bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Morphological and molecular characterization of adult worms of Leucochloridium paradoxum Carus, 1835 and L. perturbatum Pojmańska, 1969 (Digenea: Leucochloridiidae) from the great tit, Parus major L., 1758 and similarity with the sporocyst stages
Authors: Rząd I. , Hofsoe P. , Panicz R. , Nowakowski J.K. 
Published: May 2013

AbstractUnlike the sporocyst stages, adult leucochloridiid digeneans are difficult to differentiate. Sporocyst broodsacs can be identified on the basis of their colour and banding pattern, but in the absence of broodsacs and when experimental infection cannot be performed, tentative morphological identification needs to be verified, and molecular techniques offer a tool to do this. In this study, adult leucochloridiid digeneans were collected from the great tit (Parus major) found dead at three localities at or near the Baltic Sea coast (Hel, Bukowo-Kopań and Szczecin) in northern Poland. On the basis of differences in their morphological characters, Hel specimens were tentatively assigned to Leucochloridium perturbatum, Bukowo-Kopań and Szczecin specimens being identified tentatively as L. paradoxum. Subsequent ribosomal DNA sequence analysis confirmed the identification of these leucochloridiid flukes. Nucleotide sequences discriminating between the two species were identical to those used by earlier authors as characteristic of two distinctly different sporocyst broodsacs representing L. perturbatum and L. paradoxum.
Comparative host–parasite population genetic structures: obligate fly ectoparasites on Galapagos seabirds
Authors: LEVIN IRIS I. , PARKER PATRICIA G. 
Published: May 2013

SUMMARYParasites often have shorter generation times and, in some cases, faster mutation rates than their hosts, which can lead to greater population differentiation in the parasite relative to the host. Here we present a population genetic study of two ectoparasitic flies,Olfersia spiniferaandOlfersia aenescenscompared with their respective bird hosts, great frigatebirds (Fregata minor) and Nazca boobies (Sula granti).Olfersia spiniferais the vector of a haemosporidian parasite,Haemoproteus iwa, which infects frigatebirds throughout their range. Interestingly, there is no genetic differentiation in the haemosporidian parasite across this range despite strong genetic differentiation between Galapagos frigatebirds and their non-Galapagos conspecifics. It is possible that the broad distribution of this oneH. iwalineage could be facilitated by movement of infectedO. spinifera. Therefore, we predicted more gene flow in both fly species compared with the bird hosts. Mitochondrial DNA sequence data from three genes per species indicated that despite marked differences in the genetic structure of the bird hosts, gene flow was very high in both fly species. A likely explanation involves non-breeding movements of hosts, including movement of juveniles, and movement by adult birds whose breeding attempt has failed, although we cannot rule out the possibility that closely related host species may be involved.
Reduced parahippocampal cortical thickness in subjects at ultra-high risk for psychosis
Authors: Tognin S. , Riecher-Rössler A. , Meisenzahl E. M. , Wood S. J. , Hutton C. , Borgwardt S. J. , Koutsouleris N. , Yung A. R. , Allen P. , Phillips L. J. , McGorry P. D. , Valli I. , Velakoulis D. , Nelson B. , Woolley J. , Pantelis C. , McGuire P. , Mechelli A. 
Published: May 2013

BackgroundGrey matter volume and cortical thickness represent two complementary aspects of brain structure. Several studies have described reductions in grey matter volume in people at ultra-high risk (UHR) of psychosis; however, little is known about cortical thickness in this group. The aim of the present study was to investigate cortical thickness alterations in UHR subjects and compare individuals who subsequently did and did not develop psychosis.MethodWe examined magnetic resonance imaging data collected at four different scanning sites. The UHR subjects were followed up for at least 2 years. Subsequent to scanning, 50 UHR subjects developed psychosis and 117 did not. Cortical thickness was examined in regions previously identified as sites of neuroanatomical alterations in UHR subjects, using voxel-based cortical thickness.ResultsAt baseline UHR subjects, compared with controls, showed reduced cortical thickness in the right parahippocampal gyrus (p < 0.05, familywise error corrected). There were no significant differences in cortical thickness between the UHR subjects who later developed psychosis and those who did not.ConclusionsThese data suggest that UHR symptomatology is characterized by alterations in the thickness of the medial temporal cortex. We did not find evidence that the later progression to psychosis was linked to additional alterations in cortical thickness, although we cannot exclude the possibility that the study lacked sufficient power to detect such differences.
Effect of interferon-αon cortical glutamate in patients with hepatitis C: a proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy study
Authors: Taylor M. J. , Godlewska B. , Near J. , Christmas D. , Potokar J. , Collier J. , Klenerman P. , Barnes E. , Cowen P. J. 
Published: May 2013

