bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Kick-Starting the Ratchet: The Fate of Mutators in an Asexual Population
Authors: Söderberg R Jonas , Berg Otto G 
Published: February 2011

AbstractMuller's ratchet operates in asexual populations without intergenomic recombination. In this case, deleterious mutations will accumulate and population fitness will decline over time, possibly endangering the survival of the species. Mutator mutations, i.e., mutations that lead to an increased mutation rate, will play a special role for the behavior of the ratchet. First, they are part of the ratchet and can come to dominance through accumulation in the ratchet. Second, the fitness-loss rate of the ratchet is very sensitive to changes in the mutation rate and even a modest increase can easily set the ratchet in motion. In this article we simulate the interplay between fitness loss from Muller's ratchet and the evolution of the mutation rate from the fixation of mutator mutations. As long as the mutation rate is increased in sufficiently small steps, an accelerating ratchet and eventual extinction are inevitable. If this can be countered by antimutators, i.e., mutations that reduce the mutation rate, an equilibrium can be established for the mutation rate at some level that may allow survival. However, the presence of the ratchet amplifies fluctuations in the mutation rate and, even at equilibrium, these fluctuations can lead to dangerous bursts in the ratchet. We investigate the timescales of these processes and discuss the results with reference to the genome degradation of the aphid endosymbiont Buchnera aphidicola.
Genetic Analysis Implicates the Set3/Hos2 Histone Deacetylase in the Deposition and Remodeling of Nucleosomes Containing H2A.Z
Authors: Hang Mingda , Smith M Mitchell 
Published: February 2011

Abstract
Histone variants and histone modification complexes act to regulate the functions of chromatin. In Saccharomyces cerevisiae the histone variant H2A.Z is encoded by HTZ1. Htz1 is dispensable for viability in budding yeast, but htz1Δ is synthetic sick or lethal with the null alleles of about 200 nonessential genes. One of the strongest of these interactions is with the deletion of SET3, which encodes a subunit of the Set3/Hos2 histone deacetylase complex. Little is known about the functions of Set3, and interpreting these genetic interactions remains a highly challenging task. Here we report the results of a forward genetic screen to identify bypass suppressors of the synthetic slow-growth phenotype of htz1Δ set3Δ. Among the identified loss-of-function suppressors are genes encoding subunits of the HDA1 deacetylase complex, the SWR1 complex, the H2B deubiquitination module of SAGA, the proteasome, Set1, and Sir3. This constellation of suppressor genes is uncommon among the global set of htz1Δ synthetic interactions. BDF1, AHC1, RMR1, and CYC8 were identified as high-copy suppressors. We also identified interactions with SLX5 and SLX8, encoding the sumoylation-targeted ubiquitin ligase complex. In the context of htz1Δ set3Δ, suppressors in the SWR1 and the H2B deubiquitination complexes show strong functional similarity, as do suppressors in the silencing genes and the proteasome. Surprisingly, while both htz1Δ set3Δ and swr1Δ set3Δ have severe slow-growth phenotypes, the htz1Δ swr1Δ set3Δ triple mutant grows relatively well. We propose that Set3 has previously unrecognized functions in the dynamic deposition and remodeling of nucleosomes containing H2A.Z.
Lack of Association Between 25(OH)D Levels and Incident Type 2 Diabetes in Older Women
Authors: Robinson Jennifer G. , Manson JoAnn E. , Larson Joseph , Liu Simin , Song Yiqing , Howard Barbara V. , Phillips Lawrence , Shikany James M. , Allison Matthew , Curb J. David , Johnson Karen C. , Watts Nelson 
Published: February 2011

OBJECTIVE
To examine whether lower serum levels of serum 25-hydroxyvitamin (OH) D [25(OH)D] are associated with increased risk of developing type 2 diabetes.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS
A post hoc analysis of three nested case-control studies of fractures, colon cancer, and breast cancer that measured serum 25(OH)D levels in women participating in the Women’s Health Initiative (WHI) Clinical Trials and Observational Study who were free of prevalent diabetes at baseline. Diabetes was defined as self-report of physician diagnosis or receiving insulin or oral hypoglycemic medication. We used inverse probability weighting to make the study population representative of the WHI population as a whole. Weighted logistic regression models compared 25(OH)D levels (divided into quartiles, clinical cut points [&lt;50, 50–&lt;75, ≥75 nmol/L], or as a continuous variable) using the distribution of control subjects and adjusted for multiple confounding factors.

