bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Variation in human β‐defensin genes: new insights from a multi‐population study
Authors: Mehlotra R. K. , Zimmerman P. A. , Weinberg A. , Jurevic R. J. 
Published: November 2012

SummaryHuman β‐defensin 2 (hBD‐2) and hBD‐3, encoded by DEFB4 and DEFB103A, respectively, have shown anti‐HIV activity, and both genes exhibit copy number variation (CNV). Although the role of hBD‐1, encoded by DEFB1, in HIV‐1 infection is less clear, single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in DEFB1 may influence viral loads and disease progression. We examined the distribution of DEFB1 SNPs and DEFB4/103A CNV, and the relationship between DEFB1 SNPs and DEFB4/103A CNV using samples from two HIV/AIDS cohorts from the United States (n = 150) and five diverse populations from the Coriell Cell Repositories (n = 46). We determined the frequencies of 10 SNPs in DEFB1 using a post‐PCR, oligonucleotide ligation detection reaction–fluorescent microsphere assay, and CNV in DEFB4/103A by real‐time quantitative PCR. There were noticeable differences in the frequencies of DEFB1 SNP alleles and haplotypes among various racial/ethnic groups. The DEFB4/103A copy numbers varied from 2 to 8 (median, 4), and there was a significant difference between the copy numbers of self‐identified whites and blacks in the US cohorts (Mann–Whitney U‐test P = 0.04). A significant difference was observed in the distribution of DEFB4/103A CNV among DEFB1 ‐52G/A and ‐390T/A genotypes (Kruskal–Wallis P = 0.017 and 0.026, respectively), while not in the distribution of DEFB4/103A CNV among ‐52G/A_‐44C/G_‐20G/A diplotypes. These observations provide additional insights for further investigating the complex interplay between β‐defensin genetic polymorphisms and susceptibility to, or the progression or severity of, HIV infection/disease.
Interphase‐FISH screening for eight common rearrangements in pediatric B‐cell precursor acute lymphoblastic leukemia
Authors: Hutspardol S. , Pakakasama S. , Kanta K. , Nuntakarn L. , Anurathapan U. , Sirachainan N. , Songdej D. , Sawangpanich R. , Tiyasirichokchai R. , Rerkamnuaychoke B. , Hongeng S. 
Published: November 2012

SummaryIntroductionThis is the first pilot study to screen multiple common genetic aberrations in B‐cell precursor acute lymphoblastic leukemia (BCP‐ALL).MethodsThirty‐two children with BCP‐ALL were investigated for chromosomal rearrangements using interphase fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH). Eight common translocations and rearrangements, including ETV6‐RUNX1, TCF3‐PBX1, BCR‐ABL1, ETV6, TCF3, MLL, IGH@, and PAX5, were tested for using dual‐color DNA probes.ResultsETV6‐RUNX1 was the most frequent translocation detected in 11 children (34.4%). Two patients with BCR‐ABL1 (6.3%) and one with TCF3‐PBX1 (3.1%) translocations were also observed. Using break‐apart probes, 11 children (34.4%) had a positive FISH result for ETV6, two patients for IGH@ (6.3%), one patient for MLL (3.1%), and one patient for PAX5 rearrangements (3.1%). All patients with the ETV6‐RUNX1 fusion were also identified by split signals for ETV6. Other abnormalities, including extra copies and deletion of genes, were observed within the range of 3.1–34.4%. Cytogenetics analysis showed a single case each of BCR‐ABL1 fusion, MLL, and IGH@ rearrangements (3.1% each). ETV6‐RUNX1 fusion and ETV6 split‐apart rearrangements were not visible by cytogenetics. Likewise, one each of cases with TCF3‐PBX1 fusion and with PAX5 split signal seen by FISH was not visible by cytogenetics.ConclusionBy using 8 FISH probes in conjunction cytogenetics for the detection of common aberrations, interphase FISH enhanced the detection of chromosomal rearrangements in children with BCP‐ALL.
Measuring the Integration of Immigrants: Critical notes from an Italian experience
Authors: Caselli Marco 
Published: November 2012