BackgroundThe development of depressive symptomatology is a recognized complication of treatment with the cytokine interferon-α(IFN-α) and has been seen as supporting inflammatory theories of the pathophysiology of major depression. Major depression has been associated with changes in glutamatergic activity and recent formulations of IFN-induced depression have implicated neurotoxic influences that could also lead to changes in glutamate function. The present study used magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) to measure glutamate and its major metabolite glutamine in patients with hepatitis C who received treatment with pegylated IFN-αand ribavirin.MethodMRS measurements of glutamate and glutamine were taken from a 25 × 20 × 20 mm voxel including the pregenual anterior cingulate cortex in 12 patients before and after 4–6 weeks of treatment with IFN.ResultsIFN treatment led to an increase in cortical levels of glutamine (p = 0.02) and a significant elevation in the ratio of glutamine to glutamate (p < 0.01). Furthermore, changes in glutamine level correlated significantly with ratings of depression and anxiety at the time of the second scan.ConclusionsWe conclude that treatment with IFN-αis associated with MRS-visible changes in glutamatergic metabolism. However, the changes seen differ from those reported in major depression, which suggests that the pathophysiology of IFN-induced depression may be distinct from that of major depression more generally.
Whatever next? Predictive brains, situated agents, and the future of cognitive science
Authors: Clark Andy 
Published: May 2013

AbstractBrains, it has recently been argued, are essentially prediction machines. They are bundles of cells that support perception and action by constantly attempting to match incoming sensory inputs with top-down expectations or predictions. This is achieved using a hierarchical generative model that aims to minimize prediction error within a bidirectional cascade of cortical processing. Such accounts offer a unifying model of perception and action, illuminate the functional role of attention, and may neatly capture the special contribution of cortical processing to adaptive success. This target article critically examines this “hierarchical prediction machine” approach, concluding that it offers the best clue yet to the shape of a unified science of mind and action. Sections 1 and 2 lay out the key elements and implications of the approach. Section 3 explores a variety of pitfalls and challenges, spanning the evidential, the methodological, and the more properly conceptual. The paper ends (sections 4 and 5) by asking how such approaches might impact our more general vision of mind, experience, and agency.
Skull-bound perception and precision optimization through culture
Authors: Paton Bryan , Skewes Josh , Frith Chris , Hohwy Jakob 
Published: May 2013

AbstractClark acknowledges but resists the indirect mind–world relation inherent in prediction error minimization (PEM). But directness should also be resisted. This creates a puzzle, which calls for reconceptualization of the relation. We suggest that a causal conception captures both aspects. With this conception, aspects of situated cognition, social interaction and culture can be understood as emerging through precision optimization.
The problem with brain GUTs: Conflation of different senses of “prediction” threatens metaphysical disaster
Authors: Anderson Michael L. , Chemero Tony 
Published: May 2013

AbstractClark appears to be moving toward epistemic internalism, which he once rightly rejected. This results from a double over-interpretation of predictive coding's significance. First, Clark argues that predictive coding offers a Grand Unified Theory (GUT) of brain function. Second, he over-reads its epistemic import, perhaps even conflating causal and epistemic mediators. We argue instead for a plurality of neurofunctional principles.
Extending predictive processing to the body: Emotion as interoceptive inference
Authors: Seth Anil K. , Critchley Hugo D. 
Published: May 2013