RESULTS
Of 5,140 women (mean age 66 years) followed for an average of 7.3 years, 317 (6.2%) developed diabetes. Regardless of the cut points used or as a continuous variable, 25(OH)D levels were not associated with diabetes incidence in either age or fully adjusted models. Nor was any relationship found between 25(OH)D and incident diabetes when evaluated by strata of BMI, race/ethnicity, or randomization status in the Calcium Vitamin D trial.

CONCLUSIONS
Lower serum 25(OH)D levels were not associated with increased risk of developing type 2 diabetes in this racially and ethnically diverse population of postmenopausal women.
Self-Monitoring of Blood Glucose: The Use of the First or the Second Drop of Blood
Authors: Hortensius Johanna , Slingerland Robbert J. , Kleefstra Nanne , Logtenberg Susan J.J. , Groenier Klaas H. , Houweling Sebastiaan T. , Bilo Henk J.G. 
Published: February 2011

OBJECTIVEThere is no general agreement regarding the use of the first or second drop of blood for glucose monitoring. This study investigated whether capillary glucose concentrations, as measured in the first and second drops of blood, differed ≥10% compared with a control glucose concentration in different situations.RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODSCapillary glucose concentrations were measured in two consecutive drops of blood in the following circumstances in 123 patients with diabetes: without washing hands, after exposing the hands to fruit, after washing the fruit-exposed hands, and during application of different amounts of external pressure around the finger. The results were compared with control measurements.RESULTSNot washing hands led to a difference in glucose concentration of ≥10% in the first and in the second drops of blood in 11% and 4% of the participants, respectively. In fruit-exposed fingers, these differences were found in 88% and 11% of the participants, respectively. Different external pressures led to ≥10% differences in glucose concentrations in 5–13% of the participants.CONCLUSIONSWe recommend washing the hands with soap and water, drying them, and using the first drop of blood for self-monitoring of blood glucose. If washing hands is not possible, and they are not visibly soiled or exposed to a sugar-containing product, it is acceptable to use the second drop of blood after wiping away the first drop. External pressure may lead to unreliable readings.
Dietary Salt Intake and Mortality in Patients With Type 2 Diabetes
Authors: Ekinci Elif I. , Clarke Sophie , Thomas Merlin C. , Moran John L. , Cheong Karey , MacIsaac Richard J. , Jerums George 
Published: February 2011

OBJECTIVE
Many guidelines recommend that patients with type 2 diabetes should aim to reduce their intake of salt. However, the precise relationship between dietary salt intake and mortality in patients with type 2 diabetes has not been previously explored.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS
Six hundred and thirty-eight patients attending a single diabetes clinic were followed in a prospective cohort study. Baseline sodium excretion was estimated from 24-h urinary collections (24hUNa). The predictors of all-cause and cardiovascular mortality were determined by Cox regression and competing risk modeling, respectively.

RESULTS
The mean baseline 24hUNa was 184 ± 73 mmol/24 h, which remained consistent throughout the follow-up (intraindividual coefficient of variation [CV] 23 ± 11%). Over a median of 9.9 years, there were 175 deaths, 75 (43%) of which were secondary to cardiovascular events. All-cause mortality was inversely associated with 24hUNa, after adjusting for other baseline risk factors (P &lt; 0.001). For every 100 mmol rise in 24hUNa, all-cause mortality was 28% lower (95% CI 6–45%, P = 0.02). After adjusting for the competing risk of noncardiovascular death and other predictors, 24hUNa was also significantly associated with cardiovascular mortality (sub-hazard ratio 0.65 [95% CI 0.44–0.95]; P = 0.03).

CONCLUSIONS
In patients with type 2 diabetes, lower 24-h urinary sodium excretion was paradoxically associated with increased all-cause and cardiovascular mortality. Interventional studies are necessary to determine if dietary salt has a causative role in determining adverse outcomes in patients with type 2 diabetes and the appropriateness of guidelines advocating salt restriction in this setting.
Impaired Endothelial Function in Preadolescent Children With Type 1 Diabetes
Authors: Babar Ghufran S. , Zidan Hanaa , Widlansky Michael E. , Das Emon , Hoffmann Raymond G. , Daoud Marwan , Alemzadeh Ramin 
Published: February 2011

