperatures. The moisture diffusivity and the moisture equilibrium reached by these composites were determined using the gravimetric test method and their humidity distribution profile across the thickness direction was characterized using the microtome technique. The obtained results indicate that the distilled water diffuses in all composites much more rapidly than the sea water, particularly at high immersion temperatures. However, the opposite is observed at low immersion temperature (5°C), since at this temperature the distilled water is almost in its icy state. For high immersion temperatures, a mass loss of the aged specimen in the sea water was observed 2 months after the first immersion. Such behavior was not observed during the immersion in the distilled water. Moreover, it is observed that the water absorption is higher in the composite materials containing low profile additives. This behavior is explained in terms of microvoids formation promoted by low profile additives. The microtome technique reveals clearly that the humidity profile across the thickness of the aged specimen follows a parabolic trend with a maximum at the outside surface of that specimen and a minimum at its center. These experimental results were found to confirm the theory. POLYM. COMPOS., 28: 355–364, 2007. © 2007 Society of Plastics Engineers
Structure–property relationships in glass‐reinforced polyamide, Part 3: Effects of hydrolysis ageing on the dimensional stability and performance of short glass–fiber‐reinforced polyamide 66
Authors: Thomason J.L. 
Published: May 2007

AbstractWe present results on an in‐depth study of the effects of hydrolysis testing on the mechanical performance, weight change, and dimensional stability of injection molded glass–fiber‐reinforced polyamide 66 (PA66) based on two chopped fiber products with different sizing formulations. Composite and resin samples have been characterized both dry as molded and after conditioning at either 120 or 150°C for a range of times up to 1,000 h. The results reveal that hydrothermal ageing in water–glycol mixtures results in significant changes in the mechanical performance, weight, and dimensions of these materials. The negative effects of conditioning could be mitigated to some degree by the appropriate choice of the glass–fiber sizing; however, the sizing effect diminished with increasing conditioning time. All materials showed a weight increase due to conditioning at 120°C that was typical of a single Fickian diffusion process and there was clear evidence of multiple processes involved when conditioning at 150°C. It was not apparent that the glass–fiber sizing affected the dimensional stability of the composites. We show that there is a strong correlation between the swelling of these samples and the level of fluid adsorption. Although the PA66 resin showed reasonably homogeneous swelling, the composites exhibited different levels of swelling depending on direction. These effects were well in line with the known effects of fibers on restriction of the matrix deformation (mechanical, thermal, or moisture swelling) in the fiber direction. These differences correlate well with the average fiber orientation with respect to the various direction axes. Composite tensile strength and unnotched impact resistance appeared to scale inversely with the level of swelling of the material. POLYM. COMPOS. 28:344–354, 2007. © 2007 Society of Plastics Engineers.
Madeline 2.0 PDE: a new program for local and web-based pedigree drawing
Authors: Trager Edward H. , Khanna Ritu , Marrs Adrian , Siden Lawrence , Branham Kari E.H. , Swaroop Anand , Richards Julia E. 
Published: May 2007

AbstractSummary: The Madeline 2.0 Pedigree Drawing Engine (PDE) is a pedigree drawing program for use in linkage and family-based association studies. The program is designed to handle large and complex pedigrees with an emphasis on readability and aesthetics. For complex pedigrees, we use a hybrid algorithm in which consanguinous loops are drawn as cyclic graphs whenever possible, but we resort to acyclic graphs when matings can no longer be connected without line crossings. A similar hybrid approach is used to avoid line crossings for matings between distant descendants of different founding groups. Written in object-oriented C++ and released under the GNU General Public License (GPL), Madeline 2.0 PDE reads input files specified on the command line and generates pedigree drawings without user interaction. Pedigree output in scalable vector graphics (SVG) format can be viewed in browsers with native SVG rendering support or in vector graphics editors. We provide an easy-to-use public web service, which is experimental and still under development.Availability: http://kellogg.umich.edu/madelineContact: ed.trager@gmail.com
MODELER4SIMCOAL2: A user-friendly, extensible modeler of demography and linked loci for coalescent simulations
Authors: Antao T. , Beja-Pereira A. , Luikart G. 
Published: May 2007

AbstractSummary: MODELER4SIMCOAL2 (M4S2) is an extensible graphical tool to model linked loci and population demographies. M4S2 is easy to use, allowing for the modeling of complicated scenarios, making coalescent simulation modeling accessible to biologists with limited computer skills. The software includes an extension system allowing for new models to be created, published and downloaded from the Internet.Availability: M4S2 is available from http://popgen.eu/soft/m4s2 under a GPL license. The web site also contains guides, screen shots and tutorials.Contact: tra@fc.up.pt
Pearl Millet as a Rotation Crop for Peanut
Authors: Timper Patricia , Brenneman Timothy B. , Wilson Jeffrey P. 
Published: May 2007

