bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Studying development in the 21stCentury
Authors: Thomas Michael S. C. , Westermann Gert , Mareschal Denis , Johnson Mark H. , Sirois Sylvain , Spratling Michael 
Published: June 2008

AbstractIn this response, we consider four main issues arising from the commentaries to the target article. These include further details of the theory of interactive specialization, the relationship between neuroconstructivism and selectionism, the implications of neuroconstructivism for the notion of representation, and the role of genetics in theories of development. We conclude by stressing the importance of multidisciplinary approaches in the future study of cognitive development and by identifying the directions in which neuroconstructivism can expand in the Twenty-first Century.
Psychosis and autism as diametrical disorders of the social brain
Authors: Crespi Bernard , Badcock Christopher 
Published: June 2008

AbstractAutistic-spectrum conditions and psychotic-spectrum conditions (mainly schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and major depression) represent two major suites of disorders of human cognition, affect, and behavior that involve altered development and function of the social brain. We describe evidence that a large set of phenotypic traits exhibit diametrically opposite phenotypes in autistic-spectrum versus psychotic-spectrum conditions, with a focus on schizophrenia. This suite of traits is inter-correlated, in that autism involves a general pattern of constrained overgrowth, whereas schizophrenia involves undergrowth. These disorders also exhibit diametric patterns for traits related to social brain development, including aspects of gaze, agency, social cognition, local versus global processing, language, and behavior. Social cognition is thus underdeveloped in autistic-spectrum conditions and hyper-developed on the psychotic spectrum.;>We propose and evaluate a novel hypothesis that may help to explain these diametric phenotypes: that the development of these two sets of conditions is mediated in part by alterations of genomic imprinting. Evidence regarding the genetic, physiological, neurological, and psychological underpinnings of psychotic-spectrum conditions supports the hypothesis that the etiologies of these conditions involve biases towards increased relative effects from imprinted genes with maternal expression, which engender a general pattern of undergrowth. By contrast, autistic-spectrum conditions appear to involve increased relative bias towards effects of paternally expressed genes, which mediate overgrowth. This hypothesis provides a simple yet comprehensive theory, grounded in evolutionary biology and genetics, for understanding the causes and phenotypes of autistic-spectrum and psychotic-spectrum conditions.
The “mechanism” of human cognitive variation
Authors: Belmonte Matthew K. 
Published: June 2008

AbstractThe theory of psychosis and autism as diametrical disorders offers a tractable and testable view of normal and abnormal human cognitive variation as a function of opposing traits grouped by their selection for maternal and paternal reproductive fitness. The theory could be usefully rooted and developed with reference to the lower-level perceptual and attentional phenomena from which social cognitive modules are developmentally refined.
Genomic imprinting and disorders of the social brain; shades of grey rather than black and white
Authors: Davies William , Isles Anthony R. 
Published: June 2008

AbstractCrespi & Badcock (C&B) provide a novel hypothesis outlining a role for imprinted genes in mediating brain functions underlying social behaviours. The basic premise is that maternally expressed genes are predicted to promote hypermentalistic behaviours, and paternally expressed genes hypomentalistic behaviours. The authors provide a detailed overview of data supporting their ideas, but as we discuss, caution should be applied in interpreting these data.
Is this conjectural phenotypic dichotomy a plausible outcome of genomic imprinting?
Authors: Dickins Benjamin James Alexander , Dickins David William , Dickins Thomas Edmund 
Published: June 2008

AbstractWhat is the status of the dichotomy proposed and the nosological validity of the contrasting pathologies described in the target article? How plausibly can dysregulated imprinting explain the array of features described, compared with other genetic models? We believe that considering alternative models is more likely to lead in the long term to the correct classification and explanation of the component behaviours.
Are schizophrenics more religious? Do they have more daughters?
Authors: Kanazawa Satoshi 
Published: June 2008

AbstractCombined with recent evolutionary psychological theories, Crespi & Badcock's (C&B's) intragenomic conflict theory of the social brain suggests that schizophrenics are more religious, and autistics are less religious, than the normal population. Combined with the generalized Trivers-Willard hypothesis (gTWH), it suggests that schizophrenics have more daughters, and autistics have more sons, than expected.
Why is creativity attractive in a potential mate?
Authors: Nettle Daniel 
Published: June 2008

