bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Inbreeding in Finland
Authors: Jorde L.B. , Pitkänen K.J. 
Published: September 2011

AbstractWe have compiled data on the frequency of first‐cousin marriages in Finland using royal dispensation records for the time period 1810–1872 and national population statistics for the time period 1878–1920. For the earlier period, 0.315% of Finland's marriages were contracted between first cousins (2,331 of 739,387). During the second time period, 0.174% of Finland's marriages took place between first cousins (1,325 of 761,976). These figures, which yield average kinship coefficients of 0.00020 and 0.00011, respectively, show that the level of inbreeding in Finland due to first‐cousin marriage has been quite low. An analysis of individual parishes shows that first‐cousin marriages are, on average, substantially less frequent than predicted by a random‐mating model. In order to evaluate determinants of first‐cousin marriage, several predictive variables have been examined: parish ethnic composition (proportion of Swedish and Finnish speakers), husband's occupation (graded into 6 socioeconomic levels), geographic distance between spouses' premarital residences, population density, parish endogamy, and urban vs. rural residence. Various logistic and linear regression models were analyzed in which consanguinity was the dependent variable. The best predictors of consanguinity were ethnic composition and occupation. The other variables were not in general significant predictors. These results show that many of the “mate availability” factors that would be predicted theoretically to account for consanguinity variation (population density, geographic isolation, urban vs. rural residence) do not. Instead, the best predictors of consanguinity at the first‐cousin level are cultural factors such as ethnicity and occupation. Evaluation of cultural variables can provide a greatly enriched interpretation of complex biosocial phenomena such as inbreeding.
Genetic variation in Arizona Mexican Americans: Estimation and interpretation of admixture proportions
Authors: Long Jeffrey C. , Williams Robert C. , McAuley Joan E. , Medis Robin , Partel Rosalinda , Tregellas W. Michael , South Susan F. , Rea Ann E. , McCormick Steven B. , Iwaniec Urszula 
Published: September 2011

AbstractMexican Americans are a numerous and fast growing ethnic population in the United States. Yet little is known about their genetic structure. Since they are a hybrid, it is of interest to identify their parental populations and to estimate the relative contributions of these groups. This information is relevant to historical, biomedical, and evolutionary concerns.New genetic typings on 730 Arizona Mexican Americans for the HLA‐A, HLA‐B, ABO, Rh, MNSs, Duffy, Kidd, and Kell loci are presented here and they are used to estimate ancestral contributions. We considered both a dihybrid model with Amerindians and Spaniards as proposed ancestors, and a trihybrid model with Amerindians, Spaniards, and Africans as proposed ancestors. A modified weighted least squares method that allows for linkage disequilibrium was used to estimate ancestral contributions for each model. The following admixture estimates were obtained: Amerindian, 0.29 ± 0.04; Spaniard, 0.68 ± 0.05; and African, 0.03 ± 0.02.The interpretation of these results with respect to Amerindian and Spanish ancestry is straightforward. African ancestry is strongly supported by the presence of a marker of African descent, Fy, despite the fact that the standard error of the estimate is as large as the estimated admixture proportion.An evaluation of the sensitivity of these results to a number of variables is presented: 1) our choices of ancestral allele frequencies, 2) the possibility of selection at HLA and the blood groups, and 3) genetic drift in Mexican Americans.
Variance in intrinsic rates of growth among free‐ranging rhesus monkey groups
Authors: Stucki Barbara R. , Dow Malcolm M. , Sade Donald Stone 
Published: September 2011

AbstractDifferential rates of intrinsic growth for the population of Macaca mulatta on Cayo Santiago partitioned by social group and dominance rank of genealogies indicate that the potential for increase is not uniformly distributed throughout the population. In the period from 1973 to 1974, high‐ranking genealogies were growing at a faster rate than low‐ranking genealogies. Large differences in r among the social groups indicate the possible existence of demographic, genetic, or social differences between groups. A random resampling procedure was employed to assess the statistical significance of differences in the intrinsic rate of growth among the 5 natural social groups and the 3 partitions formed by, respectively, lumping members of high‐, middle‐, and low‐ranking genealogies across several social groups. Comparisons among social groups shows that there are significant differences in the rate of growth between Group J and Group M, and between Group J and Group F for the period from 1973 to 1974. Among dominance ranks of genealogies, significant differences in r were found between the partitions of the high‐ and middle‐ranking genealogies. These findings suggest that differential reproductive success is influenced and maintained by underlying variations in the distribution of behavioral traits in the population.
Activity patterns in the Sahara Desert: An interpretation based on cross‐sectional geometric properties
Authors: Nikita Efthymia , Ysi Siew Yun , Stock Jay , Mattingly David , Mirazón Lahr Marta 
Published: September 2011

