bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Humour experience in schizophrenia: relationship with executive dysfunction and psychosocial impairment
Authors: Tsoi D. T.-Y. , Lee K.-H. , Gee K. A. , Holden K. L. , Parks R. W. , Woodruff P. W. R. 
Published: January 2008

BackgroundThe ability to appreciate humour is essential to successful human interactions. In this study, we hypothesized that individuals with schizophrenia would have diminished ability to recognize and appreciate humour. The relationship between humour experience and clinical symptoms, cognitive and social functioning was examined.MethodThirty patients with a DSM-IV diagnosis of schizophrenia were compared with 30 age-, gender-, IQ- and ethnicity-matched healthy controls. Humour recognition was measured by identification of humorous moments in four silent slapstick comedy film clips and calculated as d-prime (d′) according to signal detection theory. Humour appreciation was measured by self-report mood state and funniness ratings. Patients were assessed for clinical symptoms, theory of mind ability, executive function [using the Wisconsin Card Sorting Test (WCST)] and social functioning [using the Life Skills Profile (LSP)].ResultsPatient and control groups did not differ in the funniness ratings they attributed to the video clips. Patients with schizophrenia had a lower d′ (humour) compared to the controls, after controlling for (1) the performance of a baseline recognition task with a non-humorous video clip and (2) severity of depressive symptoms. In patients, d′ (humour) had significant negative correlation with delusion and depression scores, the perseverative error score of the WCST and the total scores of the LSP.ConclusionsCompared with controls, patients with schizophrenia were less sensitive at detecting humour but similarly able to appreciate humour. The degree of humour recognition difficulty may be associated with the extent of executive dysfunction and thus contribute to the psychosocial impairment in patients with schizophrenia.
Risk factors for respiratory syncytial virus bronchiolitis hospital admission in New Zealand
Authors: GRIMWOOD K. , COHET C. , RICH F. J. , CHENG S. , WOOD C. , REDSHAW N. , CUNNINGHAM C. W. , PEARCE N. , KIRMAN J. R. 
Published: January 2008

SUMMARYThis study assessed risk factors for respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) hospitalization and disease severity in Wellington, New Zealand. During the southern hemisphere winter months of 2003–2005, 230 infants aged <24 months hospitalized with bronchiolitis were recruited. RSV was identified in 141 (61%) infants. Comparison with data from all live hospital births from the same region (2003–2005) revealed three independent risk factors for RSV hospitalization: birth between February and July [adjusted risk ratio (aRR) 1·62, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1·15–2·29], gestation <37 weeks (aRR 2·29, 95% CI 1·48–3·56) and Māori ethnicity (aRR 3·64, 95% CI 2·27–5·85) or Pacific ethnicity (aRR 3·60, 95% CI 2·14–6·06). The high risk for Māori and Pacific infants was only partially accounted for by other known risk factors. This work highlights the importance of RSV disease in indigenous and minority populations, and identifies the need for further research to develop public health measures that can reduce health disparities.
Estimating population status under conditions of uncertainty: the Ross seal in East Antarctica
Authors: Southwell Colin J. , Paxton Charles G.M. , Borchers David L. , Boveng Peter L. , Nordøy Erling S. , Blix Arnoldus Schytte , De La Mare William K. 
Published: January 2008

AbstractThe Ross seal (Ommatophoca rossii) is the least studied of the Antarctic ice-breeding phocids. In particular, estimating the population status of the Ross seal has proved extremely difficult. The Protocol on Environmental Protection to the Antarctic Treaty currently designates the Ross seal as a ‘Specially Protected Species’, contrasting with the IUCN's classification of ‘Least Concern’. As part of a review of the Ross seal's classification under the Protocol, a survey was undertaken in 1999/2000 to estimate the status of the Ross seal population in the pack ice off East Antarctica between 64–150°E. Shipboard and aerial sighting surveys were carried out along 9476 km of transect to estimate the density of Ross seals hauled out on the ice, and satellite dive recorders deployed on a sample of Ross seals to estimate the proportion of time spent on the ice. The survey design and analysis addressed the many sources of uncertainty in estimating the abundance of this species in an effort to provide a range of best and plausible estimates. Best estimates of abundance in the survey region ranged from 41 300–55 900 seals. Limits on plausible estimates ranged from 20 500 (lower 2.5 percentile) to 226 600 (upper 97.5 percentile).
Evaluating the language resources of chatbots for their potential in English as a second language
Authors: Coniam David 
Published: January 2008