AbstractA number of studies suggest that women find artistically creative men attractive, especially in the short-term mating context. Artistic creativity (but not mathematical or technical creativity) is linked to psychosis-proneness. I hypothesise that in preferring artistically creative men, women may be choosing paternal genotypes that make babies that are not excessively somatically demanding on them.
Cortical plasticity: A proposed mechanism by which genomic factors lead to the behavioral and neurological phenotype of autism spectrum and psychotic-spectrum disorders
Authors: Oberman Lindsay M. , Pascual-Leone Alvaro 
Published: June 2008

AbstractCrespi & Badcock (C&B) hypothesize that biases toward expression of paternally or maternally imprinted genes lead to the symptoms of autism spectrum disorders (ASD) and psychotic-spectrum disorders (PSD), respectively. We suggest that such genetic risk factors may act by inducing abnormalities in developmental and learning-related plasticity. We provide preliminary evidence of abnormal plasticity in ASD and suggest transcranial magnetic stimulation as a useful tool to investigate as well as influence cortical plasticity.
Psychiatric disorders and the social brain: Distinguishing mentalizing and empathizing
Authors: Troisi Alfonso 
Published: June 2008

AbstractSocial cognition is a broad term, incorporating all aspects of social functioning from perceiving emotional stimuli to attributional style and theory of mind. Not distinguishing between these different capacities may confound the interpretation of the data deriving from studies of the relationship between psychiatric disorders and the social brain. The distinction between cognitive and affective components of social cognition is clearly exemplified by the abnormalities observed in psychopathy and Williams syndrome.
Digit ratio (2D:4D) as a marker for mental disorders: Low (masculinized) 2D:4D in autism-spectrum disorders, high (feminized) 2D:4D in schizophrenic-spectrum disorders
Authors: Voracek Martin 
Published: June 2008

AbstractAugmenting and supplementing the arguments of Crespi & Badcock (C&B), I show that digit ratio (2D:4D), a putative marker of prenatal androgen action, indeed appears differentially altered in autism-spectrum disorders (lower/masculinized) versus schizophrenic-spectrum disorders (higher/feminized). Consistent with C&B's framework, some evidence (substantial heritability, assortative mating, sex-specific familial transmission) points to possible sex chromosome and imprinted genes effects on 2D:4D expression.
The evolutionary social brain: From genes to psychiatric conditions
Authors: Crespi Bernard , Badcock Christopher 
Published: June 2008

AbstractThe commentaries on our target article, “Psychosis and Autism as Diametrical Disorders of the Social Brain,” reflect the multidisciplinary yet highly fragmented state of current studies of human social cognition. Progress in our understanding of the human social brain must come from studies that integrate across diverse analytic levels, using conceptual frameworks grounded in evolutionary biology.
Optimal Hatch Filter with an Adaptive Smoothing Window Width
Authors: Park Byungwoon , Sohn Kyoungho , Kee Changdon 
Published: June 2008

The Hatch filter is a code-smoothing technique using integrated carrier phase observations. It is an easy technique that non-experts can use to reduce receiver noise on the pseudorange. This paper suggests a new algorithm for the optimal Hatch filter whose smoothing window width varies adaptively depending on the regional, diurnal and seasonal ionospheric variation and satellite elevation angle. We consider both quiet and storm conditions of the ionosphere. Using the well-known quiet ionospheric model, a conservative boundary value for ionospheric storm and the receiver noise statistics function of the satellite elevation angle, this algorithm can mathematically solve the optimal averaging constant for each satellite in every epoch. From a 24 hr data process result and real-time experiment, we found that the position accuracy of the optimal Hatch filter is better and more robust than that of the traditional Hatch filter. The optimal Hatch filter algorithm and its results are expected to provide a new solution for a single-frequency DGPS receiver and a thorough understanding of the relationship between the position error and the averaging constant. Furthermore, a DGPS user who applies this algorithm to a low-cost single-frequency receiver can obtain a more accurate and robust position result than via the classical Hatch filter.
Vector Solutions for Azimuth
Authors: Earle Michael A. 
Published: June 2008