AbstractThe Garamantian civilization flourished in modern Fezzan, Libya, between 900 BC and 500 AD, during which the aridification of the Sahara was well established. Study of the archaeological remains suggests a population successful at coping with a harsh environment of high and fluctuating temperatures and reduced water and food resources. This study explores the activity patterns of the Garamantes by means of cross‐sectional geometric properties. Long bone diaphyseal shape and rigidity are compared between the Garamantes and populations from Egypt and Sudan, namely from the sites of Kerma, el‐Badari, and Jebel Moya, to determine whether the Garamantian daily activities were more strenuous than those of other North African populations. Moreover, sexual dimorphism and bilateral asymmetry are assessed at an intra‐ and inter‐population level. The inter‐population comparisons showed the Garamantes not to be more robust than the comparative populations, suggesting that the daily Garamantian activities necessary for survival in the Sahara Desert did not generally impose greater loads than those of other North African populations. Sexual dimorphism and bilateral asymmetry in almost all geometric properties of the long limbs were comparatively low among the Garamantes. Only the lower limbs were significantly stronger among males than females, possibly due to higher levels of mobility associated with herding. The lack of systematic bilateral asymmetry in cross‐sectional geometric properties may relate to the involvement of the population in bilaterally intensive activities or the lack of regular repetition of unilateral activities. Am J Phys Anthropol, 2011. © 2011 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Structure−property relationships of halogen‐free flame‐retarded poly(butylene terephthalate) and glass fiber reinforced PBT
Authors: Köppl T. , Brehme S. , Wolff‐Fabris F. , Altstädt V. , Schartel B. , Döring M. 
Published: September 2011

AbstractFlame retardancy for thermoplastics is a challenging task where chemists and engineers work together to find solutions to improve the burning behavior without strongly influencing other key properties of the material. In this work, the halogen‐free additives aluminum diethylphosphinate (AlPi‐Et) and a mixture of aluminum phosphinate (AlPi) and resorcinol‐bis(di‐2,6‐xylyl phosphate) (AlPi‐H + RXP) are employed in neat and reinforced poly(butylene terephthalate) (PBT), and the morphology, mechanical performance, rheological behavior, and flammability of these materials are compared. Both additives show submicron dimensions but differ in terms of particle and agglomerate sizes und shapes. The overall mechanical performance of the PBT flame‐retarded with AlPi‐Et is lower than that with AlPi‐H‐RXP, due to the presence of larger agglomerates. Moreover, the flow behavior of the AlPi‐Et/PBT materials is dramatically changed as the larger rod‐like primary particles build a percolation threshold. In terms of flammability, both additives perform similar in the UL 94 test and under forced‐flaming combustion. Nevertheless, AlPi‐Et performs better than AlPi‐H + RXP in the LOI test. The concentration required to achieve acceptable flame retardancy ranges above 15 wt %. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2012
Properties of styrene butadiene rubber (SBR)/recycled acrylonitrile butadiene rubber (NBRr) blends: The effects of carbon black/silica (CB/Sil) hybrid filler and silane coupling agent, Si69
Authors: Noriman Nik Z. , Ismail Hanafi 
Published: September 2011