AbstractThis paper investigates the linguistic worth of current ‘chatbot’ programs – software programs which attempt to hold a conversation, or interact, in English – as a precursor to their potential as an ESL (English as a second language) learning resource. After some initial background to the development of chatbots, and a discussion of the Loebner Prize Contest for the most ‘human’ chatbot (the ‘Turing Test’), the paper describes an in-depth study evaluating the linguistic accuracy of a number of chatbots available online. Since the ultimate purpose of the current study concerns chatbots' potential with ESL learners, the analysis of language embraces not only an examination of features of language from a native-speaker's perspective (the focus of the Turing Test), but also aspects of language from a second-language-user's perspective. Analyses indicate that while the winner of the 2005 Loebner Prize is the most able chatbot linguistically, it may not necessarily be the chatbot most suited to ESL learners. The paper concludes that while substantial progress has been made in terms of chatbots' language-handling, a robust ESL ‘conversation practice machine’ (Atwell, 1999) is still some way off being a reality.
diFiore's Atlas of Histology with Functional
Correlations Victor P. Eroschenko
Authors: Stadtländer Christian T. K.-H. 
Published: January 2008

diFiore's Atlas of Histology with Functional
Correlations. Victor P. Eroschenko. Lippincott Williams and Wilkins,
Philadelphia, PA; 10th edition, 2005, 448 pages (Softbound and Software CD
(interactive), $57.95), ISBN 0-7817-5021-0Histology (or microscopic anatomy) is an important discipline of the
biological sciences that is concerned with the structure of tissues of
organisms. Light microscopy and electron microscopy in conjunction with
various histochemical and immunocytochemical staining techniques are
typically used today by histologists to visualize, describe, and identify
tissues. Histology is a fundamental discipline in the curriculum for
medical, dental, and veterinary students as well as for allied health
students and scholars interested in the field of biomedical research. All
these students need to have a thorough knowledge of the structure and
function of cells, tissues, and organs. Recently, I came across a
histology book (diFiore's Atlas of Histology) that I believe
is worth the investment. This book provides a selection of high-quality,
full-color illustrations of various tissues of the human body and is
supplemented with sections of structural/functional correlations. This
10th edition is unique in that it includes a CD that contains an
interactive electronic version of the histology atlas.
Three stages of the origin of life process: bifurcation, stabilization and inversion
Authors: Kompanichenko V.N. 
Published: January 2008

AbstractThe principal succession of transformations of a prebiotic microsystem leading to its transition into the primary living state is theoretically substantiated. For the first stage of the succession, a significant change in the external conditions constrains an organic microsystem to leave the current stable state with the following transition into a new stable state through the unstable critical (bifurcation) point. At the bifurcation point the microsystem acquires the original properties without which life cannot exist (self-maintaining heterogeneous structure, incessant fluctuations and rearrangement of molecules, exchange with the surroundings by matter and energy, etc.). During the second stage its unstable state stabilizes relatively by means of the balanced oscillations around the bifurcation point (the paradoxical state of ‘stabilized instability’ appears). The third stage is characterized with the radical turn in the network of chemical reactions: the free energy contribution begins to prevail over the entropy contribution. As a result, constructive transformations proceed faster than destructive transformations. At this stage the key properties of biological organization appear: the ability to concentrate free energy and information, intensified counteraction to external influences, expedient behaviour and persistent self-renovation. On the early Earth, such successive transformation of organic matter occurred in the changeable conditions of a hydrothermal medium. Some new methods for experimental and theoretical research in the origin of life field are suggested.
Science eclipses politics during 2006 U.S. eclipse expedition to Libya
Authors: St. Cyr O.C. , Davila Joseph M. , Guhathakurta Madhulika , Senseney Robert S. 
Published: January 2008

