bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Ultrastructure of the tegument of the metacercaria of Timoniella imbutiforme
Authors: El-Darsh H.E.M. , Whitfield P.J. 
Published: April 2024

AbstractThe spinous body tegument of the metacercaria of Timoniella imbutiforme (Molin, 1859) is described in detail and found to comprise an outer tegumental syncytium connected to subjacently situated subtegumentary ‘cells’. There are four types of secretory bodies in the outer syncytial layer as well as serrated overlapping spines and mitochondria. The subtegumentary ‘cells’ are characterized by the presence of four secretory body types as well as giant bodies which may be involved in the elaboration of the secretory bodies or spine material. The normal configuration of the somatic muscles of T. imbutiforme show that the muscular machinery necessary for activity once the larval stage becomes excysted is already in place. The sensory endings are found to be of the uniciliate type occurring in groups of up to eight in raised domes distributed over the body. Secretory gland cells are numerous and possess long ducts connected to the basal lamina of the outer syncytial layer via septate desmosomes.
Morphogenesis and distribution of Trichostrongylus retortaeformis in the intestine of the rabbit
Authors: Audebert F. , Cassone J. , Hoste H. , Durette-Desset M.C. 
Published: April 2024

AbstractThe morphogenesis and the distribution along the digestive tract of Trichostrongylus retortaeformis(Zeder, 1800) (Nematoda) were studied in detail in one of its natural hosts, Oryctolagus cuniculus. Worm-free rabbits were each infected with T. retortaeformis larvae and were killed at 12 h post-infection (HPI) and on each day from 1 to 15 days post-infection (DPI). The distribution of worm populations along the small intestine was assessed. At the different dates of infection, more than 80% of the population was recovered from the first third of the intestine with more than 50% occuring in the first 30 cm. For each date, morphological descriptions of the different stages of the life cycle were also provided. In addition, adult worms collected from naturally infected rabbits from France were redescribed.
Acquired resistance in rainbow trout against Gyrodactylus derjavini
Authors: Lindenstrøm T. , Buchmann K. 
Published: April 2024

AbstractInvestigations were conducted on the host response in rainbow trout and the associated changes in mucous cell density during infection with the skin monogenean Gyrodactylus derjavini. Parasite populations increased on all naive hosts and peaked 4–5 weeks p.i. after which infection levels decreased. Introduction of naive fish into responding host populations resulted in heavy infections of the naive fish, whereas parasite expulsion continued in the responding host groups showing an acquired, non-sterile immunity. This non-sterile immunity lasted at least a month as these hosts were refractory to reinfection despite being exposed to a high infection pressure. Mucous cell hyperplasia was seen in some groups during the intermediary phase of infection, but at the termination of the study a significant depletion was evident. Passive immunization of naive host (with sera from immune hosts) did not confer protection. This indicates differences between host responses to G. derjavini compared to responses against other pathogens where such a passive immunity has been described.
The occurrence of two opecoeliid digeneans in Mullus barbatus and M. surmuletus
Authors: Martínez-Vicaria A. , Martín-Sánchez J. , Illescas P. , Lara A.M. , Jiménez-Albarrán M. , Valero A. 
Published: April 2024

AbstractThe infection by Opecoeloides furcatus and Poracanthium furcatum (Opecoeliidae) was studied in 121 Mullus barbatus and 113 M. surmuletus collected from the Spanish south-eastern Mediterranean. The prevalence of infection was most frequent in M. surmuletus with values of 81.42% for O. furcatus and 38.05% for P. furcatum. In M. barbatus the prevalences of O. furcatus and P. furcatum were 54.54% and 14.88% respectively. Statistically significant differences were found between the infection of the two hosts with P. furcatum. No significant differences in worm burdens could be attributable to host size or to seasonal changes, although a lower infection of M. barbatus by O. furcatus occurred in the autumn. Furthermore, the electrophoretic mobility of the enzyme malic dehydrogenase (MDH) was also studied and both digeneans presented different patterns, corresponding in both cases to homozygotic genotypes.
Localization of a 24-kDa collagenase in the Gymnorhynchus gigas plerocercoid
Authors: Vázquez-López C. , de Armas-Serra C. , Pérez-Serrano J. , Giménez-Pardo C. , Rodríguez-Caabeiro F. 
Published: April 2024