Vector based methods applied to navigational problems offer some advantages in the calculation of distance and azimuth. In this paper, the methods of vector analysis are used to develop a variety of expressions for azimuth that are suited to both the syntax of computer algorithms and commercial mathematical software. The solutions presented here do not require recourse to the rules of spherical trigonometry - a distinct advantage when dealing with the spheroid. In the process of preparing this paper, an error of principle that occurred in a previous work was revealed and is repaired here.
Alteration in ultrastructural morphology of bovine embryos following subzonal microinjection of bovine viral diarrhea virus (BVDV)
Authors: Kubovičová E. , Makarevich A. V. , Pivko J. , Chrenek P. , Grafenau P. , Ríha L'. , Sirotkin A. V. , Louda F. 
Published: June 2008

SummaryThe aim of the present study was to evaluate the development and ultrastructure of preimplantation bovine embryos that were exposed to bovine viral diarrhea virus (BVDV) in vitro.The embryos were recovered from superovulated and fertilized Holstein-Friesian donor cows on day 6 of the estrous cycle. Compact morulae were microinjected with 20 pl of BVDV suspension (105.16 TCID50/ml viral stock diluted 1:4) under the zona pellucida (ZP), then washed in SOF medium and cultured for 24–48 h. Embryos were evaluated for developmental stages and then processed immunocytochemically for the presence of viral particles, using fluorescent anti-BVDV–FITC conjugate. Ultrastructure of cellular organelles was analysed by transmission electron microscopy (TEM).After microinjection of BVDV under the ZP, significantly more (p < 0.001) embryos (83.33%) were arrested at the morula stage compared with the intact control (30.33%). Immunocytochemical analysis localized the BVDV–FITC signal inside the microinjected embryos. TEM revealed: (i) the presence of virus-like particles in the dilated endoplasmic reticulum and in cytoplasmic vacuoles of the trophoblast and embryoblast cells; (ii) the loss of microarchitecture: and (iii) abnormal disintegrated nuclei, which lacked reticular structure and the heterochromatin area. In all, the embryo nuclear structure was altered and the microarchitecture of the nucleolus had disappeared when compared with the nuclei from control embryos. Dilatation of the intercellular space and the loss of the intercellular gap junctions were often observed in bovine BVDV-exposed embryos.These findings provide evidence for the adverse effect of BVDV virus on the development of bovine embryos, which is related to irreversible changes in the ultrastructure of cell organelles.
In vitro fertilization in inbred BALB/c mice I: isotonic osmolarity and increased calcium-enhanced sperm penetration through the zona pellucida and male pronuclear formation
Authors: Kito Seiji , Ohta Yuki 
Published: June 2008

SummaryTo optimize IVF conditions for BALB/c mice, which are known to have poor in vitro fertilizability, the requirements for sperm–ova interaction were studied by use of modified simplex optimization medium (mKSOM) as a basic medium. Modified human tubal fluid (mHTF) was used for sperm preincubation and acted as a positive control. When the two media were compared, neither capacitation nor fertilization was supported in mKSOM. Increasing the calcium concentration in mKSOM to 5 mM or more during sperm: ova coincubation improved zona penetration but not male pronuclear (MPN) formation to the same level as those cells incubated in mHTF. When medium osmolarity was varied from 230–305 mOsmol by NaCl at 5 mM CaCl2, MPN formation improved at 280 mOsmol or higher osmolarity to the same level as that found when using mHTF. When NaCl equivalent to 25–75 mOsmol was substituted with trehalose, no significant reduction in fertilization was observed. Substitution of NaCl equivalent to 75 mOsmol with other osmotic reagents (sucrose, choline chloride and sorbitol) resulted in similar levels of fertilization as found with mHTF, except for sorbitol, which reduced fertilization significantly caused by its detrimental effect on sperm viability. At isotonic osmolarity (305 mOsmol), maximum fertilization was observed at 5 mM CaCl2; lower or higher concentrations of CaCl2 resulted in reduced fertilization. Calcium and osmolarity, therefore, are important for sperm : ova interaction in BALB/c mice and the increases in calcium to 5 mM and osmolarity to 305 mOsmol are optimal for BALB/c sperm to penetrate through the zona and to form MPN.
Effect of volume of oocyte cytoplasm on embryo development after parthenogenetic activation, intracytoplasmic sperm injection, or somatic cell nuclear transfer
Authors: Sayaka Wakayama , Satoshi Kishigami , Van Thuan Nguyen , Hiroshi Ohta , Takafusa Hikichi , Eiji Mizutani , Thuy Bui Hong , Masashi Miyake , Teruhiko Wakayama 
Published: June 2008

