bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Estimates for Convex Integral Means of Harmonic Functions
Authors: Betsakos Dimitrios 
Published: November 2013

AbstractWe prove that if f is an integrable function on the unit sphere S in ℝn, g is its symmetric decreasing rearrangement and u, v are the harmonic extensions of f, g in the unit ball , then v has larger convex integral means over each sphere rS, 0 < r < 1, than u has. We also prove that if u is harmonic in with |u| < 1 and u(0) = 0, then the convex integral mean of u on each sphere rS is dominated by that of U, which is the harmonic function with boundary values 1 on the right hemisphere and −1 on the left one.
Old wine, new bottles? Using history to inform the assisted colonization debate
Authors: Winston Johnny M. , Minteer Ben A. , Collins James P. 
Published: November 2013

AbstractAssisted colonization, or the translocation of species threatened with extinction to habitats outside their indigenous range (usually as a response to predicted climate shifts), is a divisive issue for conservationists. Yet, history shows that wildlife scientists were discussing the trade-offs and challenges of translocating species for conservation purposes, including introducing them to new habitats, long before anthropogenic climate change was recognized as posing a conservation problem. Here we examine a case of the scientific and policy deliberations of a high profile group of scientists and policy advisers from the 1960s (the U.S. Bureau of Sport Fisheries and Wildlife's Committee on Rare and Endangered Wildlife Species) to provide a useful historical context for assessing current debates on assisted colonization. The Committee's attempt to produce a consistent policy for the ‘transplantation’ of threatened species illustrates how translocation debates have long hinged on an unresolved set of scientific and conceptual concerns, including the relative value of individual species and historically intact ecosystems and the philosophical status of human-assisted movement of wildlife. Bringing the Committee's deliberations to light places contemporary debates over assisted colonization in the USA in their historical context and illustrates how what often appear to be highly technical and scientific disagreements over conservation translocations are ultimately driven by deeper conceptual issues about the means and ends of conservation.
Monitoring the effects of forest clear-cutting and mongoose Herpestes auropunctatus invasion on wildlife diversity on Amami Island, Japan
Authors: Sugimura Ken , Ishida Ken , Abe Shintaro , Nagai Yumiko , Watari Yuya , Tatara Masaya , Takashi Mikio , Hashimoto Takuma , Yamada Fumio 
Published: November 2013

AbstractWildlife populations on Amami Island, Japan, have been affected by forest clear-felling and the introduction of alien species, in particular the mongoose Herpestes auropunctatus. We used monitoring data collected over 24 years to track changes in the population sizes of five species of mammals and 20 species of birds. We assigned species to the following groups: indigenous, rare, insectivorous, negatively affected by forest clear-cutting, and negatively affected by mongoose invasion. We examined trends in each group at four time points between 1985 and 2010 using two methods: species abundance estimates and the Living Planet Index. We then assessed the usefulness of these methods as tools for conservation planning. Inspecting species individually we identified four main patterns of abundance change: (a) an increase from the first to the last census period, (b) an increase in all periods except 2009–2010, (c) a decrease from 1985–1986 to 2001–2002 but an increase in 2009–2010, and (d) a decrease in all census periods. We observed certain relationships between these patterns and the species groups assigned as above. According to the Living Planet Index the group negatively affected by forest clear-cutting did not show significant recovery and the groups of rare species and species negatively affected by mongoose recovered to c. 40% of the original level after a sharp decline during 1985–2002. The Living Planet Index is a more useful tool for assessing the urgency of particular conservation needs, although limited information on species abundance reduces its representativeness for some groups.
The precarious persistence of the Endangered Sierra Madre yellow-legged frog Rana muscosa in southern California, USA
Authors: Backlin Adam R. , Hitchcock Cynthia J. , Gallegos Elizabeth A. , Yee Julie L. , Fisher Robert N. 
Published: November 2013

