Transition Data (transition + data)

Distribution by Scientific Domains


Selected Abstracts


Estimating Transition Probabilities from Aggregate Samples Plus Partial Transition Data

BIOMETRICS, Issue 3 2000
D. L. Hawkins
Summary. Longitudinal studies often collect only aggregate data, which allows only inefficient transition probability estimates. Barring enormous aggregate samples, improving the efficiency of transition probability estimates seems to be impossible without additional partial-transition data. This paper discusses several sampling plans that collect data of both types, as well as a methodology that combines them into efficient estimates of transition probabilities. The method handles both fixed and time-dependent categorical covariates and requires no assumptions (e.g., time homogeneity, Markov) about the population evolution. [source]


Freeze-dry microscopy of protein/sugar mixtures: Drying behavior, interpretation of collapse temperatures and a comparison to corresponding glass transition Data

JOURNAL OF PHARMACEUTICAL SCIENCES, Issue 9 2009
Eva Meister
Abstract The purpose of this study is to investigate the change in collapse appearance and temperature of protein/sugar mixtures as a function of nucleation temperature (Tn), sublimation velocity (Vsub) and the sugar/protein mole ratio when performing freeze-dry microscopy experiments. BSA and HSA were used as sample proteins and mixed with either sucrose or trehalose. Differential scanning calorimetry was used to determine the corresponding glass transition temperatures . To allow a more representative comparison between these analytical methods, a collapse midpoint temperature (Tc-50) was introduced. While there was no distinct correlation between Tn and the onset of collapse (Toc) for either mixture, Vsub was found to correlate with the measured collapse temperature which is important for comparability of experiments. Furthermore, Vsub could be used to qualitatively investigate the product resistance to water vapor flow. A dramatic change in the appearance of collapse was found for high sugar/protein mole ratios (,362:1) which needs to be considered to avoid a misinterpretation of Toc data. At low protein concentrations midpoint data showed good agreement with Toc values but were found significantly lower at higher protein concentrations. Application of the Gordon,Taylor equation failed to predict the critical temperature for any of the protein/sugar mixtures studied. © 2008 Wiley-Liss, Inc. and the American Pharmacists Association J Pharm Sci 98:3072,3087, 2009 [source]


The elusive intermediate on the folding pathway of the prion protein

FEBS JOURNAL, Issue 6 2008
David C. Jenkins
A key molecular event in prion diseases is the conversion of the cellular conformation of the prion protein (PrPC) to an altered disease-associated form, generally denoted as scrapie isoform (PrPSc). The molecular details of this conformational transition are not fully understood, but it has been suggested that an intermediate on the folding pathway of PrPC may be recruited to form PrPSc. In order to investigate the folding pathway of PrP we designed and expressed two mutants, each possessing a single strategically located tryptophan residue. The secondary structure and folding properties of the mutants were examined. Using conventional analyses of folding transition data determined by fluorescence and CD, and novel phase-diagram analyses, we present compelling evidence for the presence of an intermediate species on the folding pathway of PrP. The potential role of this intermediate in prion conversion is discussed. [source]


Biophysical characterization of the interaction of high-density lipoprotein (HDL) with endotoxins

FEBS JOURNAL, Issue 23 2002
Klaus Brandenburg
The interaction of bacterial endotoxins [lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and the ,endotoxic principle' lipid A], with high-density lipoprotein (HDL) from serum was investigated with a variety of physical techniques and biological assays. HDL exhibited an increase in the gel to liquid crystalline phase transition temperature Tc and a rigidification of the acyl chains of the endotoxins as measured by Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy and differential scanning calorimetry. The functional groups of the endotoxins interacting with HDL are the phosphates and the diglucosamine backbone. The finding of phosphates as target groups is in accordance to measurements of the electrophoretic mobility showing that the zeta potential decreases from ,50 to ,60 mV to ,20 mV at binding saturation. The importance of the sugar backbone as further target structure is in accordance with the remaining negative potential and competition experiments with polymyxin B (PMB) and phase transition data of the system PMB/dephosphorylated LPS. Furthermore, endotoxin binding to HDL influences the secondary structure of the latter manifesting in a change from a mixed ,-helical/,-sheet structure to a predominantly ,-helical structure. The aggregate structure of the lipid A moiety of the endotoxins as determined by small-angle X-ray scattering shows a change of a unilamellar/inverted cubic into a multilamellar structure in the presence of HDL. Fluorescence resonance energy transfer data indicate an intercalation of pure HDL, and of [LPS],[HDL] complexes into phospholipid liposomes. Furthermore, HDL may enhance the lipopolysaccharide-binding protein-induced intercalation of LPS into phospholipid liposomes. Parallel to these observations, the LPS-induced cytokine production of human mononuclear cells and the reactivity in the Limulus test are strongly reduced by the addition of HDL. These data allow to develop a model of the [endotoxin]/[HDL] interaction. [source]