A total eclipse of the Sun is one of the most spectacular phenomena of nature, and it provides a unique venue to gather valuable measurements of the Sun's corona that cannot otherwise be obtained. Since the time of the first American expedition to observe the 1780 eclipse during the American Revolutionary War—with the British granting the observation vessel safe passage to Maine's Penobscot Bay—the U.S. government has had a history of supporting scientific expeditions to remote eclipse sites under difficult conditions. A recent expedition to Libya to observe and study the 29 March 2006 eclipse continues that tradition.The Libyan government invited NASA scientists as well as other international researchers to a conference held along the line of totality deep in the Sahara desert. This article describes activities undertaken by NASA and the U.S. State Department associated with the eclipse expedition.
Digital library for computational seismology
Authors: Gallovic Frantisek , Barsch Robert , De La Puente Alvarez Josep , Igel Heiner 
Published: January 2008

Computational methodologies play an increasingly important role in Earth sciences. However, Earth science curricula in general often do not equip scientists with the necessary background in mathematical and computational aspects of the rapidly expanding field of simulation technology.This lack of preparation applies in particular to the field of computational seismology. Despite the fact that the same numerical methodologies (e.g., finite differences, finite/spectral elements) are used in various domains (e.g., exploration seismics, volcanology, global seismology, earthquake physics), there often has been little interaction and exchange of experiences among researchers working in these different domains.
Comment on “Will the magnetic North Pole move to Siberia?”
Authors: Newitt Lawrence R. , Chulliat Arnaud 
Published: January 2008

In a recent Eos article, Olsen and Mandea [2007] commented on the rapid motion of the north magnetic pole (NMP) and the ability of recent magnetic field models based on satellite data to give accurate positions for the magnetic poles. The most recent local survey to determine the position of the NMP, carried out in April 2007, confirms their observations concerning the movement of the NMP and supports their thesis that reference field models can now accurately locate the magnetic poles.We were able to observe at four locations all within approximately 100 kilometers of the estimated pole position. This small sample, plus one observation made in 2005, is sufficient to reveal that the position of the NMP on 29 April 2007 was 83.95°N, 121.02°W, with a positional uncertainty of approximately 40 kilometers (L.R. Newitt et al., manuscript in preparation, 2007). This is in close agreement with positions derived from recent spherical harmonic models that are based on satellite magnetic data. For example, the NMP position derived from the CHAOS model is within 35 kilometers of the observed position.
Novel molecules for intra-oral delivery of antimicrobials to prevent and treat oral infectious diseases
Authors: Raj Periathamby Antony , Rajkumar Latha , Dentino Andrew R. 
Published: January 2008

New molecules were designed for efficient intra-oral delivery of antimicrobials to prevent and treat oral infection. The salivary statherin fragment, which has high affinity for the tooth enamel, was used as a carrier peptide. This was linked through the side chain of the N-terminal residue to the C-terminus of a defensin-like 12-residue peptide to generate two bifunctional hybrid molecules, one with an ester linkage and the other with an anhydride bond between the carrier and the antimicrobial components. They were examined for their affinity to a HAP (hydroxyapatite) surface. The extent of the antimicrobial release in human whole saliva was determined using 13C-NMR spectroscopy. The candidacidal activity of the molecules was determined as a function of the antimicrobial release from the carrier peptide in human saliva. The hybrid-adsorbed HAP surface was examined against Candida albicans and Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans using the fluorescence technique. The bifunctional molecules were tested on human erythrocytes, GECs (gingival epithelial cells) and GFCs (gingival fibroblast cells) for cytotoxicity. They were found to possess high affinity for the HAP mineral. In human whole saliva, a sustained antimicrobial release over a period of more than 40–60 h, and candidacidal activity consistent with the extent of hybrid dissociation were observed. Moreover, the bifunctional peptide-bound HAP surface was found to exhibit antimicrobial activity when suspended in clarified human saliva. The hybrid peptides did not show any toxic influence on human erythrocytes, GECs and GFCs. These novel hybrids could be safely used to deliver therapeutic agents intra-orally for the treatment and prevention of oral infectious diseases.
Comparing phonological skills and spelling abilities in children with reading and language impairments
Authors: Larkin Rebecca F. , Snowling Margaret J. 
Published: January 2008