AbstractWe conducted surveys for the Endangered Sierra Madre yellow-legged frog Rana muscosa throughout southern California to evaluate the current distribution and status of the species. Surveys were conducted during 2000–2009 at 150 unique streams and lakes within the San Gabriel, San Bernardino, San Jacinto, and Palomar mountains of southern California. Only nine small, geographically isolated populations were detected across the four mountain ranges, and all tested positive for the amphibian chytrid fungus Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis. Our data show that when R. muscosa is known to be present it is easily detectable (89%) in a single visit during the frog's active season. We estimate that only 166 adult frogs remained in the wild in 2009. Our research indicates that R. muscosa populations in southern California are threatened by natural and stochastic events and may become extirpated in the near future unless there is some intervention to save them.
Positive co-occurrence of flea infestation at a low biological cost in two rodent hosts in the Canary archipelago
Authors: SÁNCHEZ S. , SERRANO E. , GÓMEZ M. S. , FELIU C. , MORAND S. 
Published: November 2013

SUMMARYNon-random assemblages have been described as a common pattern of flea co-occurrence across mainland host species. However, to date, patterns of flea co-occurrence on islands are unknown. The present work investigates, on one hand, whether the decrease in the number of species on islands affects the pattern of flea co-occurrence, and on the other hand, how the cost of higher flea burdens affects host body mass. The study was carried out in the Canary Islands (Spain) using null models to analyse flea co-occurrence onRattus rattusandMus musculus. Results supported aggregation of flea species inMusbut not inRattus, probably due to the relationship between abundance and both prevalence and intensity of infection of the main flea species parasitizingMus. In addition, heavy individuals of both rodent species showed the highest flea burdens as well as higher species richness, probably due to the continued accumulation of fleas throughout life and/or immunological resistance mechanisms. Whatever the mechanisms involved, it is clear that co-occurrence and high parasite intensities do not imply a detrimental biological cost for the rodents of the Canary Islands.
Cognitive functioning associated with stimulant use in patients with non-affective psychosis, their unaffected siblings and healthy controls
Authors: van der Meer F. J. , Meijer J. H. , Meijer C. J. , van den Brink W. , Velthorst E. 
Published: November 2013

BackgroundLittle is known about the effect of stimulant use (amphetamines, cocaine, ecstasy) on cognitive functioning in schizophrenia patients. The current study examined (1) whether recency and frequency of stimulant use is associated with cognitive functioning and (2) whether these associations differ between psychotic patients, their unaffected siblings and controls.MethodParticipants completed a comprehensive cognitive test battery. Stimulant use was assessed by urinalysis and by the Composite International Diagnostic Interview (CIDI). Using random effects regression models, the main effects of Stimulant Use and the interaction with Diagnostic Status on cognitive functioning were assessed.ResultsThe interaction term between Stimulant Use and Diagnostic Status was not significant for any of the cognitive outcome variables, indicating similar effects of stimulant use in all three groups. Recent stimulant users showed more errors deficit in verbal learning in comparison to never users (Cohen's d = −0.60, p < 0.005). Lifetime frequent stimulant use was significantly associated with worse immediate and delayed verbal recall, working memory and acquired knowledge (Cohen's d = −0.22 to −0.29, p < 0.005). Lifetime infrequent stimulant use was not associated with significant cognitive alterations in comparison to never use.ConclusionsThe presence of cognitive deficits associated with lifetime stimulant use is dependent on the frequency of use, with no observed deficits in infrequent users and modest negative effects in frequent users.
A hippocampal indexing model of memory retrieval based on state trajectory reconstruction
Authors: Dominey Peter Ford 
Published: November 2013

AbstractA method is proposed where static patterns or snapshots of cortical activity that could be stored as hyperassociative indices in hippocampus can subsequently be retrieved and reinjected into the neocortex in order to enable neocortex to then proceed to unfold the corresponding sequence, thus implementing an index-based sequence memory storage and retrieval capability.
Mnemonic expertise during wakefulness and sleep
Authors: Dresler Martin , Konrad Boris N. 
Published: November 2013

AbstractWe studied the world's most distinguished experts in the use of mnemonic techniques: the top participants of the World Memory Championships. They neither feel the use of mnemonics to be dreamlike, nor does their REM sleep differ from mnemonic-naive control subjects. Besides these empirical data, also theoretical considerations contradict an isomorphism between features of REM sleep dreaming and mnemonic principles.
Beware of being captured by an analogy: Dreams are like many things
Authors: Erdelyi Matthew Hugh 
Published: November 2013