SummaryAnimal cloning methods are now well described and are becoming routine. Yet, the frequency at which live cloned offspring are produced remains below 5%, irrespective of the nuclear donor species or cell type. One possible explanation is that the reprogramming factor(s) of each oocyte is insufficient or not properly adapted for the receipt of a somatic cell nucleus, because it is naturally prepared only for the receipt of a gamete. Here, we have increased the oocyte volume by oocyte fusion and examined its subsequent development. We constructed oocytes with volumes two to nine times greater than the normal volume by the electrofusion or mechanical fusion of intact and enucleated oocytes. We examined their in vitro and in vivo developmental potential after parthenogenetic activation, intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) and somatic cell nuclear transfer (SCNT). When the fused oocytes were activated parthenogenetically, most developed to morulae or blastocysts, regardless of their original size. Diploid fused oocytes were fertilized by ICSI and developed normally and after embryo transfer, we obtained 12 (4–15%) healthy and fertile offspring. However, enucleated fused oocytes could not support the development of mice cloned by SCNT. These results suggest that double fused oocytes have normal potential for development after fertilization, but oocytes with extra cytoplasm do not have enhanced reprogramming potential.
Presence and distribution of E-cadherin in the 4-cell golden hamster embryo. Effect of maternal age and parity
Authors: Trejo A. , Ambriz D. , Navarro-Maldonado M. C. , Mercado E. , Rosado A. 
Published: June 2008

SummaryMaternal age dependency of gestation time in hamster and in other mammals is a well demonstrated fact. We have recently shown that adult nulliparous and multiparous hamster females show significant asynchrony and retard on early embryo development (from two blastomeres to morula stages) when compared with nulliparous young females. The number of cell–cell adhesions between blastomeres in early embryo development has been reported to be a good indication of the ability of embryos to cleave and develop. In this work we studied, by indirect immunofluorescence, the presence and distribution of E-cadherin in 4-cell embryos obtained from nulliparous young (NYF), nulliparous adult (NAF) and multiparous adult (MAF) hamster females. Distribution and intensity of fluorescence was observed and registered using confocal microscopy. Staining intensities for E-cadherin were quantified by computed densitometry in the free membrane regions, in the cytoplasm region and in the cell–cell adhesion zones of each embryo. E-Cadherin in all the studied zones was significantly higher (p< 0.01) in NYF. Cadherin concentration in the intercellular membranes was always statistically higher (p< 0.05) than in the free membrane regions. An appreciable concentration of E-cadherin was found in the cytoplasm of the 4-cell embryos obtained from the three groups of females, but was significantly higher in NYF. No statistical differences were observed in any of the parameters studied between NAF and MAF. Our results seem to indicate that changes in the reproductive behavior related to age and/or multiparity may be correlated with changes in the processes related to intercellular adhesions during early cleavage.
Early oocyte penetration can predict the efficiency of bovine embryo production in vitro
Authors: Machatkova M. , Horakova J. , Hulinska P. , Reckova Z. , Hanzalova K. 
Published: June 2008

SummaryThe aim of this work was to characterize oocyte fertilization and embryo cleavage in nine AI bulls to find parameters suitable for prediction of in vitro fertility. According to the d8 blastocysts rate, they were categorized as high, medium and low productive (HP, MP and LP, mean: 25.4, 21.0 and 13.6% respectively) bulls. For these categories, oocyte penetration and fertilization efficiency were assessed at 6 and 18 hours post insemination (hpi), respectively. Some presumptive zygotes were cultured and cleaved and fast-cleaved embryo rates were checked at 44 hpi. The penetration rate was significantly higher for HP bulls than for MP and LP bulls (67.9 versus 50.3 and 33.1%; p < 0.01). The syngamy rate was significantly higher for HP bulls than for MP and LP bulls (21.4 versus 10.2 and 5.7%; p < 0.05). Conversely, no significant differences in fertilization rates were found among HP, MP and LP bulls. The cleavage rate was significantly higher for HP than LP bulls (82.4 versus 74.4%; p < 0.01). The fast cleavage rate was significantly higher for both HP and MP bulls, as compared with LP bulls (82.1 and 84.7 versus 73.5%; p < 0.01). A strong correlation was found between blastocyst production and penetration (r = 0.803), syngamy (r = 0.826), cleavage (r = 0.635) and fast cleavage (r = 0.709). In conclusion, all the evaluated parameters showed a predictive value, the most significant being early penetration and syngamy.
Genomic patterns of recombination, clonal divergence and environment in marine microbial populations
Authors: Konstantinidis Konstantinos T , DeLong Edward F 
Published: June 2008