AbstractThis paper describes an instrument developed in Italy by the ISMU Foundation to measure the level of integration of immigrants present in the country. The instrument consists of an index based on data collected by means of a structured questionnaire. The paper first describes the technical characteristics of this instrument and the main results obtained from its first, experimental use with the administration of over 12,000 interviews in Italy. There follow some critical notes on the limits and potential of the application of synthetic indexes in the analysis of migratory processes, and particularly in study of the integration of immigrants.
EMIG 1.2: A Global Time Series of Annual Emigration Flows
Authors: Moses Jonathon W. 
Published: November 2012

AbstractEMIG1.2 is a new, open‐source emigration database, based on over 6,500 observations covering 155 countries between 1850 and 2008, which can be used in both aggregate andTSCSanalyses. Using comparisons, I show thatEMIG1.2 complements and extends alternative databases. Still, I need to solicit help from area specialists to broaden and deepen its coverage. In its aggregate form, I observe two important trends: (1) the level of emigration today is lower than it was prior to the First World War (when weighted by the number of countries or people); and (2) global emigration rates have been falling since 1994.
Fuelling flight in a parasitic wasp: which energetic substrate to use?
Authors: AMAT ISABELLE , BESNARD SEBASTIEN , FORAY VINCENT , PELOSSE PERRINE , BERNSTEIN CARLOS , DESOUHANT EMMANUEL 
Published: November 2012

1. Flight is an energy‐demanding behaviour in insects. In parasitic wasps, strategies of nutrient acquisition and allocation, resulting life‐history trade‐offs and relationships with foraging strategies and resource availability have received much attention. However, despite the ecological importance of dispersal between host and food patches, and the great impact energy diverted to flight should have on lifetime reproductive success, the eco‐physiology of flight in parasitoids is poorly understood.2. The objective of this study is to (i) identify the energetic resources used to fuel flight, and (ii) relate nutrient type and rate of utilisation to selective pressures in terms of resource availability posed by the environment.3. Using a flight mill and biochemical assays, we compared flight performance and nutrient dynamics during flight between two reproductive modes of the parasitoid Venturia canescens Gravenhorst, which is known to thrive preferentially in contrasted environments (i.e. natural vs. anthropogenic habitat), differing notably in host and food distribution.4. Biochemical analyses of different nutrient types showed that glycogen is the flight fuel used by this species, yet no significant differences in its dynamics in flight were found between the two reproductive modes.5. Results suggest that both glycogen quantity and flight performance are related to the diverging ecological conditions experienced by thelytokous and arrhenotokous strains.
Prey temporarily escape from predation in the presence of a second prey species
Authors: VAN MAANEN ROOS , MESSELINK GERBEN J. , VAN HOLSTEIN‐SAJ RENATA , SABELIS MAURICE W. , JANSSEN ARNE 
Published: November 2012

1. Indirect interactions between populations of different prey species mediated by a shared predator population are known to affect prey dynamics.2. Depending on the temporal and spatial scale, these indirect interactions may result in positive (apparent mutualism), neutral or negative effects (apparent competition) of the prey on each other's densities. Although there is ample evidence for the latter, evidence for apparent mutualism is scarce.3. The effectiveness of using one species of predator for biological control of more than one pest species depends on the occurrence of such positive or negative effects.4. We used an experimental system consisting of the two prey species Western flower thrips (Franklineilla occidentalis Pergande) and greenhouse whitefly (Trialeurodes vaporariorum Westwood) and a shared predator, the phytoseiid mite Amblyseius swirskii Athias‐Henriot. We released all three species on the same plant and studied their dynamics and distribution along rows of plants.5. We expected that the more mobile prey species (thrips) would escape temporarily in the presence of the other prey species (whitefly) by dispersing from plants with the predator. The predator was expected to disperse slower in the presence of two prey species because of the higher availability of food.6. Evidence was found for slower dispersal of predators and short‐term escape of thrips from predation when whiteflies were present, thus confirming the occurrence of short‐term apparent mutualism.7. The apparent mutualism resulted in a cascade to the first trophic level: a higher proportion of fruits was damaged by thrips in the presence of whiteflies.8. We conclude that apparent mutualism can be an important phenomenon in population dynamics, and can significantly affect biological control of pest species that share a natural enemy.
Evaluation of image analysis methods used for quantification of particle angularity
Authors: Tafesse Solomon , Robison Fernlund Joanne M. , Sun Wenjuan , Bergholm Fredrik 
Published: November 2012