Background: Bishop and Snowling (2004) proposed that children with language impairments (LI) and children with reading difficulties (RD) can be considered to be on a (phonological) continuum of risk for reading impairments.Aims: The first aim of the present study was to address two specific hypotheses about the relationship between RD and LI. The severity hypothesis proposes that LI is a more severe form of RD. In contrast, the dyslexia‐plus hypothesis proposes that children with LI share the same phonological deficit as children with RD, but also have impairments in non‐phonological language skills. The second aim of the study was to further our understanding of the spelling skills of children with LI.Methods & Procedures: Twenty‐three children with primary language impairments (LI) and 22 children with primary reading impairments (RD) matched on chronological and reading age were compared with typically developing children. The children's performance on tests of phoneme deletion, phonological memory, and spelling accuracy and phonetic spelling was compared.Outcomes & Results: Children with LI showed poorer phonological memory performance than children with RD and age controls, whereas both clinical groups performed significantly worse than the age controls on the phoneme deletion task and comparably to reading‐age controls. Children with LI and RD were impaired for their age at phonetic spelling, the children with LI showing the more severe impairment. Further exploration of the data identified two different profiles among children with LI; some of these children had poorer phonological skills than predicted from receptive vocabulary, supporting the severity hypothesis. The other group showed a profile with concurrent impairments in vocabulary and phonological skills, in line with the dyslexia‐plus hypothesis.Conclusions: The findings suggest that a subgroup of children with LI may be experiencing a severe form of dyslexia. The results further suggest that children with LI have difficulty producing phonologically plausible spellings.
Natural similarity measures between position frequency matrices with an application to clustering
Authors: Pape Utz J. , Rahmann Sven , Vingron Martin 
Published: January 2008

Abstract
Motivation: Transcription factors (TFs) play a key role in gene regulation by binding to target sequences. In silico prediction of potential binding of a TF to a binding site is a well-studied problem in computational biology. The binding sites for one TF are represented by a position frequency matrix (PFM). The discovery of new PFMs requires the comparison to known PFMs to avoid redundancies. In general, two PFMs are similar if they occur at overlapping positions under a null model. Still, most existing methods compute similarity according to probabilistic distances of the PFMs. Here we propose a natural similarity measure based on the asymptotic covariance between the number of PFM hits incorporating both strands. Furthermore, we introduce a second measure based on the same idea to cluster a set of the Jaspar PFMs.
Results: We show that the asymptotic covariance can be efficiently computed by a two dimensional convolution of the score distributions. The asymptotic covariance approach shows strong correlation with simulated data. It outperforms three alternative methods. The Jaspar clustering yields distinct groups of TFs of the same class. Furthermore, a representative PFM is given for each class. In contrast to most other clustering methods, PFMs with low similarity automatically remain singletons.
Availability: A website to compute the similarity and to perform clustering, the source code and Supplementary Material are available at http://mosta.molgen.mpg.de
Contact: utz.pape@molgen.mpg.de
Supplementary information: Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
PRALINE™: a strategy for improved multiple alignment of transmembrane proteins
Authors: Pirovano Walter , Feenstra K. Anton , Heringa Jaap 
Published: January 2008