AbstractThe recycling or reuse of waste rubber by means of blending together with polymeric materials in addition of filler such as hybrid carbon black and silica (CB/Sil) to a polymer system can provides an opportunity to explore alternative product specifications. Therefore, in this work the investigation of recycled rubber blends based on styrene butadiene rubber/recycled acrylonitrile butadiene rubber (SBR/NBRr) blends reinforced with 50/0, 40/10, 30/20, 20/30, 40/10, 0/50 phr of carbon black/silica (CB/Sil) hybrid filler treated with and without silane coupling agent (Si69) were determined. Cure characteristics, tensile properties, and morphological behavior of selected SBR/NBRr blends at a fix 85/15 blend ratio were evaluated. Results showed that, cure time t90, minimum torque (ML), and maximum torque (MH) of CB/Sil hybrid fillers filled SBR/NBRr blends with and without Si69 increased as silica content increased. However, t90 and ML of SBR/NBRr blends with Si69 were lower than without Si69 except for (MH). The optimum scorch time (ts2) of SBR/NBRr blends with and without Si69 was obtained at 30/20 phr of CB/Sil hybrid filler. However, ts2 of SBR/NBRr blends with Si69 were longer than SBR/NBRr blends without Si69. The incorporation of Si69 has improved the tensile properties [(tensile strength, elongation at break (Eb), stress at 100% elongation (M100), and stress at 300% elongation (M300)] of CB/Sil hybrid fillers filled SBR/NBRr blends. These properties were influenced by the degree of crosslinked density as the silica content is increased. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) of the tensile fracture surfaces indicated that, with the addition of Si69 improved the dispersion of hybrid fillers and NBRr in SBR/NBRr matrix. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2012
Fire performance and post‐fire mechanical properties of polymer composites coated with hybrid carbon nanofiber paper
Authors: Zhuge Jinfeng , Gou Jihua , Chen Ruey‐Hung , Zhou Aixi , Yu Ziqing 
Published: September 2011

AbstractIn this study, glass fiber reinforced polyester composites were coated with carbon nanofiber/clay/ammonium polyphosphate (CCA) paper and carbon nanofiber/exfoliated graphite nanoplatelets/ammonium polyphosphate (CXA) paper. The composites were exposed to a heat flux of 35 kW/m2 during the cone calorimeter testing. The testing results showed a significant reduction in both heat release rates and mass loss rates. The peak heat release rate (PHRR) of CCA and CXA composite samples in the major decomposition period are 23 and 34% lower than the control sample, respectively. The time to reach the PHRR for the CCA and CXA composite samples are ∼ 125% longer than the control sample. After the composite samples were exposed to heat for different time periods, their post‐fire mechanical properties were determined by three‐point bending testing. The three‐point bending testing results show that the composite samples coated with such hybrid papers exhibit more than 20% improvement in mechanical resistance at early stages of combustion. The mechanism of hybrid carbon nanofiber paper protecting the underlying laminated composites is discussed. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2012
Synthesis and Biological Evaluation of 4α/4β‐Imidazolyl Podophyllotoxin Analogues as Antitumor Agents
Authors: Shang Hai , Chen Hong , Zhao Dongmei , Tang Xiaowei , Liu Yongfeng , Pan Li , Cheng Maosheng 
Published: September 2011

AbstractA series of 4α/4β‐imidazolyl podophyllotoxin analogues have been designed and synthesized. All of the compounds were evaluated for their anticancer activity against a panel of three human cancer cell lines. Within the cell lines tested, some of the synthesized compounds showed promising anticancer activity. Compound 12, in particular, exhibited remarkable cytotoxicity, demonstrating effects against all tumor cell lines, including the K562/ADM cell line.
Molecular imaging of cartilage damage of finger joints in early rheumatoid arthritis with delayed gadolinium‐enhanced magnetic resonance imaging
Authors: Miese Falk , Buchbender Christian , Scherer Axel , Wittsack Hans‐Jörg , Specker Christof , Schneider Matthias , Antoch Gerald , Ostendorf Benedikt 
Published: September 2011