AbstractAngularity is an important parameter in the characterization of particle morphology that is used to interpret the transport history of particles in sedimentary deposits. In the past, visual classification using silhouette charts was widely used to determine particle angularity, but this approach is subjective and time‐consuming. With advances in modern image analysis techniques and low‐cost software packages, it is possible to rapidly quantify particle angularity more objectively than using visual classification methods. This study re‐examines the performance of three existing image analysis methods and one new image analysis procedure, applied to six rock and sediment samples that were visually different in angularity. To facilitate comparison between the angularity results, measurements were reduced to rankings for each aggregate sample. These results show that the four image analysis methods rank the angularity of the samples differently, and that none rank the mean angularity index in the same order as the angularity ranking using visual classification. Therefore, further research is needed to develop an image analysis method that can quantify the angularity of sedimentary particles more precisely.
Die Zinslast des Bundes in der Schuldenkrise: Wie lukrativ ist der „sichere Hafen“?
Authors: Boysen-Hogrefe Jens 
Published: November 2012

Abstract In the aftermath of the Great Recession and during the debt crisis in the euro area yields on German federal bonds have been exceptionally low. This analysis tries to calculate the profits that the federal government makes due to these low yields. The interest payments that are due to emissions of bonds and bills made between 2009 and 2012 are approximated and compared to several benchmark scenarios. Compared to the mean yields of the years 1999-2008 profits of the federal government are quite high (68 billion euros). Application of yield curve models show that most of these profits are due to the macroeconomic conditions in the euro area and to low central bank rates. To a much smaller extend these profits are due to flight into safety, which, however, has become more relevant recently.
Wissenschaftliches Fehlverhalten – ein Problem in der deutschen Volkswirtschaftslehre?
Authors: Necker Sarah 
Published: November 2012

AbstractSystematic evidence on scientific misbehavior in economics is limited; so far no study explicitly deals with the attitudes and behavior of German economists. In this paper, results of a survey among the members of the Vereins für Socialpolitik conducted in autumn 2010 are reported. According to the results, serious misbehavior like the fabrication of data or pure plagiarism is rare. German economists reject such behavior unanimously, only a handful of respondents admit it. A problem rather consists in the low reporting of observed misbehavior. Some forms of questionable research practices are also of concern. For example, strategic behavior in the publication process is wide-spread, although the majority of the German economists find it unacceptable.
Föderalismus und Entwicklungsländer: Ist Dezentralisierung ein geeignetes Instrument der Entwicklungspolitik?
Authors: Leßmann Christian , Markwardt Gunther 
Published: November 2012

AbstractThis paper analyzes decentralization as an instrument of development policy. The positive experience of high developed countries with federal government structures has shifted the focus of international development organizations to decentralization. In particular, decentralization should promote economic prosperity and reduce corruption. This paper argues, however, that the particular institutional framework of developing countries should be taken into account. This study demonstrates that fiscal decentralization tends to harm the effectiveness of foreign aid, whereas forms of political decentralization are less problematic. Moreover, decentralization can increase corruption in less liberal countries. In light of these findings, national and international development agencies should carefully consider potential negative consequences from decentralization.
Virtual Histology Analysis of Carotid Atherosclerotic Plaque: Plaque Composition at the Minimum Lumen Site and of the Entire Carotid Plaque
Authors: Tsurumi Arihito , Tsurumi Yuko , Hososhima Osamu , Matsubara Noriaki , Izumi Takashi , Miyachi Shigeru 
Published: November 2012