AbstractA 24-kDa collagenase was localized in the Gymnorhynchus gigas plerocercoid immunohistochemically by peroxidase complex staining using polyclonal antibodies from NMRI mouse sera immunized with purified enzyme. Immunoreactivity was determined at different parts of the body (scolex, vesicle and caudal region) and mainly localized in microtriches and parenchymal tissues of the scolex and vesicle. These results, along with the absence of the enzyme in the plerocercoid excretion–secretion products, suggest that the 24-kDa collagenase is produced by parenchymal cells in the anterior region and transported to the outer regions of the worm It is possible that the enzyme plays an important role in degrading parasite tissues during the moulting process.
Immune responses of the argasid tick Ornithodoros moubata moubata induced by infection with the filarial worm Acanthocheilonema viteae
Authors: Hutton D. , Reid A.P. , Townson S. 
Published: April 2024

AbstractInvestigations were undertaken to determine whether the tick Ornithodoros moubatamoubata mounted a detectable immune response to primary and secondary infections with Acanthocheilonema viteae. Uninfected control tick survival rate was 70%, but only 45% in the primary infection group. Post-secondary infection survival rate (82%) was comparable to controls, indicating that these selected ticks had some protective advantage. Mean A. viteae infective larvae recovery from ticks with secondary infections was 31.4% lower than expected, suggesting the development of immunity. SDS–PAGE of haemolymph for proteins induced post-primary infection yielded a stronger signal at 45 kDa than controls, which was further elevated post-secondary infection. Proteins at 48, 22 and 16 to 18 kDa were detected in haemolymph from infected ticks but not seen from controls. The direct effect of haemolymph on microfilarial viability was examined using a novel in vitro assay; in these preliminary trials no differences were observed in parasite viability when exposed to haemolymph from infected or uninfected groups of ticks.
In vitro antifilarial activity of extracts of the medicinal plant Cardiospermum halicacabum against Brugia pahangi
Authors: Khunkitti W. , Fujimaki Y. , Aoki Y. 
Published: April 2024

AbstractThe in vitro effects of ethanol and aqueous extracts of the medicinal plant Cardiospermum halicacabum on adult worms and microfilariae of Brugia pahangi were investigated. With or without the plant extracts in culture medium, the motility of adult worms, microfilariae and microfilarial release from female worms were monitored daily. After 7 days of culture, viability or tissue damage of adult worms was assessed using the MTT assay. At > 500 μg ml-1, the aqueous extract significantly reduced motility of adult females after 24 h of exposure and adult males after 3 days. The aqueous extract, at > 500 μg ml-1, also significantly reduced microfilarial release from female worms, starting on day 2. The reduction in the motility of adult worms and the pattern of microfilarial release from female worms were concentration and time dependent. The MTT assay results revealed that adult worms cultured in the presence of aqueous extracts at > 500 μg ml-1 were damaged. However, the aqueous extract did not affect the motility of microfilariae with the exception of those in higher concentration extracts. Higher concentrations of ethanol extracts (2 mg ml-1) inhibited both the motility of adult worms and the release of microfilariae from females. Little effect of ethanol extracts was detected by the MTT assay, as only slight damage was caused to worms exposed only to the highest concentration (2 mg ml-1). However, ethanol extract at 500 μg ml-1 rapidly reduced the motility of microfilariae on day 2. The present study revealed that an aqueous extract of C. halicacabum has mild but definite direct macrofilaricidal action on B. pahangi.
Monoamine oxidase in amphistomes and its role in worm motility
Authors: Abidi S.M.A. , Nizami W.A. 
Published: April 2024