In the southeastern United States, there are limited options for crops that can be grown in rotation with peanut (Arachis hypogaea). Pearl millet (Pennisetum glaucum) has potential as a grain crop, and some hybrids have shown resistance to the peanut root-knot nematode (Meloidogyne arenaria), the primary nematode pest of peanut in this region. The objective of this study was to determine whether pearl millet reduces M. arenaria when planted in rotation with peanut. The experiment was arranged as a randomized, complete-block design with six replications. The rotations were peanut following either 2 years of corn, HGM-100 pearl millet, or TifGrain 102 pearl millet. There were two staggered sequences of each rotation so that a cycle was completed in 2004 and in 2005. Pearl millet did not increase either stem rot or Rhizoctonia limb rot in peanut. In both years, root galling from M. arenaria was lower on peanut following TifGrain 102 (4.6 on a scale of 0 to 10) and corn (4.9) than following HGM-100 (7.5). Peanut yields in 2004 were low and unaffected by the preceding rotation crop; however, in 2005, yields were greater in peanut following 2 years of TifGrain 102 (2320 kg/ha) and corn (2504 kg/ha) than following HGM-100 (1821 kg/ha). The lower yields following HGM-100 were likely due to greater populations of M. arenaria that had developed on the susceptible pearl millet hybrid. Economic analyses showed greater returns above variable costs from the grain crops than from the peanut crops. We conclude that the resistant pearl millet hybrid TifGrain 102 is as effective as corn in limiting population increase of M. arenaria and in enhancing peanut yield compared to the susceptible pearl millet hybrid, HGM-100. Additional research is needed to improve the profitability of pearl millet, and nematode resistance should be an important component of crop improvement programs. Accepted for publication 20 October 2006. Published 2 February 2007.
Efficacy of Insecticides for Control of Insect Pests of Pearl Millet for Grain Production
Authors: Buntin G. David , Hanna Wayne A. , Wilson Jeffrey P. , Ni Xinzhi 
Published: May 2007

Pearl millet [Pennisetum glaucum (L.) R. Br.] is an alternative drought-tolerant grain crop for dryland summer production. Few insecticides are registered for use and insect management has not been extensively studied in pearl millet for grain production. Eleven trails were conducted during 2002-2004 in central and southern Georgia to understand the relative importance of insect pests and to evaluate the efficacy of currently registered insecticides against key pests. The main defoliator species were the fall armyworm [Spodoptera frugiperda (J.E. Smith)] and striped grassworm (Mocis latipes Guenée). Main insects feeding on grain heads were the corn earworm (Helicoverpa zea Boddie), sorghum webworm, (Nola sorghiella Riley), and stink bugs — brown stink bug (Euschistus spp.) and southern green stink bug [Nezara viridula (L.)]. All insects were effectively controlled by cypermethrin at 0.025 lb a.i./acre. The 0.015-lb a.i. rate was effective against sorghum webworm, striped grassworm, and stink bugs, but efficacy against the corn earworm was variable. Spinosad was effective against corn earworm, striped grassworm, and sorghum webworm but not against stink bugs. Azadirachtin was not effective against any insect tested. Grain yield was not significantly affected by treatments in any trial indicating that pearl millet is tolerant of insect injury. Further work will be needed to define economic thresholds for key insect pests of pearl millet for grain production. Accepted for publication 24 August 2006. Published 19 February 2007.
First North American Record of Powdery Mildew of Cleome hassleriana Caused by Leveillula taurica
Authors: Sampangi R. , Glawe D. A. , Mohan S. K. 
Published: May 2007

This report documents the first record of Leveillula taurica on a species of Cleome (spiderflower) in North America. The introduced plant pathogen Leveillula taurica (Lév.) G. Arnaud (anamorph = Oidiopsis sicula Scalia) occurs on a range of hosts in the Pacific Northwest (PNW), including onion and was identified infecting Cleome hassleriana Chod. (common name: pink queen, family: Capparaceae). Accepted for publication 29 December 2007. Published 19 February 2007.
Bile duct brushings cytology – improving sensitivity of diagnosis using the ThinPrep® technique: a review of 113 cases
Authors: Sheehan M. M. , Fraser A. , Ravindran R. , McAteer D. 
Published: May 2007