OBJECTIVE
We evaluated the prevalence of endothelial dysfunction as measured by flow-mediated dilatation (FMD) of the brachial artery and carotid intima-media thickness (c-IMT) in relationship to vascular inflammatory biomarkers in preadolescent children with type 1 diabetes.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS
We studied 21 type 1 diabetic children (aged 8.3 ± 0.3 years with diabetes duration of 4.3 ± 0.4 years) and 15 group-matched healthy siblings (aged 7.6 ± 0.3 years). Fasting plasma glucose (FPG), lipid profile, HbA1c, high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), fibrinogen, homocysteine, and erythrocyte (red blood cell [RBC]) folate were evaluated in all subjects. Each subject underwent c-IMT and brachial artery FMD percentage (FMD%) measurements using high-resolution vascular ultrasound.

RESULTS
Type 1 diabetic children had higher FPG (173.4 ± 7.9 mg/dL vs. 81.40 ± 1.7 mg/dL; P &lt; 0.0001), HbA1c (8.0 ± 0.2% vs. 5.0 ± 0.1%; P &lt; 0.0001), and hs-CRP (1.8 ± 0.3 vs. 0.70 ± 0.2; P = 0.017) than control children without significant differences in BMI, homocysteine, and fibrinogen levels; RBC folate content; and c-IMT between the groups. Children with type 1 diabetes had lower FMD% than control children (7.1 ± 0.8% vs. 9.8 ± 1.1%; P = 0.04), whereas c-IMT did not differ between groups.

CONCLUSIONS
Preadolescent children with type 1 diabetes and mean diabetes duration of 4 years displayed evidence of low-intensity vascular inflammation and attenuated FMD measurements. These data suggest that endothelial dysfunction and systemic inflammation, known harbingers of future cardiovascular risk, are present even in preadolescent children.
Organization of matter into one-dimensional units on designed media
Authors: Paul Karen 
Published: February 2011

Abstract
The organization of magnetic materials into one-dimensional micro- and nanowires on designed media is discussed, exemplified by two experiments on the microscale and nanoscale, with regard to particles as basic building blocks for the growth and development of matter.
In the first organizational experiments, cobalt (Co) micro-particles are assembled on patterned media with perpendicular magnetization by acoustic vibrations onto designed shapes reflecting macroscopically the parent material. In the second experiments, semiconductor Germanium-Dysprosium (Ge98Dy2) matter is assembled on gold (Au) catalytic nuclei in a tube reactor by physical vapor transport as clusters of nanowires.
The underlying mechanisms of organization are described, and similarities and distinctive features in the processes are discussed. The role of the energy-input in the form of mechanical vibrations and heat is outlined with its similar impact on the assembly and growth of matter on surfaces. The description of these experiments in view of organization allows more control over the processes of planned arrangement on designed media. Routes for further progress in this direction are briefly outlined.
Polar nanoregions in Pb(Mg1/3Nb2/3)O3 (PMN): insights from a supercell approach
Authors: Klotins Eriks , Popov Anatoli , Pankratov Vladimir , Shirmane Liana , Engers Davis 
Published: February 2011

Abstract
We report construction of a model of polar nanoregions in the PMN relaxor ferroelectric based on first-principles lattice dynamics for chemically ordered supercells [S.A. Prosandeev et al., Phys. Rev. B 70, 134110 (2004)], combined with invariance under permutations and dipole-dipole interaction as a source supporting randomly oriented residual polarization. Representative analytical estimates of polar nanore-gion — supercell mapping reproduce both nonzero local and zero macroscopic polarization of the structure, as well as the temperature change of the supercell anisotropy at cooling and field cooling.
Biodegradation kinetics of 2,4-D by bacterial strains isolated from soil
Authors: Cycoń Mariusz , Żmijowska Agnieszka , Piotrowska-Seget Zofia 
Published: February 2011