AbstractThe quantitative assay of mitochondrial monoamine oxidase (MAO) activity revealed a higher enzyme level in Explanatum explanatum than Gastrothylax crumenifer. The specific MAO inhibitors, chlorgyline, pargyline, deprenyl and nialamide produced different degrees of interspecific inhibition. The differential effects on enzyme activity of chlorgyline and deprenyl suggests the possible existence of polymorphic forms of the enzyme, MAO-A and MAO-B, in amphistomes. These specific inhibitors also had a differential influence on the in vitro motility of amphistomes, further indicating the involvement of different forms of MAO in the oxidative deamination of biogenic monoamines which might be partly responsible for neuromuscular coordination in amphistomes. The experimental procedures used in this study could be conveniently used for quick screening and evaluation of some of the qualitative effects of anthelmintic drugs under in vitro conditions.
The life-cycle of the flatfish nematode Cucullanus heterochrous
Authors: Køie M. 
Published: April 2024

AbstractMature specimens of Cucullanus heterochrous Rudolphi, 1802 (Nematoda: Cucullanidae) were obtained from the intestine of the flounder, Platichthys flesus, from Danish waters. Eggs embryonate in seawater but do not hatch. Fully developed larvae pressed out of eggs are 430 μm long with amphids and dereids and enclosed within the cuticle of a previous larval stage. Infective larvae are believed to be in their third stage. Experimental studies showed that the polychaetes, Nereis spp., Scoloplos armiger, Brada villosa and Capitella sp., may act as intermediate hosts. In N. diversicolor the larvae increase their length to 1 mm within four weeks (15°C) without moulting. Experimental infections showed that larvated eggs are not infective to fish, whereas >550 μm long larvae from polychaetes survived in 4–24 cm long flounders and plaice, Pleuronectes platessa. Third-stage larvae 550 μm to 1.1 mm long were found in the submucosa of the intestine one week post infection. At a length of about 800 μm to 1.4 mm they moult to fourth-stage larvae. Fourth-stage larvae, immature and mature worms occur in the intestine and rectum. Fourth-stage larvae and adults survived experimental transfer from one flounder to another. Similar developmental stages survived for two weeks in the intestine of experimentally infected cod, Gadus morhua.
Neutral lipids in cercariae, encysted metacercariae, and rediae of Echinostoma caproni
Authors: Marsit C.J. , Fried B. , Sherma J. 
Published: April 2024

AbstractHigh performance thin-layer chromatography (HPTLC) was used to analyse the neutral lipids in the rediae, cercariae, and encysted metacercariae of Echinostoma caproni from Biomphalaria glabrata snails. Visual observations of the chromatograms showed that the most abundant lipid fraction in all stages was free sterol. Quantification of the free sterol revealed mean weights of 2.7 ± 0.64 ng per redia, 0.53 ± 0.023 ng per cercaria, and 0.081 ± 0.0098 ng per encysted metacercaria. Oil Red O staining of the larval stages confirmed the presence of lipids within the rediae and cercariae but did not show lipids in the encysted metacercariae. The dimunition in neutral lipids from the cercarial to the encysted metacercarial stage does not support a previous observation that fat increases in successive phases of the digenean life cycle.
Effect of drilling on otolithic organ functions in mastoidectomy
Authors: Karakuzu Ahmet Taha , Özel Halil Erdem , Temir Hümeyra , Özdoğan Fatih , Genç Selahattin , Çalışkan Sebla 
Published: April 2024

AbstractObjectiveThis study aimed to assess the effect of drilling during mastoidectomy on otolithic organ functions and development of benign paroxysmal positional vertigo using objective vestibular tests.Materials and methodsThe study included 45 adult patients diagnosed with chronic otitis media who underwent mastoidectomy with drilling. Pre-operative and post-operative assessments included tests for subjective visual vertical deviation and videonystagmography.ResultsSubjective visual vertical deviation was significantly higher in post-operative periods. On the third day, the subjective visual vertical deviation was at its maximum (1.4 degrees). Post-operatively, benign paroxysmal positional vertigo was detected in 14 patients (31.1 per cent). The most common type was ipsilateral lateral canal benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (57.1 per cent).ConclusionThe effect of drilling on otolithic organ functions in mastoidectomy seems to be temporary and subclinical; however, it potentially could be a risk factor for the development of benign paroxysmal positional vertigo.
The relationship between childhood trauma, psychotic symptoms, and cognitive schemas in patients with schizophrenia, their siblings, and healthy controls: results from the EU-GEI study
Authors: Üçok Alp , Noyan Handan , Gülöksüz Sinan , Saka Meram Can , Alptekin Köksal , Atbaşoğlu Cem , Akturan Elçin , Karadayı Gülşah , Baran Tatar Zeynep , Akdede Berna , Binbay Tolga , Altınyazar Vesile , Ulaş Halis , Yalınçetin Berna , Gümüş-Akay Güvem , Cihan Burçin , Soygür Haldun , Şahin Cankurtaran Eylem , Ulusoy Kaymak Semra , Rutten Bart P.F. , van Os Jim 
Published: April 2024