AbstractObjectiveTo assess cartilage glycosaminoglycan content and cartilage thickness in the metacarpophalangeal (MCP) joints of patients with early rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and healthy volunteers.MethodsAfter review board approval and informed consent were obtained, 22 subjects were prospectively enrolled (9 patients with early RA [7 women and 2 men with a mean ± SD age of 49 ± 13 years; range 25–68 years] and 13 healthy volunteers [10 women and 3 men with a mean ± SD age of 51 ± 12 years; range 25–66 years). In a total of 44 MCP joints of the index and middle fingers, measurements of cartilage thickness and delayed gadolinium‐enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of cartilage (dGEMRIC) index (T1 [msec]) were obtained using the variable flip‐angle method and a 3T MR scanner. MRIs were evaluated for bone edema, erosions, and synovitis (using the RA MRI Scoring criteria). Student's t‐test was used to test the significance of differences between groups.ResultsThe mean ± SD dGEMRIC index was 497 ± 86 msec in healthy volunteers and was significantly lower in the early RA group (421 ± 76 msec) (P = 0.042). There was no joint space narrowing seen on standard radiographs. No significant difference was found between cartilage thickness in patients with early RA and that in controls (index finger mean ± SD 1.27 ± 0.23 mm in RA patients versus 1.46 ± 0.34 mm in controls [P = 0.16] and middle finger 1.26 ± 0.23 mm in RA patients versus 0.97 ± 0.47 mm in controls [P = 0.10]). No significant correlation was noted between cartilage thickness and dGEMRIC index (R = 0.36, P = 0.88 in RA patients; R = 0.156, P = 0.445 in controls).ConclusionOur findings indicate that cartilage damage is present in the MCP joints of patients with early RA despite the absence of joint space narrowing on standard radiographs and MRI. Cartilage damage in RA can be imaged with dGEMRIC.
Prescribing practices in a US cohort of rheumatoid arthritis patients before and after publication of the American College of Rheumatology treatment recommendations
Authors: Harrold Leslie R. , Harrington J. Timothy , Curtis Jeffrey R. , Furst Daniel E. , Bentley Mary Jane , Shan Ying , Reed George , Kremer Joel , Greenberg Jeffrey D. 
Published: September 2011

AbstractObjectiveTo examine prescribing practices in the use of biologic and nonbiologic disease‐modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs) to treat patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), before and after publication of the American College of Rheumatology (ACR) treatment recommendations.MethodsBiologics‐naive RA patients under the care of a rheumatologist in the US were identified from the Consortium of Rheumatology Researchers of North America registry. Patients were included if their visits occurred prior to and/or at least 6 months after publication of the ACR treatment recommendations (time periods of February 2002–June 2008 versus December 2008–December 2009). The population was divided into 2 mutually exclusive cohorts: 1) methotrexate (MTX) monotherapy users, and 2) multiple nonbiologic DMARD users. Initiation or dose escalation of biologic and nonbiologic DMARDs in response to active disease was assessed cross‐sectionally and longitudinally in comparison to the ACR recommendations. The impact of the publication of the ACR recommendations on treatment practices was assessed using logistic regression, stratified by disease activity and adjusted for clustering of physicians and geographic region.ResultsAfter 1 visit, 24–37% of patients receiving MTX monotherapy who had moderate disease activity and a poor prognosis or high disease activity received care consistent with the ACR recommendations; after 2 visits, 34–56% of the MTX monotherapy group received care consistent with the recommendations. In the patients receiving multiple nonbiologic DMARDs, 31–47% of those with moderate or high disease activity received care consistent with the recommendations after 1 visit, and 43–51% received such care after 2 visits. Publication of the recommendations did not significantly change treatment patterns for those with active disease.ConclusionSubstantial numbers of RA patients with active disease did not receive care consistent with the current ACR treatment recommendations. Innovative approaches to improve care are necessary.
Time trends and geographic variations in the prevalence of hypospadias in China
Authors: Li Yuehua , Mao Meng , Dai Li , Li Kesheng , Li Xiaohong , Zhou Guangxuan , Wang Yanping , Li Qi , He Chunhua , Liang Juan , Zhu Jun 
Published: September 2011

AbstractBACKGROUND: Little is known about the main epidemiologic characteristics of hypospadias prevalence in China. We investigated the time trends and geographic variations in the prevalence of hypospadias in China from 1996 to 2008. METHODS: Data were retrieved from the hospital‐based birth defects monitoring system in China from 1996 to 2008. We used prevalence ratios (PRs) to describe the difference in prevalence of hypospadias between urban and rural areas, as well as among different regions. Poisson regression was used to explore the long time trend for the prevalence of hypospadias and its regional disparity. RESULTS: The prevalences of hypospadias for isolated anomalies, multiple anomalies, and overall cases were 7.64, 1.39, and 9.03 per 10,000 births, respectively. The national PRs (urban vs. rural) of hypospadias for overall and isolated cases were 1.25 (95% confidence interval [CI], 1.16–1.35) and 1.27 (95% CI, 1.17–1.38), respectively. The highest prevalence (12.10 per 10,000 births) was observed in the eastern region. A positive correlation was found between the prevalence of hypospadias and maternal age (p < 0.01). The average annual increase of 7.43% (95% CI, 5.52–9.38%) was observed in the overall prevalence of hypospadias in China; it was 5.28% (95% CI, 4.16–6.43%) in urban areas, 9.79% (95% CI, 7.72–11.90%) in rural areas, 9.08% (95% CI, 6.36–11.86%) in the eastern region, 4.76% (95% CI, 2.93–6.62%) in the central region, and 6.57% (95% CI, 4.44–8.74%) in the western region.CONCLUSION: The increasing trends and differences of hypospadias prevalence by urban‐rural classification and geographical location suggest that environmental exposure and maternal age might have a critical role in the development of hypospadias. Birth Defects Research (Part A), 2012. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Challenges in studying genomic structural variant formation mechanisms: The short‐read dilemma and beyond
Authors: Onishi‐Seebacher Megumi , Korbel Jan O. 
Published: September 2011