Abstract
The aim of the study was to characterize the 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D) degradative potential of three bacterial strains identified by MIDI-FAME profiling as Burkholderia cepacia (DS-1), Pseudomonas sp. (DS-2) and Sphingomonas paucimobilis (DS-3) isolated from soil with herbicide treatment history. All strains were capable of using herbicide as the only source of carbon and energy when grown in mineral salt medium (MSM) containing 2,4-D (50 mg/l). Over a 10 day incubation period, 69%, 73% and 54% of the initial dose of 2,4-D were degraded by strains DS-1, DS-2 and DS-3, respectively. Analysis of 2,4-dichlorophenol (2,4-DCP) concentration, the main metabolite of 2,4-D degradation, revealed that strains DS-1 and DS-2 may also have the potential to metabolize this compound. The percentage of 2,4-DCP removal was 67% and 77% in relation to maximum values of 9.5 and 9.2 mg/l determined after 4 and 2 days for MSM+DS-1 and MSM+DS-2, respectively. The degradation kinetics of 2,4-D (50 mg/kg) in sterile soil (SS) showed different potential of tested strains to degrade 2,4-D. The times within which the initial 2,4-D concentration was reduced by 50% (DT50) were 6.3, 5.0 and 9.4 days for SS+DS-1, SS+DS-2 and SS+DS-3, respectively.
Computer analysis of gallbladder ultrasonic images towards recognition of pathological lesions
Authors: Ogiela M. , Bodzioch S. 
Published: February 2011

AbstractThis paper presents a new approach to gallbladder ultrasonic image processing and analysis towards automatic detection and interpretation of disease symptoms on processed US images. First, in this paper, there is presented a new heuristic method of filtering gallbladder contours from images. A major stage in this filtration is to segment and section off areas occupied by the said organ. This paper provides for an inventive algorithm for the holistic extraction of gallbladder image contours, based on rank filtration, as well as on the analysis of line profile sections on tested organs. The second part concerns detecting the most important lesion symptoms of the gallbladder. Automating a process of diagnosis always comes down to developing algorithms used to analyze the object of such diagnosis and verify the occurrence of symptoms related to given affection. The methodology of computer analysis of US gallbladder images presented here is clearly utilitarian in nature and after standardising can be used as a technique for supporting the diagnostics of selected gallbladder disorders using the images of this organ.
Numerical elimination methods of ITO cell contribution to dielectric spectra of ferroelectric liquid crystals
Authors: Perkowski P. 
Published: February 2011

AbstractIndium tin oxide (ITO) electrodes are widely used for liquid crystal applications as well as for measuring cells. Unfortunately, ITO layer possesses its own non zero resistivity R which produces (with the capacity C) the cut-off frequency f0 of RC circuit. Dielectric spectroscopy cannot be performed for high frequencies because of high frequency losses caused by the cell behaviour. Four procedures for estimating and extracting high frequency losses in ITO cells are presented and compared in this paper. Their limitations and viability are discussed.
Estimating age of carnivores from the Pantanal region of Brazil
Authors: Olifiers Natalie , de Cassia Bianchi Rita , D'Andrea Paulo Sérgio , Mourão Guilherme , Gompper Matthew E. 
Published: February 2011

AbstractConservation and management of animal populations often require knowledge about the age structure, but this information is usually difficult to discern. We propose a method to estimate the age of carnivores based on dental condition and body size measurements, and we apply the method to populations of brown‐nosed coatis Nasua nasua and crab‐eating foxes Cerdocyon thous in the Brazilian Pantanal. We sexed, weighed and measured 31 coatis and 45 foxes of known‐age, and characterized and quantified their pattern of dental eruption and wear for the construction of a teeth condition index. Scores of the first factors of a principal component analysis including data on six body size measurements and the teeth condition index of the individuals were then used in a discriminant analysis to generate functions that can be used for estimating age of animals of unknown age. Models were validated using subsets of individuals of known age through a 3‐fold cross validation process. The first functions accounted for over 90% of the discriminatory power for both species. Whereas in coatis, the first function was mainly explained by the body size measurements, in crab‐eating foxes it was represented mainly by the teeth condition index. During model validation, individuals were on average classified with 88 and 80% average confidence for coatis and foxes, respectively. Our method is as accurate as other methods that are commonly applied to assess age, but less subjective. While it requires animal capturing, it is less invasive than methods requiring tissue removal such as analyses of teeth cementum annuli. The method we outlined can be used for age estimation of other populations, as long as the models are validated with a subset of animals from the region studied. It could also be useful as a model for estimating age of other carnivore species.
Home ranges and space use of muskrats Ondatra zibethicus in restricted linear habitats
Authors: Ahlers Adam A. , Heske Edward J. , Schooley Robert L. , Mitchell Mark A. 
Published: February 2011