AbstractThe Bayesian brain hypothesis provides an attractive unifying framework for perception, cognition, and action. We argue that the framework can also usefully integrate interoception, the sense of the internal physiological condition of the body. Our model of “interoceptive predictive coding” entails a new view of emotion as interoceptive inference and may account for a range of psychiatric disorders of selfhood.
Unraveling the mind
Authors: Gerrans Philip 
Published: May 2013

AbstractA radical interpretation of the predictive coding approach suggests that the mind is “seamless” – that is, that cancellation of error signals can propagate smoothly from highest to lowest levels of the control hierarchy, dissolving a distinction between belief and perception. Delusions of alien control provide a test case. Close examination suggests that while they are evidence of predictive coding within the cortex, they are not evidence for the seamless interpretation.
Maximal mutual information, not minimal entropy, for escaping the “Dark Room”
Authors: Little Daniel Ying-Jeh , Sommer Friedrich Tobias 
Published: May 2013

AbstractA behavioral drive directed solely at minimizing prediction error would cause an agent to seek out states of unchanging, and thus easily predictable, sensory inputs (such as a dark room). The default to an evolutionarily encoded prior to avoid such untenable behaviors is unsatisfying. We suggest an alternate information theoretic interpretation to address this dilemma.
Interactively human: Sharing time, constructing materiality
Authors: Roepstorff Andreas 
Published: May 2013

AbstractPredictive processing models of cognition are promising an elegant way to unite action, perception, and learning. However, in the current formulations, they are species-unspecific and have very little particularly human about them. I propose to examine how, in this framework, humans can be able to massively interact and to build shared worlds that are both material and symbolic.
Early word segmentation in infants acquiring Parisian French: task-dependent and dialect-specific aspects
Authors: NAZZI THIERRY , MERSAD KARIMA , SUNDARA MEGHA , IAKIMOVA GALINA , POLKA LINDA 
Published: May 2013

ABSTRACTSix experiments explored Parisian French-learning infants' ability to segment bisyllabic words from fluent speech. The first goal was to assess whether bisyllabic word segmentation emerges later in infants acquiring European French compared to other languages. The second goal was to determine whether infants learning different dialects of the same language have partly different segmentation abilities, and whether segmenting a non-native dialect has a cost. Infants were tested on standard European or Canadian French stimuli, in the word–passage or passage–word order. Our study first establishes an early onset of segmentation abilities: Parisian infants segment bisyllabic words at age 0;8 in the passage–word order only (revealing a robust order of presentation effect). Second, it shows that there are differences in segmentation abilities across Parisian and Canadian French infants, and that there is a cost for cross-dialect segmentation for Parisian infants. We discuss the implications of these findings for understanding word segmentation processes.
Evaluating sustainability of fisheries bycatch mortality for marine megafauna: a review of conservation reference points for data-limited populations
Authors: MOORE J. E. , CURTIS K. A. , LEWISON R. L. , DILLINGHAM P. W. , COPE J. M. , FORDHAM S. V. , HEPPELL S. S. , PARDO S. A. , SIMPFENDORFER C. A. , TUCK G. N. , ZHOU S. 
Published: May 2013

SUMMARYFisheries bycatch threatens populations of marine megafauna such as marine mammals, turtles, seabirds, sharks and rays, but fisheries impacts on non-target populations are often difficult to assess due to factors such as data limitation, poorly defined management objectives and lack of quantitative bycatch reduction targets. Limit reference points can be used to address these issues and thereby facilitate adoption and implementation of mitigation efforts. Reference points based on catch data and life history analysis can identify sustainability limits for bycatch with respect to defined population goals even when data are quite limited. This can expedite assessments for large numbers of species and enable prioritization of management actions based on mitigation urgency and efficacy. This paper reviews limit reference point estimators for marine megafauna bycatch, with the aim of highlighting their utility in fisheries management and promoting best practices for use. Different estimators share a common basic structure that can be flexibly applied to different contexts depending on species life history and available data types. Information on demographic vital rates and abundance is required; of these, abundance is the most data-dependent and thus most limiting factor for application. There are different approaches for handling management risk stemming from uncertainty in reference point and bycatch estimates. Risk tolerance can be incorporated explicitly into the reference point estimator itself, or probability distributions may be used to describe uncertainties in bycatch and reference point estimates, and risk tolerance may guide how those are factored into the management process. Either approach requires simulation-based performance testing such as management strategy evaluation to ensure that management objectives can be achieved. Factoring potential sources of bias into such evaluations is critical. This paper reviews the technical, operational, and political challenges to widespread application of reference points for management of marine megafauna bycatch, while emphasizing the importance of developing assessment frameworks that can facilitate sustainable fishing practices.
The necessity for testing germination of fresh seeds in studies on diaspore heteromorphism as a life-history strategy
Authors: Baskin Jerry M. , Lu Juan J. , Baskin Carol C. , Tan Dun Y. 
Published: May 2013