Sectoral Transformation, Turbulence and Labor Market Dynamics in Germany

GERMAN ECONOMIC REVIEW, Issue 1 2010
Ronald Bachmann
Gross worker flows; sectoral and occupational mobility; turbulence Abstract. This paper analyzes the interaction between structural change and labor market dynamics in West Germany, during a period when industrial employment declined by more than 30% and service sector employment more than doubled. Using transition data on individual workers, we document a marked increase in structural change and turbulence, in particular since 1990. Net employment changes resulted partly from an increase in gross flows, but also from an increase in the net transition ,yield' at any given gross worker turnover. In growing sectors, net structural change was driven by accessions from non-participation rather than unemployment; contracting sectors reduced their net employment primarily via lower accessions from non-participation. German reunification and Eastern enlargement appear to have contributed significantly to this accelerated pace of structural change. [source]


Spanning the flow regimes: Generic fluidized-bed reactor model

AICHE JOURNAL, Issue 7 2003
I. A. Abba
Probabilistic averaging is used to model fluidized-bed reactors across the three fluidlization flow regimes most commonly encountered in industry (bubbling, turbulent, and fast fluidization), extending earlier work, which introduced this approach to bridge the bubbling and turbulent regimes of fluidization. In extending this concept to the fast fluidization regime, the probabilities of being in each of the three regimes are represented as probability density functions derived from regime boundary transition data. The three regime-specific models,a generalized version of a two-phase bubbling bed model at low gas velocities, a dispersed flow model for turbulent beds at intermediate velocities, and a generalized version of a core-annulus model at higher velocities,are employed, leading to improved predictions compared with any of the individual models, while avoiding discontinuities at the regime boundaries. Predictions from the new integrated model are in good agreement with available ozone decomposition data over the full range of applicability covered elsewhere. [source]


Cellulose Acetate- graft -Poly(hydroxyalkanoate)s: Synthesis and Dependence of the Thermal Properties on Copolymer Composition

MACROMOLECULAR CHEMISTRY AND PHYSICS, Issue 14 2004
Yoshikuni Teramoto
Abstract Summary: Several different series of cellulose acetate- graft -poly(hydroxyalkanoate)s (CA- g -PHAs) were synthesized over a wide range of compositions by the graft copolymerization of lactic acid, L -lactide, (R,S)- , -butyrolactone, , -valerolactone and , -caprolactone onto the residual hydroxyl positions of CA, by virtue of a suitable catalyst, solvent and procedure for each individual case. To achieve a diversity of molecular architectures of the respective graft copolymer series, the degree of acetyl substitution (acetyl DS) of the CA starting material was also varied, resulting in different levels of the intramolecular density of grafts. The CA- g -PHAs thus obtained were subjected to differential scanning calorimetric measurements and the relationship between their molecular structure and thermal transition behavior was estimated, in comparison with some semi-empirical equations available for polymer blends or comb-like polymers. In particular, the composition dependence of the Tgs of the graft copolymers was represented well in terms of a formula proposed by Reimschuessel for comb-like polymers, when CAs of acetyl DS ,2 were employed as a trunk polymer. The deviation of the glass transition data from the model function was discussed in connection with the manner of graft modification. [source]