Abstract
Microorganisms represent the largest reservoir of biodiversity on Earth, both in numbers and total genetic diversity, but it remains unclear whether this biodiversity is organized in discrete units that correspond to ecologically coherent species. To further explore this question, we examined patterns of genomic diversity in sympatric microbial populations. Analyses of a total of ∼200 Mb of microbial community genomic DNA sequence recovered from 4000 m depth in the Pacific Ocean revealed discrete sequence-defined populations of Bacteria and Archaea, with intrapopulation genomic sequence divergence ranging from ∼1% to ∼6%. The populations appeared to be maintained, at least in part, by intrapopulation genetic exchange (homologous recombination), although the frequency of recombination was estimated to be about three times lower than that observed previously in thermoacidophilic archaeal biofilm populations. Furthermore, the genotypes of a given population were clearly distinguishable from their closest co-occurring relatives based on their relative abundance in situ. The genetic distinctiveness and the matching sympatric abundances imply that these genotypes share similar ecophysiological properties, and therefore may represent fundamental units of microbial diversity in the deep sea. Comparisons to surface-dwelling relatives of the Sargasso Sea revealed that distinct sequence-based clusters were not always detectable, presumably due to environmental variations, further underscoring the important relationship between environmental contexts and genetic mechanisms, which together shape and sustain microbial population structure.
Does a Spin–Orbit Coupling Between the Sun and the Jovian Planets Govern the Solar Cycle?
Authors: Wilson I. R. G. , Carter B. D. , Waite I. A. 
Published: June 2008

AbstractWe present evidence to show that changes in the Sun's equatorial rotation rate are synchronized with changes in its orbital motion about the barycentre of the Solar System. We propose that this synchronization is indicative of a spin–orbit coupling mechanism operating between the Jovian planets and the Sun. However, we are unable to suggest a plausible underlying physical cause for the coupling. Some researchers have proposed that it is the period of the meridional flow in the convective zone of the Sun that controls both the duration and strength of the Solar cycle. We postulate that the overall period of the meridional flow is set by the level of disruption to the flow that is caused by changes in Sun's equatorial rotation speed. Based on our claim that changes in the Sun's equatorial rotation rate are synchronized with changes in the Sun's orbital motion about the barycentre, we propose that the mean period for the Sun's meridional flow is set by a Synodic resonance between the flow period (∼22.3 yr), the overall 178.7-yr repetition period for the solar orbital motion, and the 19.86-yr synodic period of Jupiter and Saturn.
Intrinsic disorder prediction from the analysis of multiple protein fold recognition models
Authors: McGuffin Liam J. 
Published: June 2008

Abstract
Motivation: Intrinsic protein disorder is functionally implicated in numerous biological roles and is, therefore, ubiquitous in proteins from all three kingdoms of life. Determining the disordered regions in proteins presents a challenge for experimental methods and so recently there has been much focus on the development of improved predictive methods. In this article, a novel technique for disorder prediction, called DISOclust, is described, which is based on the analysis of multiple protein fold recognition models. The DISOclust method is rigorously benchmarked against the top five methods from the CASP7 experiment. In addition, the optimal consensus of the tested methods is determined and the added value from each method is quantified.
Results: The DISOclust method is shown to add the most value to a simple consensus of methods, even in the absence of target sequence homology to known structures. A simple consensus of methods that includes DISOclust can significantly outperform all of the previous individual methods tested.
Availability: http://www.reading.ac.uk/bioinf/DISOclust/
Contact: l.j.mcguf.n@reading.ac.uk
Supplementary information: Supplementary data are available at http://www.reading.ac.uk/bioinf/DISOclust/suppl.pdf