Abstract
Motivation: Membrane-bound proteins are a special class of proteins. The regions that insert into the cell-membrane have a profoundly different hydrophobicity pattern compared with soluble proteins. Multiple alignment techniques use scoring schemes tailored for sequences of soluble proteins and are therefore in principle not optimal to align membrane-bound proteins.
Results: Transmembrane (TM) regions in protein sequences can be reliably recognized using state-of-the-art sequence prediction techniques. Furthermore, membrane-specific scoring matrices are available. We have developed a new alignment method, called PRALINE™, which integrates these two features to enhance multiple sequence alignment. We tested our algorithm on the TM alignment benchmark set by Bahr et al. (2001), and showed that the quality of TM alignments can be significantly improved compared with the quality produced by a standard multiple alignment technique. The results clearly indicate that the incorporation of these new elements into current state-of-the-art alignment methods is crucial for optimizing the alignment of TM proteins.
Availability: A webserver is available at http://www.ibi.vu.nl/programs/pralinewww.
Contact: heringa@cs.vu.nl
Human Papillomavirus (HPV) in Atypical Squamous Cervical Cytology: the Invader HPV Test as a New Screening Assay
Authors: Wong Anna K. , Chan Raymond C.-K. , Nichols W. Stephen , Bose Shikha 
Published: January 2008

ABSTRACT
In surveillance for cervical neoplasia, a diagnosis of cytologically atypical squamous cells of undetermined significance (ASCUS) presents a significant clinical issue, often dependent on testing for high-risk (HR) human papillomavirus (HPV) for the triage of patients. HPV type 16 now appears to be a critical concern in the follow-up of patients with ASCUS. The Invader HPV (Inv2) test, by Third Wave Technologies, Inc., is a recently developed analyte-specific reagent assay that uses probe sets for the detection of 14 HR HPV subtypes. These probe sets are A5/A6 (HPV types 51, 56, and 66), A7 (HPV types 18, 39, 45, 59, and 68), and A9 (HPV types 16, 31, 33, 35, 52, and 58). This report describes the performance characteristics of the Inv2 test in the screening of ASCUS cervical cytology specimens and correlates the results of the Inv2 test with those of the Hybrid Capture II HPV (HC2) test by Digene. The linear array HPV genotyping test (Roche Molecular Systems) was used as a reference method for the testing of samples with discordant results. Ninety-four Pap smear samples with a cytological diagnosis of ASCUS and 39 samples with a negative diagnosis were tested. The results of the Inv2 test demonstrated a good (86.6%) concordance with those of the HC2 test, with an overall sensitivity and specificity of 96% for the Inv2 test. Additionally, the Inv2 assay, which offers high-throughput, semiautomated DNA extraction, allows the subgrouping of HPV types by differential probe sets, could provide a useful test for screening for HPV, and has the potential to provide an improved means of risk stratification and the selection of patients for further HPV subtyping.
Comparison of a Lateral-Flow Immunochromatography Assay with Real-Time Reverse Transcription-PCR for Detection of Human Metapneumovirus
Authors: Kikuta Hideaki , Sakata Chikako , Gamo Reiko , Ishizaka Akihito , Koga Yasutsugu , Konno Mutsuko , Ogasawara Yoshinori , Sawada Hiroyuki , Taguchi Yuichi , Takahashi Yutaka , Yasuda Kazue , Ishiguro Nobuhisa , Hayashi Akio , Ishiko Hiroaki , Kobayashi Kunihiko 
Published: January 2008

ABSTRACT
A lateral-flow immunochromatography (IC) assay for the detection of human metapneumovirus (hMPV) has been developed by using two mouse monoclonal antibodies to the nucleocapsid protein of hMPV. The purpose of this study was to compare the virus detection rate in nasopharyngeal secretions by the IC assay with that by real-time reverse transcription-PCR (RT-PCR). We collected nasopharyngeal swab samples from 247 children with respiratory symptoms in Sapporo, Japan, during the period from April to July 2007. Sixty-eight of the 247 children were positive for hMPV by real-time RT-PCR. When the real-time RT-PCR was used as the reference standard, the IC assay results were positive for 48 of the 68 real-time RT-PCR-positive children (70.6% sensitivity) and 8 of the 179 real-time RT-PCR-negative children (95.5% specificity). Although the sensitivity of the IC assay is lower than that of real-time RT-PCR, the IC assay is a rapid and useful test for the diagnosis of hMPV infections in children.