Objective:  Common bile duct (CBD) brushings have been recognized as a technique of moderate sensitivity and high specificity in identifying carcinoma of the ampulla and pancreatico‐biliary regions. This study evaluated the increase in sensitivity of this technique using the ThinPrep® technique of specimen preparation when compared with conventional cytology smears.Methods:  A total of 113 bile duct brushings were included in the study (38 conventional smears and 75 slides prepared using the ThinPrep® technique). All slides were reviewed by one cytologist. Five categories of reporting were used: inadequate, negative, atypia, suspicious and malignant.Results:  The inadequate category of reporting disappeared in the ThinPrep® group with improved specimen fixation and preparation and hence reduced artefact. Sensitivity of diagnosis of malignancy increased from 39% in conventional smears to 53% in the ThinPrep® group. Specificity, positive and negative predictive values and accuracy were 100%, 100%, 60% and 68% for conventional smears and were 100%, 100%, 60% and 72%, respectively, for ThinPrep® specimens.Conclusions:  ThinPrep® technique was associated with increased sensitivity of diagnosis, in part due to improved specimen fixation and reduced artefact. Cytology of bile duct brushings is an important diagnostic tool for sites from which it can be difficult to obtain a histology biopsy. It may therefore provide the only opportunity for tissue diagnosis of carcinoma from these sites, hence the importance of optimizing sensitivity.
Cytomorphology of hyaline‐vascular Castleman's disease: a diagnostic challenge
Authors: Mallik M. K. , Kapila K. , Das D. K. , Haji B. E. , Anim J. T. 
Published: May 2007

Objective:  Hyaline‐vascular Castleman's disease (CD) is difficult to diagnose on fine needle aspiration and may be mistaken to be a lymphoreticular malignancy because of the presence of large cells having nuclei showing atypical features. The cytomorphological findings in three histopathologically documented cases of hyaline‐vascular CD were evaluated to a set of cytomorphological criteria which could help in the identification of this condition on aspirate smears.Methods:  The Papanicolaou and Diff‐Quik stained smears from three cases of histologically documented hyaline‐vascular CD were reviewed by one author. After review the following cytomorphological criteria were suggested to be indicators of the lesion. (i) The presence of large oval to round cells having ill‐defined cytoplasmic margins and large nuclei with irregular nuclear outlines having fine or coarse chromatin giving a crumpled tissue paper appearance. (ii) A polymorphous population of lymphoid cells predominantly of small lymphocytes in the background. The smears from these three cases were then mixed with smears from four cases of reactive lymphoid hyperplasia and three cases of Hodgkin's lymphoma. These ten cases were blindly evaluated by two other cytopathologists in order to evaluate the utility of the proposed criteria in identifying CD.Results:  The cytomorphological criteria seen in the methodology section were present in all the cases. These features were helpful in distinguishing CD from reactive lymphoid hyperplasias and Hodgkin's Lymphomas in all cases except one case.Conclusion:  Although hyaline‐vascular CD is a difficult diagnostic entity on aspirate material the presence of large histiocytic cells with a crumpled tissue paper appearance of the nuclei in a background of small lymphocytes are useful indicators for suspecting this lesion. However, these findings should be analysed in larger studies to determine if they could in anyway reduce the diagnostic dilemma in cases of CD.
Induction of potent cellular immune response in mice by hepatitis C virus NS3 protein with double‐stranded RNA
Authors: Jin Bo , Wang Richard Y. , Qiu Qi , Sugauchi Fuminaka , Grandinetti Teresa , Alter Harvey J. , Shih J. Wai‐Kuo 
Published: May 2007

SummaryDouble‐stranded RNA is produced during virus replication and, together with the viral antigen, is responsible for inducing host antivirus immunity. The hepatitis C virus (HCV) non‐structural protein‐3 (NS3) has been implicated in the immune evasion of HCV, and is one of the prime targets for inducing immunity against HCV infection. Mice were immunized with recombinant NS3 protein (rNS3) and poly (I:C) emulsified in Montanide ISA 720 (M720). Cytokine production was assayed by enzyme‐linked immunospot assay, and CD4+ IFN‐γ+ T helper (Th) cells or CD8+ IFN‐γ+ cytotoxic T lymphocytes were detected by flow cytometry. Anti‐NS3 titre and immunoglobulin G2a (IgG2a) and IgG1 levels were monitored by enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay. Administration of rNS3 formulated in poly (I:C) and M720 induced anti‐NS3 titres with a predominantly IgG2a isotype comparable to those induced by rNS3 in CpG‐ODN and M720. The cytokine profiles showed that this formulation induced a Th1‐biased immune response with several‐fold more interferon‐γ (IFN‐γ)‐producing cells than interleukin‐4‐producing cells. In contrast, rNS3 in M720 induced a Th2‐biased immune response. The frequency of IFN‐γ‐producing CD4+ and CD8+ cells induced by rNS3 in poly (I:C) and M720 was significantly higher than that induced by rNS3, rNS3 in M720, or rNS3 in poly (I:C), and was comparable to that induced by rNS3 in CpG‐ODN with M720. The antigen‐specific CD8+ T‐cell immune response persisted for up to 7 months after immunization. In conclusion, poly (I:C) with rNS3 in M720 can elicit a strong and persistent Th1‐biased immune response and a cytotoxic T‐lymphocyte response through cross‐priming in mice. This study highlighted a promising formulation for inducing an efficient cellular immune response against HCV that has potential for HCV vaccine development.