AbstractNext‐generation sequencing (NGS) technologies have revolutionised the analysis of genomic structural variants (SVs), providing significant insights into SV de novo formation based on analyses of rearrangement breakpoint junctions. The short DNA reads generated by NGS, however, have also created novel obstacles by biasing the ascertainment of SVs, an aspect that we refer to as the ‘short‐read dilemma’. For example, recent studies have found that SVs are often complex, with SV formation generating large numbers of breakpoints in a single event (multi‐breakpoint SVs) or structurally polymorphic loci having multiple allelic states (multi‐allelic SVs). This complexity may be obscured in short reads, unless the data is analysed and interpreted within its wider genomic context. We discuss how novel approaches will help to overcome the short‐read dilemma, and how integration of other sources of information, including the structure of chromatin, may help in the future to deepen the understanding of SV formation processes.
Perfusion regulation of hMSC microenvironment and osteogenic differentiation in 3D scaffold
Authors: Kim Junho , Ma Teng 
Published: September 2011

AbstractThe combination of hMSCs with 3D scaffolds has become an important approach to creating functional bone constructs. Bioreactors are important tools to mitigate mass transfer limitations and to provide controlled physiochemical and biomechanical environments for the 3D bone construct development. Media flow in the bioreactor systems is generally controlled either parallel or transverse with respect to the 3D construct, creating different cellular and biomechanical microenvironments in the 3D constructs. In this study, a custom designed modular perfusion bioreactor system was operated under either the parallel or transverse flow. The influence of the flow patterns on the characteristics of the hMSCs' cellular microenvironment and subsequent construct development was investigated. The parallel flow configuration retained ECM proteins and mitogenic growth factors within the scaffold, effectively preserving hMSC progenicity and proliferation potential (e.g., CFU‐F, proliferation, and OCT‐4), whereas the transverse flow induced hMSC osteogenic differentiation with higher ALP activity and calcium deposition and up‐regulation of osteogenic bone markers (e.g., BMP‐2, ALP, RUNX2, OSX, and OC). These results demonstrate the regulatory role of the macroscopic flow on the cellular microenvironment of the 3D hMSC construct, and suggest configuring media flow as a strategy for directing hMSC fate and 3D bone construct development in the perfusion bioreactor. Biotechnol. Bioeng. 2012;109: 252–261. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Evaluating f‐Element Bonding from Structure and Thermodynamics
Authors: Minasian Stefan G. , Krinsky Jamin L. , Arnold John 
Published: September 2011

AbstractThe practical goal to measure and understand the thermodynamic properties of molecules and materials containing f‐elements is often achieved through indirect methods. Of the characterization tools available to inorganic chemists, few are more powerful than X‐ray crystallography. Yet for lanthanides and actinides, interpretation of a bond length is a challenging undertaking that involves a complex interplay of steric and electronic forces. In this Concept article, we perform an analysis of selected examples in which structural criteria alone have been used to draw qualitative conclusions about chemical bonding. In other instances for which such an analysis is not valid, thermodynamic information is evaluated side by side with structural data to provide reasonable interpretations of a covalent/ionic mode of bonding. A geometric variation larger than 3σ is not necessarily correlated to a change in bonding, nor is an increase in bond energy related to a bond with more covalent character. However, careful consideration of thermodynamic information can lead to reasonable interpretations of electronic structure, and may provide a more reliable benchmark for the theoretical methods which can describe f‐elements.