AbstractBackgroundThe relationship between childhood trauma (CT) and psychotic symptoms in patients with schizophrenia (SCZ), and subthreshold psychotic experiences in non-clinical populations is well-established. However, little is known about the relationship between subtypes of trauma and specific symptoms in patients, their siblings, and controls. It is also not clear which variables mediate the relationship between trauma and psychotic symptoms.MethodsSeven hundred and forty-two patients with SCZ, 718 of their unaffected siblings and 1039 controls from three EU-GEI sites were assessed for CT, symptom severity, and cognitive schemas about self/others. CT was assessed with the Childhood Trauma Questionnaire, and cognitive schemas were assessed by The Brief Core Schema Scale.ResultsPatients with psychosis were affected by CT more than their siblings and controls in all domains. Childhood emotional abuse and neglect were more common in siblings than controls. CT was related to negative cognitive schemas toward self/others in patients, siblings, and controls. We found that negative schemas about self-mediated the relationship between emotional abuse and thought withdrawal and thought broadcasting. Approximately 33.9% of the variance in these symptoms was explained by the mediator. It also mediated the relationship between sexual abuse and persecutory delusions in SCZ.ConclusionsOur findings suggest that childhood abuse and neglect are more common in patients with schizophrenia than their siblings and healthy controls, and have different impacts on clinical domains which we searched. The relationship between CT and positive symptoms seems to be mediated by negative cognitive schemas about self in schizophrenia.
Intergenerational Justice and Freedom from Deprivation
Authors: Timmer Dick 
Published: April 2024

AbstractAlmost everyone believes that freedom from deprivation should have significant weight in specifying what justice between generations requires. Some theorists hold that it should always trump other distributive concerns. Other theorists hold that it should have some but not lexical priority. I argue instead that freedom from deprivation should have lexical priority in some cases, yet weighted priority in others. More specifically, I defend semi-strong sufficientarianism. This view posits a deprivation threshold at which people are free from deprivation, and an affluence threshold at which people can live an affluent life, even though their lives may be even further improved beyond that point. I argue that freedom from deprivation in one generation lexically outweighs providing affluence in another generation; in all other cases, freedom from deprivation does not have lexical priority.
The distribution of the maximum protection number in simply generated trees
Authors: Heuberger Clemens , Selkirk Sarah J. , Wagner Stephan 
Published: April 2024

AbstractThe protection number of a vertex
$v$
in a tree is the length of the shortest path from
$v$
to any leaf contained in the maximal subtree where
$v$
is the root. In this paper, we determine the distribution of the maximum protection number of a vertex in simply generated trees, thereby refining a recent result of Devroye, Goh, and Zhao. Two different cases can be observed: if the given family of trees allows vertices of outdegree
$1$
, then the maximum protection number is on average logarithmic in the tree size, with a discrete double-exponential limiting distribution. If no such vertices are allowed, the maximum protection number is doubly logarithmic in the tree size and concentrated on at most two values. These results are obtained by studying the singular behaviour of the generating functions of trees with bounded protection number. While a general distributional result by Prodinger and Wagner can be used in the first case, we prove a variant of that result in the second case.
From bias to black boxes: understanding and managing the risks of AI – an actuarial perspective
Authors: du Preez Valerie , Bennet Shaun , Byrne Matthew , Couloumy Aurelién , Das Arijit , Dessain Jean , Galbraith Richard , King Paul , Mutanga Victor , Schiller Frank , Zaaiman Stefan , Moehrke Patrick , van Heerden Lara 
Published: April 2024

