We explore various estimators for the parameters of a pair-copula construction (PCC), among those the stepwise semiparametric (SSP) estimator, designed for this dependence structure. We present its asymptotic properties, as well as the estimation algorithm for the two most common types of PCCs. Compared to the considered alternatives, i.e. maximum likelihood, inference functions for margins and...

The subset sum problem (SSP) can be briefly stated as: given a target integer E and a set A containing n positive integer aj , find a subset of A summing to E. The density d of an SSP instance is defined by the ratio of n to m, where m is the logarithm of the largest integer within A. Based on the structural and statistical properties of subset sums, we present an improved enumeration scheme fo...

Transcriptional status of two intra-genomic ITS variants (Type-I and Type-II) identified in Vigna unguiculata ssp. tenuis (NI 1637) was analysed by RT-PCR. Total RNA was isolated from leaves, stem and roots of 15-day old seedlings and was reverse transcribed using specific primers for amplifying ITS-1 and ITS-2. Gel electrophoresis on a high-resolution agarose revealed that only Type-II variant...

BACKGROUND Platelet transfusion therapy poses many challenges in veterinary clinical practice. Lack of readily available blood donors, short shelf-life, and inability to administer a sufficient number of platelets to meet a dog's transfusion need are the major difficulties encountered. Platelet additive solutions are already in use at American and European human blood banks, showing to be a rea...

Plant genomes encode numerous small secretory peptides (SSPs) whose functions have yet to be explored. Based on structural features that characterize SSP families known to take part in postembryonic development, this comparative genome analysis resulted in the identification of genes coding for oligopeptides potentially involved in cell-to-cell communication. Because genome annotation based on ...

Colonization of oral tissues by Streptococcus sanguis may be influenced by a mucin-like salivary glycoprotein (SAG) through a calcium-dependent interaction with a specific bacterial receptor. We report the nucleotide and deduced amino acid sequence of the S. sanguis receptor (SSP-5) and show that this protein may bind sialic acid residues of SAG. The SSP-5 protein contains three unique structur...

OBJECTIVES Alzheimer's disease (AD) is diagnosed by either inspection of the brain perfusion SPECT, or three-dimensional stereotactic surface display (3D-SSP). The purpose was to compare diagnostic performances of these methods. METHODS Sixteen nuclear medicine physicians independently interpreted 99mTc-ECD SPECT in one session and SPECT with 3D-SSP in another session without clinical informa...

PURPOSE Pulmonary surfactant (PS) replacement has been the gold standard therapy for neonatal respiratory distress syndrome; however, almost all commercial PSs contain animal proteins. We prepared a synthetic PS by using a human surfactant protein (SP) analog and evaluated its in vitro properties. MATERIALS AND METHODS A peptide sequence (CPVHLKRLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL) of human SP-C was chosen to d...