ABSTRACTBACKGROUNDVirtual Histology intravascular ultrasound (VH IVUS) volumetric analysis (analysis of the entire plaque responsible for stenosis) has been used for carotid plaque diagnosis. Knowing the carotid plaque characteristics by analyzing the plaque composition only at the minimum lumen site will facilitate plaque diagnosis using VH IVUS.PURPOSETo detect the relationship between the VH IVUS volumetric analysis of the entire plaque responsible for carotid artery stenosis and the VH IVUS cross‐section plaque analysis at the minimum lumen site.METHODSForty‐eight atherosclerotic cervical carotid stenoses in 45 consecutive patients were included in the study. VH IVUS was obtained during the carotid artery stenting procedure.RESULTSSimple regression analysis revealed that the volumetric proportion of each plaque type correlated significantly with the corresponding plaque‐type area at the minimum lumen site. The adjusted coefficients of determination of the simple regression analyses were .782 (P < .001) for fibrous tissue, .741 (P < .001) for fibrofatty tissue, .864 (P < .001) for dense calcium, and .918 (P < .001) for necrotic core.CONCLUSIONThe plaque composition at the minimum lumen site represents the volumetric composition of the entire carotid plaque that causes atherosclerotic cervical carotid artery stenosis.
Cholestatic pruritus: a retrospective analysis on clinical characteristics and treatment response
Authors: Huesmann Mario , Huesmann Timo , Osada Nani , Phan Ngoc Quan , Kremer Andreas E. , Ständer Sonja 
Published: November 2012

SummaryBackground: Chronic cholestatic pruritus (ChP) is caused by various hepatobiliary disorders. This retrospective study describes the distribution of underlying diseases, clinical characteristics and treatment efficacy in a consecutive collective of patients with ChP.Patients and methods: Extensive data from 60 patients with ChP (30 women, 30 men; mean age: 58.0 ± 17.0 years) were retrospectively statistically analyzed concerning demographic data, pruritus characteristics, and response to therapy.Results: In this study population, 40.0% of the patients suffered from hepatitis B or C. Regarding the overall population, pruritus started in 50% of patients after diagnosis of the underlying hepatobiliary disorder. Only in patients with immune‐mediated liver diseases did pruritus more often occur before diagnosis (p < 0.05). Only 23.3% of the patients reported an initial palmoplantar pruritus. Along with other drugs, anticonvulsants proved to be an effective treatment regime.Conclusions: In this study, viral pathogenesis was the most common cause of ChP. Other underlying diseases were represented to a lower extent in the total study population. Overall, the collected clinical parameters in each group were comparable. Thus, it was difficult to draw conclusions on the pathogenesis.
Competition, exogenous disturbances and senescence shape tree size distribution in tropical forest: evidence from tree mode of death in Central Amazonia
Authors: de Toledo José J. , Magnusson William E. , Castilho Carolina V. 
Published: November 2012

AbstractQuestionsWhat processes shape the size–density distribution of tropical trees? Are these processes affected by topographic position?LocationReserva Ducke, Central Amazonia, Manaus, Brazil.MethodsWe identified tree mode of death in a 5‐yr census interval (2003–2008) in 72 1‐ha permanent plots distributed over 64 km2, and calculated the proportion of standing and fallen modes of deaths across size classes and by topographic position. Lowess regression was used to identify the dominance of standing or fallen modes across tree sizes. We used this information to separate the size–density distribution of trees into two parts hypothetically shaped by different processes. We fitted several models and tested the metabolic theory's prediction that size–density distribution scales with stem diameter to the ‐2 power.ResultsMost dead trees <22 cm DBH and ≥48 cm DBH died standing, while trees between 22 and 48 cm DBH uprooted or snapped. Mode of death varied among topographic positions. On plateaux, standing death predominated across all tree size classes, while on slopes standing death dominated for small trees (<14 cm DBH), while fallen deaths dominated for intermediate to large trees (14 ≤ DBH <46 cm). In valleys, fallen modes of death dominated across all size classes. Scaling and negative exponential functions with a quadratic term fitted better the size–density distribution of all trees. The scaling function fitted better the distribution of small to intermediate‐sized trees while the negative exponential function and functions with a quadratic term showed the best fit to distribution of intermediate to large trees.ConclusionsCompetition is the major source of mortality for small‐ to intermediate‐sized trees, while exogenous disturbances and senescence predominate for intermediate to large trees. Modes of death, and presumed sources of mortality, change according to topographic position, but the shape of size–density distributions is not affected, demonstrating that unknown mechanisms with different processes not assumed in the metabolic theory can produce similar distributions for tropical trees. Understanding the mechanisms that determine tropical forest structure will allow us to predict forest dynamics under future climate change scenarios.
Utilization of fast qPCR techniques to detect the amphibian chytrid fungus: a cheaper and more efficient alternative method
Authors: Kerby Jacob L. , Schieffer Alicia , Brown Jennifer R. , Whitfield Steven 
Published: November 2012