Abstract
We explore some of the risks related to Artificial Intelligence (AI) from an actuarial perspective based on research from a transregional industry focus group. We aim to define the key gaps and challenges faced when implementing and utilising modern modelling techniques within traditional actuarial tasks from a risk perspective and in the context of professional standards and regulations. We explore best practice guidelines to attempt to define an ideal approach and propose potential next steps to help reach the ideal approach. We aim to focus on the considerations, initially from a traditional actuarial perspective and then, if relevant, consider some implications for non-traditional actuarial work, by way of examples. The examples are not intended to be exhaustive. The group considered potential issues and challenges of using AI, related to the following key themes:

Ethical

○
Bias, fairness, and discrimination

○
Individualisation of risk assessment

○
Public interest

Professional

○
Interpretability and explainability

○
Transparency, reproducibility, and replicability

○
Validation and governance

Lack of relevant skills available

Wider themes

This paper aims to provide observations that could help inform industry and professional guidelines or discussion or to support industry practitioners. It is not intended to replace current regulation, actuarial standards, or guidelines. The paper is aimed at an actuarial and insurance technical audience, specifically those who are utilising or developing AI, and actuarial industry bodies.
Association between abdominal obesity and depressive symptoms in Peruvian women aged 18–49 years: a sub-analysis of the Demographic and Family Health Survey 2018–2019
Authors: Leon-Zamora Sharon , Villarreal-Zegarra David , Bellido-Boza Luciana 
Published: April 2024

Abstract

Objective:
Abdominal obesity (AO) is characterised by excess adipose tissue. It is a metabolic risk that affects the physical and mental health, particularly in women since they are more prone to mental health problems like depression. This study investigated the association between AO and depressive symptoms in Peruvian women of reproductive age (18–49 years).

Design:
This is a cross-sectional observational study.

Setting:
Peruvian women population of reproductive age.

Participants:
We used data from the Peruvian Demographic and Family Health Survey (DHS) for 2018 and 2019 to assess 17 067 women for the presence of depressive symptoms (using the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9): cut-off score ≥ 10) and AO (measured by abdominal circumference; cut-off score ≥88 cm).

Results:
We observed a 64·55 % prevalence of AO and 7·61 % of depressive symptoms in the study sample. Furthermore, 8·23 % of women with AO had depressive symptoms (P < 0·05). Initially, women with AO appeared to have a 26 % higher risk of depressive symptoms compared with women without AO (P = 0·028); however, after adjustment for covariates, no statistically significant association was observed.

Conclusions:
Therefore, although both conditions are common in women of this age group, no significant association was found between AO and depressive symptoms.
Transformer Versus LSTM: A Comparison of Deep Learning Models for Karst Spring Discharge Forecasting
Authors: Pölz Anna , Blaschke Alfred Paul , Komma Jürgen , Farnleitner Andreas H. , Derx Julia 
Published: April 2024

AbstractKarst springs are essential drinking water resources, however, modeling them poses challenges due to complex subsurface flow processes. Deep learning models can capture complex relationships due to their ability to learn non‐linear patterns. This study evaluates the performance of the Transformer in forecasting spring discharges for up to 4 days. We compare it to the Long Short‐Term Memory (LSTM) Neural Network and a common baseline model on a well‐studied Austrian karst spring (LKAS2) with an extensive hourly database. We evaluated the models for two further karst springs with diverse discharge characteristics for comparing the performances based on four metrics. In the discharge‐based scenario, the Transformer performed significantly better than the LSTM for the spring with the longest response times (9% mean difference across metrics), while it performed poorer for the spring with the shortest response time (4% difference). Moreover, the Transformer better predicted the shape of the discharge during snowmelt. Both models performed well across all lead times and springs with 0.64–0.92 for the Nash–Sutcliffe efficiency and 10.8%–28.7% for the symmetric mean absolute percentage error for the LKAS2 spring. The temporal information, rainfall and electrical conductivity were the controlling input variables for the non‐discharge based scenario. The uncertainty analysis revealed that the prediction intervals are smallest in winter and autumn and highest during snowmelt. Our results thus suggest that the Transformer is a promising model to support the drinking water abstraction management, and can have advantages due to its attention mechanism particularly for longer response times.