AbstractClassic traditions have linked dreams to memory (e.g., “dreaming is another kind of remembering” [Freud 1918/1955]) and modern notions like implicit memory subsume dreaming by definition. Llewellyn develops the more specific thesis that rapid eye movement (REM) dreams, because of their similarities to mnemonic techniques, have the function of elaboratively encoding episodic memories. This proposal is premature, requiring exigent testing. Other analogs of dreams, for example, jokes, do not invoke function but do contribute to dream science.
The seahorse, the almond, and the night-mare: Elaborative encoding during sleep-paralysis hallucinations?
Authors: Girard Todd A. 
Published: November 2013

AbstractLlewellyn's proposal that rapid eye movement (REM) dreaming reflects elaborative encoding mediated by the hippocampus (“seahorse”) offers an interesting perspective for understanding hallucinations accompanying sleep paralysis (SP; “night-mare”). SP arises from anomalous intrusion of REM processes into waking consciousness, including threat-detection systems mediated by the amygdala (“almond”). Unique aspects of SP hallucinations offer additional prospects for investigation of Llewellyn's theory of elaborative encoding.
From Freud to acetylcholine: Does the AAOM suffice to construct a dream?
Authors: Porte Helene Sophrin 
Published: November 2013

AbstractToward illuminating the structure of Llewellyn's dream theory, I compare it in formal terms to Freud's dream theory. An alternative to both of these dream machines, grounded in the distribution of cholinergic activation in the central nervous system, is presented. It is suggested that neither “high” nor “low” dream theory is sufficient to account for the properties of dreams.
Dissociative symptoms and REM sleep
Authors: van Heugten-van der Kloet Dalena , Merckelbach Harald , Lynn Steven Jay 
Published: November 2013

AbstractLlewellyn has written a fascinating article about rapid eye movement (REM) dreams and how they promote the elaborative encoding of recent memories. The main message of her article is that hyperassociative and fluid cognitive processes during REM dreaming facilitate consolidation. We consider one potential implication of this analysis: the possibility that excessive or out-of-phase REM sleep fuels dissociative symptomatology. Further research is warranted to explore the psychopathological ramifications of Llewellyn's theory.
Minding the dream self: Perspectives from the analysis of self-experience in dreams
Authors: Windt Jennifer Michelle 
Published: November 2013

AbstractCan ancient art of memory (AAOM) principles explain the function of dreaming? The analysis of self-experience in dreams suggests that the answer is no: The phenomenal dream self lacks certain dimensions that are crucial for the efficacy of AAOM in wakefulness. However, the comparison between dreams and AAOM may be fruitful by suggesting new perspectives for the study of lucid dreaming as well an altered perspective on the efficacy of AAOM itself.
Distributed Particle Swarm Optimization for limited-time adaptation with real robots
Authors: Di Mario Ezequiel , Martinoli Alcherio 
Published: November 2013

SUMMARYEvaluative techniques offer a tremendous potential for online controller design. However, when the optimization space is large and the performance metric is noisy, the overall adaptation process becomes extremely time consuming. Distributing the adaptation process reduces the required time and increases robustness to failure of individual agents. In this paper, we analyze the role of the four algorithmic parameters that determine the total evaluation time in a distributed implementation of a Particle Swarm Optimization (PSO) algorithm. For an obstacle avoidance case study using up to eight robots, we explore in simulation the lower boundaries of these parameters and propose a set of empirical guidelines for choosing their values. We then apply these guidelines to a real robot implementation and show that it is feasible to optimize 24 control parameters per robot within 2 h, a limited amount of time determined by the robots' battery life. We also show that a hybrid simulate-and-transfer approach coupled with a noise-resistant PSO algorithm can be used to further reduce experimental time as compared to a pure real-robot implementation.
Hand-foot-and-mouth disease and weather factors in Guangzhou, southern China
Authors: LI T. , YANG Z. , DI B. , WANG M. 
Published: November 2013

