Robust and accurate inference for generalized linear models

In the framework of generalized linear models, the nonrobustness of classical estimators and tests for the parameters is a well known problem, and alternative methods have been proposed in the literature. These methods are robust and can cope with deviations from the assumed distribution. However, they are based on first order asymptotic theory, and their accuracy in moderate to small samples is still an open question. In this paper, we propose a test statistic which combines robustness and good accuracy for moderate to small sample sizes. We combine results from Cantoni and Ronchetti [E. Cantoni, E. Ronchetti, Robust inference for generalized linear models, Journal of the American Statistical Association 96 (2001) 1022–1030] and Robinson, Ronchetti and Young [J. Robinson, E. Ronchetti, G.A. Young, Saddlepoint approximations and tests based on multivariate M-estimators, The Annals of Statistics 31 (2003) 1154–1169] to obtain a robust test statistic for hypothesis testing and variable selection, which is asymptotically χ²-distributed as the three classical tests but with a relative error of order O(n⁻¹). This leads to reliable inference in the presence of small deviations from the assumed model distribution, and to accurate testing and variable selection, even in moderate to small samples.     

Solution properties of ultrahigh molecular weight polymers. VII. Conformational characteristics of poly(butyl methacrylate)

The paper is concerned with light scattering studies on solutions of ultrahigh molecular weight poly(butyl methacrylate). The dependence of the radius of gyration and of the second virial coefficient on the weight-average molecular weight of the polymers was established in methyl ethyl ketone, dimethylformamide, and CCl₄. Short-range and long-range interactions were discussed in terms of the steric factor σ, of the interaction parameter B, and of the interpenetration function ψ(z).     

Development and validation of a gas chromatography/mass spectrometry method for the assessment of genomic DNA methylation

A method for the determination of DNA global methylation, taken as the ratio (%) of 5‐methylcytosine (5mCyt) versus the sum of cytosine (Cyt) and 5mCyt, via gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS), was developed and validated. DNA (2.5 µg) was hydrolyzed with aqueous formic acid 88%, spiked with cytosine‐2,4‐¹³C₂,¹⁵N₃ and 5‐methyl‐²H₃‐cytosine‐6‐²H₁ as internal standards, and derivatized with N‐methyl‐N‐(tert‐butyldimethylsilyl)trifluoroacetamide and 1% tert‐butyldimethylchlorosilane, in the presence of acetonitrile and pyridine. GC/MS, operating in single ion monitoring mode, separated and specifically detected all nucleobases as tert‐butyldimethylsilyl derivatives, without interferences, with the exception of guanosine. The method was linear throughout the range of clinical interest and had good sensitivity, with a limit of quantification of 3.2 pmol for Cyt and 0.056 pmol for 5mCyt, the latter corresponding to a methylation level of 0.41%. Intra‐ and inter‐day precision and accuracy were below 4.0% for both analytes and methylation. The matrix absolute effect, process efficiency and coefficient of variation ranged from 96.5 to 101.2%. The matrix relative effect was below 1%. The method was applied to the analysis of different human DNAs, including: nonmethylated DNA from PCR (methylation 0.00%), hypermethylated DNA prepared using M.SssI CpG methyltransferase (methylation 18.05%), DNA from peripheral blood leukocytes of healthy subjects (N = 6, median methylation 5.45%), DNA from bone marrow of leukemia patients (N = 5, 3.58%) and DNA from myeloma cell lines (N = 4, 2.74%). Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Metal-free oxidative self-coupling of aldehydes or alcohols to symmetric carboxylic anhydrides

A metal-free synthesis of symmetrical anhydrides has been developed starting from aldehydes, both aliphatic and aromatic or primary benzylic alcohols. The reaction occurs at room temperature and makes use of trichloroisocyanuric acid (TCCA) as an oxidant providing the desired carboxylic anhydrides in satisfactory yields.     

X-ray absorption spectroscopies: useful tools to understand metallorganic frameworks structure and reactivity

The large unit cells, the enormous flexibility and variation in structural motifs of MOFs represent a big challenge in the characterization of MOF materials, particularly in cases where single crystal diffraction data are not available. In this critical review it is shown that in cases where only powder diffraction data are available additional structural information, particularly regarding local coordination within the inorganic cluster, are often mandatory in order to solve the structure. There are also cases where the inorganic cluster does not follow the symmetry of the overall structure. In such cases diffraction techniques will just "see" an average structure, missing the local structure: a lack that may be critical for understanding the specific properties of the material. In both cases, EXAFS spectroscopy is the tool that provides complementary structural information on the inorganic cluster and the way it binds to the ligand. Selected examples will show how EXAFS will be relevant in: (i) confirming the structure obtained from diffraction refinements; (ii) highlighting that the inorganic cornerstone has a lower symmetry with respect to that of the organic framework; (iii) obtaining the local structure of the inorganic cluster in the desolvated material when desolvation causes a partial loss of long range order; (iv) obtaining the local structure of the inorganic cluster in the desolvated material after coordination of a probe (or reactant) molecule, including cluster deformation upon molecule coordination and metal-molecule binding distance; (v) evidencing the presence of impurities in the form of amorphous extra-phases (339 references).     

Targeting Bacterial Membranes: NMR Spectroscopy Characterization of Substrate Recognition and Binding Requirements of D‐Arabinose‐5‐Phosphate Isomerase

Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) is an essential component of the outer membrane of Gram‐negative bacteria and consists of three elements: lipid A, the core oligosaccharide, and the O‐antigen. The inner‐core region is highly conserved and contains at least one residue of 3‐deoxy‐D ‐manno‐octulosonate (Kdo). Arabinose‐5‐phosphate isomerase (API) is an aldo–keto isomerase catalyzing the reversible isomerization of D ‐ribulose‐5‐phosphate (Ru5P) to D ‐arabinose‐5‐phosphate (A5P), the first step of Kdo biosynthesis. By exploiting saturation transfer difference (STD) NMR spectroscopy, the structural requirements necessary for API substrate recognition and binding were identified, with the aim of designing new API inhibitors. In addition, simple experimental conditions for the STD experiments to perform a fast, robust, and efficient screening of small libraries of potential API inhibitors, allowing the identification of new potential leads, were set up. Due to the essential role of API enzymes in LPS biosynthesis and Gram‐negative bacteria survival, by exploiting these data, a new generation of potent antibacterial drugs could be developed.