Summary
A pathogen of great significance to amphibian populations is the chytrid fungus, Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis (Bd). It has been demonstrated as causing recent epizootics in wild populations and is also widely found in captive animals. It is listed as a notifiable disease within the pet, bait and food trade because of its risk of introduction into wild populations. Due to this status, there has been much emphasis on reliably identifying and quantifying the pathogens in amphibians. Quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) has served as the recent standard for identifying this pathogen's presence. Newer technologies have greatly improved these reactions enabling researchers to use smaller volumes and run the reactions in less time. These ‘fast’ qPCR chemistries are gaining popularity because the reduced volumes required to run the reactions can save funding resources and reduce the time to data acquisition.
In this study, we compare the results from differing reaction methodologies using the same DNA extracts from pathogens collected from wild sampled amphibians. In addition to comparing the standard methodology and fast methodology for both pathogens, we also conducted a reduced volume methodology using the standard TaqMan chemistry for Bd. Estimated pathogen loads from 114 field swab samples were compared among methodologies.
We found that for Bd, all three methodologies produced similar results for prevalence (presence/absence) estimates. In terms of estimating pathogen loads in the samples, both the standard and fast methodologies produced comparable estimates but the reduced volume methodology exhibited significantly lower values.
Therefore, it appears that the fast methodology is adequate for use with Bd, and potentially several other wildlife pathogens, in estimating both prevalence and quantity, but the reduced volume methodology is inadequate and not recommended for use in quantifying samples.
Locomotory abilities and habitat of the Cretaceous bird Gansus yumenensis inferred from limb length proportions
Authors: Nudds R. L. , Atterholt J. , Wang X. , You H.‐L. , Dyke G. J. 
Published: November 2012

AbstractThe relative length proportions of the three bony elements of the pelvic (femur, tibiotarsus and tarsometatarsus) and pectoral (humerus, ulna and manus) limbs of the early Cretaceous bird Gansus yumenensis, a well‐represented basal ornithuromorph from China, are investigated and compared to those of extant taxa. Ternary plots show that the pectoral limb length proportions of Gansus are most similar to Apodiformes (swifts and hummingbirds), which plot away from all other extant birds. In contrast, the pelvic limb length proportions of Gansus fall within the extant bird cluster and show similarities with the neornithine families Podicipedidae (grebes), Diomedeidae (albatross) and Phalacrocoracidae (cormorants). Although it does have some of the pelvic limb features of grebes and cormorants, the femur of Gansus is more gracile and is thus more consistent with an albatross‐like shallow‐diving mode of life than a strong foot‐propelled diving movement pattern. The position of Gansus in pectoral limb ternary morphospace is largely due to its elongated manus. In contrast to apodiformes, where the humerus and ulna are short and robust, an adaptation, which provides a stiff wing for their demanding fast agile and hovering flight (respectively), the wing‐bones of Gansus are slender, indicating a less vigorous flapping flight style. The suite of characters exhibited by Gansus mean it is difficult to completely interpret its likely ecology. Nevertheless, our analyses suggest that it is probable that this bird was both volant and capable of diving to some degree using either foot‐propelled or, perhaps, both its wings and its feet for underwater locomotion.