SUMMARYHand-foot-and-mouth disease (HFMD) is becoming one of the common airborne and contact transmission diseases in Guangzhou, southern China, leading public health authorities to be concerned about its increased incidence. In this study, we aimed to examine the effect of weather patterns on the incidence of HFMD in the subtropical city of Guangzhou for the period 2009–2012, and assist public health prevention and control measures. A negative binomial multivariable regression was used to identify the relationship between meteorological variables and HFMD. During the study period, a total of 166 770 HFMD-confirmed cases were reported, of which 11 died, yielding a fatality rate of 0·66/10 000. Annual incidence rates from 2009 to 2012 were 132·44, 311·40, 402·76, and 468·59/1 000 00 respectively. Each 1°C rise in temperature corresponded to an increase of 9·38% (95% CI 8·17–10·51) in the weekly number of HFMD cases, while a 1 hPa rise in atmospheric pressure corresponded to a decrease in the number of cases by 6·80% (95% CI −6·99 to −6·65), having an opposite effect. Similarly, a 1% rise in relative humidity corresponded to an increase of 0·67% or 0·51%, a 1 m/h rise in wind velocity corresponded to an increase of 4·01% or 2·65%, and a 1 day addition in the number of windy days corresponded to an increase of 24·73% or 25·87%, in the weekly number of HFMD cases, depending on the variables considered in the model. Our findings revealed that the epidemic status of HFMD in Guangzhou is characterized by high morbidity but low fatality. Weather factors had a significant influence on occurrence and transmission of HFMD.
Statut aspectuel verbal et stratégie discursive: le cas d'étrangement
Authors: ÁLVAREZ-CASTRO CAMINO 
Published: November 2013

RÉSUMÉL'article présente une recherche portant sur le fonctionnement de l'unitéétrangementdans le discours, à partir des notions d'aspect et de stratégie discursive. L'approche adoptée vise à rendre compte du lien entre forme et sens par le biais de critères linguistiques et d'outils théoriques issus de la théorie de la polyphonie. Nous posons comme hypothèse que l'adverbeétrangementopère une sélection verbale sur la base de critères sémantiques aspectuels, et qui transparaît dans les propriétés distributionnelles des emplois. Ce faisant, il conditionne dans le même temps la structure polyphonique de l'énoncé dans lequel il apparaît.
Widespread sex differences in gene expression and splicing in the adult human brain
Authors: Trabzuni Daniah , Ramasamy Adaikalavan , Imran Sabaena , Walker Robert , Smith Colin , Weale Michael E. , Hardy John , Ryten Mina ,   North American Brain Expression Consortium
Published: November 2013

AbstractThere is strong evidence to show that men and women differ in terms of neurodevelopment, neurochemistry and susceptibility to neurodegenerative and neuropsychiatric disease. The molecular basis of these differences remains unclear. Progress in this field has been hampered by the lack of genome-wide information on sex differences in gene expression and in particular splicing in the human brain. Here we address this issue by using post-mortem adult human brain and spinal cord samples originating from 137 neuropathologically confirmed control individuals to study whole-genome gene expression and splicing in 12 CNS regions. We show that sex differences in gene expression and splicing are widespread in adult human brain, being detectable in all major brain regions and involving 2.5% of all expressed genes. We give examples of genes where sex-biased expression is both disease-relevant and likely to have functional consequences, and provide evidence suggesting that sex biases in expression may reflect sex-biased gene regulatory structures.
CIP75 (connexin43-interacting protein of 75 kDa) mediates the endoplasmic reticulum dislocation of connexin43
Authors: Su Vivian , Hoang Christina , Geerts Dirk , Lau Alan F. 
Published: November 2013