AbstractMany studies have compared diaspore dispersal ability and degree of dormancy in the two diaspores of dimorphic plant species. A primary goal of these studies was to determine if germination and dispersal characteristics of the two morphs fit within a high risk–low risk (bet-hedging) life-history strategy, i.e. high dispersal/low dormancy in one morph versus low dispersal/high dormancy in the other one. In a survey of 26 papers on 28 diaspore dimorphic species, we found that in 12 of the studies, which were published between 1978 and 2008, seeds were stored, and thus possibly afterripened, before they were tested for germination. The 14 papers that tested fresh seeds were published between 1963 and 2010. Failure to test fresh seeds likely resulted in misinterpretation of the diaspore dispersal/dormancy strategy in some of the species investigated. We conclude that it is imperative that fresh seeds be tested for germination in order to be certain that the correct relationship between dispersal and dormancy is elucidated, and thus that the correct interpretation is made concerning life-history strategy and bet-hedging, in dimorphic species.
Increased ischaemia-modified albumin is associated with inflammation in acute rheumatic fever
Authors: Karataş Zehra , Baysal Tamer , Şap Fatih , Alp Hayrullah , Mehmetoğlu Idris 
Published: May 2013

AbstractIntroduction: Ischaemia-modified albumin, a novel biochemical marker for tissue ischaemia, was found to be associated with oxidative stress. The purpose of this study was to assess the role of ischaemia-modified albumin in the diagnosis of acute rheumatic fever and also to evaluate the ischaemia-modified albumin levels in children with heart valve disease. Methods: The study groups, aged 5–18 years, consisted of 128 individuals – 40 with acute rheumatic fever, 35 with congenital heart valve disease, 33 with chronic rheumatic heart disease, and 20 healthy control subjects. Results: The ischaemia-modified albumin, erythrocyte sedimentation rate, and C-reactive protein levels of the acute rheumatic fever group were significantly higher than those in the chronic rheumatic heart disease, congenital heart valve disease, and control groups, separately (p < 0.001). The ischaemia-modified albumin levels in both carditis and isolated arthritis subgroups of children with acute rheumatic fever were significantly higher than in the control group (p < 0.001, p < 0.01, respectively). However, there was no statistically significant difference between the chorea subgroup and control subjects. In addition, significant correlations were observed between ischaemia-modified albumin and acute phase reactants of patients with acute rheumatic fever (p < 0.001 for both erythrocyte sedimentation rate and C-reactive protein). The ischaemia-modified albumin levels of chronic rheumatic heart disease, congenital heart valve disease, and control subjects were similar. Conclusions: The increased level of ischaemia-modified albumin in children with acute rheumatic fever seems to be associated with inflammation. However, further studies are needed to provide stronger evidence.
Treatment of familial hypercholesterolaemia in children and adolescents in the last three decades
Authors: Elis Avishay , Zhou Rong , Stein Evan A. 
Published: May 2013