AbstractModern farming practices in the midwestern United States have drastically altered the landscape. Most wetlands have been drained, and small streams are channelized to transport excess water away from tile‐drained agricultural fields. Loss of critical wetland habitat has shifted the distribution of muskrats Ondatra zibethicus, an economically important furbearer in the region, to highly altered riparian habitats with unstable flow regimes. However, information regarding home‐range size and space use for muskrats occurring in these linear habitats is lacking. We used location data from 26 radio‐marked muskrats to estimate home‐range size and space use in riparian habitats in an agroecosystem in east‐central Illinois, USA. Home ranges were highly linear and confined to stream bank edges. Contrary to our prediction, muskrats did not freely move to upland habitat (e.g. row‐crop agriculture) adjacent to stream edges to forage. Linear home ranges were longer for adults than for juveniles. Home‐range size also was related positively to number of burrows used by individuals. As expected, muskrats used space non‐randomly within linear home ranges with most movements aggregated around established bank burrows. Muskrats in riparian habitat are multiple central‐place foragers. Our study provides insight into how muskrats, a semi‐aquatic species affected by large‐scale landscape change, use space within highly restricted linear habitats.
Determinants of bird ring return: a questionnaire to duck hunters
Authors: Guillemain Matthieu 
Published: February 2011

AbstractMany ringing programmes rely heavily on rings returned by hunters, yet the motivation of hunters to participate in such schemes has not so far been examined. A questionnaire survey was launched while French hunters reported hunted teal Anas crecca rings. The main aim was to quantify the proportion of rings returned by different means, to ask hunters about their previous knowledge of the ringing programme and about their motivation to report rings. Hunters reporting rings exhibited altruistic behaviour, sending their data with little knowledge of what they will be used for, and indicated their willingness to help research as their main motivation. They showed little interest in an internet‐based ring return system or internet information, but relied mostly on a phone‐reporting system when the phone number was indicated on nasal saddles (although the sole presence of a nasal saddle in addition to a metal ring also likely improved the reporting rate of such marked birds). Considering these sociological aspects in the advertisement of ringing programmes may help improve ring recovery rates of quarry species.
L'histoire d'un faux document athonite
Authors: Pavlikianov Cyrille 
Published: February 2011

REB 57 1999 France p. 271
Cyrille Paulikianov, L'histoire d'un faux document athonite. — This document of the Athonite monastery of Zographou, hitherto considered genuine, would appear to be a fake of the 17th century.
La perception de la peste en pays chrétien byzantin et musulman
Authors: Congourdeau Marie-Hélène , Melhaoui Mohammed 
Published: February 2011

REB 59 2001 Fiance p. 95.
Marie-Hélène Congourdeau - Mohammed Melhaoui, La perception de la peste en pays chrétien byzantin et musulman. — Le premier contact des Arabes avec la peste bubonique eut lieu lors de l'entrée du calife Omar en Palestine byzantine, en 639-640. Connue par les sources arabes sous le nom de peste d'Emmaüs, cette épidémie était une résurgence de la pandémie autrement connue sous le nom byzantin de peste de Justinien. La peste est donc dès l'abord un malheur que les musulmans partagent avec les Byzantins. Ces demiers ont historiquement de l'avance, puisqu'ils sont affrontés au fléau depuis un siècle (ses premières manifestations remontent à 540). Cependant, chacune de ces deux aires culturelles possède un certain bagage conceptuel avec lequel elle peut aborder la peste.
La promotion du clerc et du moine à l'épiscopat et au patriarcat
Authors: Failler Albert 
Published: February 2011

REB 59 2001 France p. 125.
Albert Failler, La promotion du clerc et du moine à l'épiscopat et au patriarcat. — Membre du clergé patriarcal, Georges Pachymérès (1242-après 1307) se montre solidaire de son corps social et manifeste les plus graves soupçons à l'encontre des moines. Il conteste à ces derniers la prédominance, si ce n'est l'exclusivité, qu'ils ont acquise au fil des siècles pour l'accession à l'épiscopat. Il met particulièrement en cause l'obligation de la tonsure monastique comme préalable à l'ordination episcopate. Dans la même ligne, il ne cache pas sa préférence pour les patriarches qui ne sont pas issus du monachisme ou qui, du moins, n'ont pas reçu leur première formation ecclésiastique chez les moines. Pour l'historien, Jean XI Bekkos demeure, malgré ses erreurs, le modèle du bon patriarche, tandis qu'Athanase Ier, dont il projette l'ombre sur chacun des autres patriarches de l'époque, personnifie le mauvais pasteur.