Gap junctions are intercellular channels that comprise connexin proteins such as Cx43 (connexin43). The level of gap junctional intercellular communication can be regulated by Cx43 turnover mediated through various degradation pathways. The UbL (ubiquitin-like) domain-UBA (ubiquitin-associated) domain protein, CIP75 (connexin43-interacting protein of 75 kDa), regulates the proteasomal degradation of Cx43. Subcellular fractionation studies indicated that CIP75 interacts with Cx43 that is localized to the membrane of the ER (endoplasmic reticulum). This Cx43–CIP75 complex also contained the proteasomal subunits S2/Rpn1 and S5a/Rpn10, as demonstrated by co-immunoprecipitation. The deliberate misfolding of Cx43, induced by DTT, led to enhanced CIP75 binding. Reducing CIP75 levels by shRNA-mediated knockdown diminished the association of Cx43 with the proteasome, but still allowed for Cx43 ER dislocation and degradation. These results suggested that CIP75 is essential for the interaction of Cx43 and the proteasome, but that alternate compensatory mechanisms exist to supplement the degradation normally facilitated by CIP75.
Reading and Listening in People With Aphasia: Effects of Syntactic Complexity
Authors: DeDe Gayle 
Published: November 2013

Purpose
The purpose of this study was to compare online effects of syntactic complexity in written and spoken sentence comprehension in people with aphasia (PWA) and adults with no brain damage (NBD).

Method

The participants in Experiment 1 were NBD older and younger adults (
n
= 20 per group). The participants in Experiment 2 were 10 PWA. In both experiments, the participants read and listened to sentences in self-paced reading and listening tasks. The experimental materials consisted of object cleft sentences (e.g.,
It was the girl who the boy hugged
.) and subject cleft sentences (e.g.,
It was the boy who hugged the girl
.).

Results
The predicted effects of syntactic complexity were observed in both Experiments 1 and 2: Reading and listening times were longer for the verb in sentences with object compared to subject relative clauses. The NBD controls showed exaggerated effects of syntactic complexity in reading compared to listening. The PWA did not show different modality effects from the NBD participants.

Conclusion
Although effects of syntactic complexity were somewhat exaggerated in reading compared with listening, both the PWA and the NBD controls showed similar effects in both modalities.
Ultrasound Biofeedback Treatment for Persisting Childhood Apraxia of Speech
Authors: Preston Jonathan L. , Brick Nickole , Landi Nicole 
Published: November 2013

Purpose
The purpose of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of a treatment program that includes ultrasound biofeedback for children with persisting speech sound errors associated with childhood apraxia of speech (CAS).

Method
Six children ages 9–15 years participated in a multiple baseline experiment for 18 treatment sessions during which treatment focused on producing sequences involving lingual sounds. Children were cued to modify their tongue movements using visual feedback from real-time ultrasound images. Probe data were collected before, during, and after treatment to assess word-level accuracy for treated and untreated sound sequences. As participants reached preestablished performance criteria, new sequences were introduced into treatment.

Results
All participants met the performance criterion (80% accuracy for 2 consecutive sessions) on at least 2 treated sound sequences. Across the 6 participants, performance criterion was met for 23 of 31 treated sequences in an average of 5 sessions. Some participants showed no improvement in untreated sequences, whereas others showed generalization to untreated sequences that were phonetically similar to the treated sequences. Most gains were maintained 2 months after the end of treatment. The percentage of phonemes correct increased significantly from pretreatment to the 2-month follow-up.

Conclusion
A treatment program including ultrasound biofeedback is a viable option for improving speech sound accuracy in children with persisting speech sound errors associated with CAS.
Spinal Epidural Hematoma Caused by Pseudogout: A Case Report and Literature Review
Authors: deSouza R. M. , Uff C. , Galloway M. , Dorward N. L. 
Published: November 2013

Study Design Case report. Objective We present the first reported case of spontaneous spinal epidural hematoma secondary to calcium pyrophosphate crystal deposition disease (pseudogout) in a 75-year-old woman. Methods A retrospective review of the patient's case notes was undertaken and the limited literature on this subject reviewed. Results This patient presented with sudden-onset lower limb paresis, sensory loss, urinary retention, and back pain. Magnetic resonance imaging showed an epidural hematoma, which was evacuated. Histologic specimens of the clot showed calcium pyrophosphate dihydrate crystal deposits (pseudogout). Conclusion The importance of histopathologic review of surgical specimens is highlighted when considering the differential diagnosis of apparently spontaneous spinal epidural hematoma.