AbstractBackground:This study evaluated the effectiveness of long-term intensive lipid-lowering therapy in children and adolescents with familial hypercholesterolaemia.Methods:The charts of 89 children and adolescents with heterozygous familial hypercholesterolaemia among ∼1000 patients treated from 1974 to 2008 were reviewed. Familial hypercholesterolaemia was defined as low-density lipoprotein cholesterol level >90th percentile in individuals with a history of familial hypercholesterolaemia.Results:Of the 89 patients, 51% were male; the mean age at diagnosis was 8 ± 4 years, and the mean follow-up was 13 ± 8 years. Baseline and most recent low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels (mg/dl) under treatment were 250 ± 50 and 142 ± 49, respectively, reduced 43% from baseline (p < 0.0001). At the most recent visit, 39 patients received statin monotherapy, mainly atorvastatin or rosuvastatin, and 50 (56%) patients received combination therapy, mainly vytorin or rosuvastain/ezetimibe, 15 patients were >30 years of age, and none developed symptomatic cardiovascular disease or needed revascularisation.Conclusions:Long-term statin-based therapy can reduce low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels in most children and adolescents with heterozygous familial hypercholesterolaemia and decrease cardiovascular risk significantly.
The use of levosimendan in children with cancer with severe acute cardiac dysfunction: case series and a review of the literature
Authors: Tosoni Alvise , Dipchand Anne I. , Mohseni-Bod Hadi 
Published: May 2013

AbstractWe report the use of levosimendan in two febrile, neutropenic children with cancer – one post bone marrow transplant – with acute heart failure following chemotherapy. Initial management with epinephrine, milrinone, and diuresis was unsuccessful. Infusion of levosimendan without a loading dose was added to the ongoing heart failure therapy, which resulted in persistent symptomatic and echocardiographic improvement without major side effects.
Global Reuse and optimal waste policy
Authors: Yokoo Hide-Fumi , Kinnaman Thomas C. 
Published: May 2013

AbstractElectronic waste generated from the consumption of durable goods in developed countries is often exported to underdeveloped countries for reuse, recycling and disposal with unfortunate environmental consequences. The lack of efficient disposal policies within developing nations coupled with global free trade agreements make it difficult for consumers to internalize these costs. This paper develops a two-country model, one economically developed and the other underdeveloped, to solve for optimal tax policies necessary to achieve the efficient allocation of economic resources in an economy with a durable good available for global reuse without policy measures in the underdeveloped country. A tax in the developed country on purchases of the new durable good combined with a waste tax set below the domestic external cost of disposal is sufficient for global efficiency. The implication of allowing free global trade in electronic waste is also examined, where optimal policy resembles a global deposit-refund system.
Managing rainwater, improving livelihoods: assessing impacts using a Rainwater–Livelihoods–Poverty Index (RLPI)
Authors: Getnet Kindie , Kefyalew Geremew 
Published: May 2013

AbstractAssessing and empirically measuring the development impact of rainwater management innovations to inform related decisions remains conceptually and methodologically difficult. Whether it is empirically more appropriate to assess and measure the impact pathways than the impact per se remains an important methodological issue. This paper proposes a Rainwater–Livelihoods–Poverty Index (RLPI) as a comprehensive and participatory impact pathway assessment technique with measurable indicators recapitulating the sustainable livelihoods framework. The methodological contributions to rainwater impact assessment are two-fold. First, the RLPI explicitly incorporates intermediate processes and impact pathways as important factors affecting the development impacts of rainwater-related interventions. Second, the RLPI combines quantitative and qualitative household response data into a single yet meaningful quantitative impact indicator. This makes the methodology participatory, allowing farmers engagement to use their knowledge (as local expert observers) in informing rainwater management decisions. The methodology is empirically tested in Diga district (western Ethiopia) and validated using expert opinions.
Program sustainability and the determinants of farmers’ self-predicted post-program land use decisions: evidence from the Sloping Land Conversion Program (SLCP) in China
Authors: Yang Xiaojun , Xu Jintao 
Published: May 2013

AbstractIn this paper we evaluate the long-run sustainability of China's Sloping Land Conversion Program (SLCP) by investigating the determinants of farmers’ self-predicted post-program land use decisions. We use data from a household survey conducted in 2005, with a particular focus on a dependent variable that reflects farmers’ ordinal responses to a question about their probability of converting the enrolled lands back to cultivation after the program ends. First, we find that targeting the program on steeper sloped and lower quality plots can significantly decrease the probability of reconversion. Second, there is a significant and robust household income structure effect on the reconversion probability. Third, participating households with the right to decide what to plant on enrolled land have a higher probability of maintaining the reforested land after the program ends. Finally, subsidy shortfall has a positive influence on the probability of reconversion.