bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
From fish to modern humans – comparative anatomy, homologies and evolution of the head and neck musculature
Authors: Diogo R. , Abdala V. , Lonergan N. , Wood B. A. 
Published: July 2008

AbstractIn a recent paper Diogo (2008) reported the results of the first part of an investigation of the comparative anatomy, homologies and evolution of the head and neck muscles of osteichthyans (bony fish + tetrapods). That report mainly focused on actinopterygian fish, but also compared these fish with certain non‐mammalian sarcopterygians. The present paper focuses mainly on sarcopterygians, and particularly on how the head and neck muscles have evolved during the transitions from sarcopterygian fish and non‐mammalian tetrapods to monotreme and therian mammals, including modern humans. The data obtained from our dissections of the head and neck muscles of representative members of sarcopterygian fish, amphibians, reptiles, monotremes and therian mammals, such as rodents, tree‐shrews, colugos and primates, including modern humans, are compared with the information available in the literature. Our observations and comparisons indicate that the number of mandibular and true branchial muscles (sensu this work) present in modern humans is smaller than that found in mammals such as tree‐shrews, rats and monotremes, as well as in reptiles such as lizards. Regarding the pharyngeal musculature, there is an increase in the number of muscles at the time of the evolutionary transition leading to therian mammals, but there was no significant increase during the transition leading to the emergence of higher primates and modern humans. The number of hypobranchial muscles is relatively constant within the therian mammals we examined, although in this case modern humans have more muscles than other mammals. The number of laryngeal and facial muscles in modern humans is greater than that found in most other therian taxa. Interestingly, modern humans possess peculiar laryngeal and facial muscles that are not present in the majority of the other mammalian taxa; this seems to corroborate the crucial role played by vocal communication and by facial expressions in primate and especially in human evolution. It is hoped that by compiling, in one paper, data about the head and neck muscles of a wide range of sarcopterygians, the present work could be useful to comparative anatomists, evolutionary biologists and functional morphologists and to researchers working in other fields such as developmental biology, genetics and/or evolutionary developmental biology.
Distribution of mucins and antimicrobial substances lysozyme and lactoferrin in the laryngeal subglottic region
Authors: Kutta Hannes , Willer Andreas , Steven Philipp , Bräuer Lars , Tsokos Michael , Paulsen Friedrich 
Published: July 2008

AbstractThe subglottic region of the larynx is of high clinical relevance with regard to infections and malignancies. Little is known about the distribution of mucins and antimicrobial substances in this area. In this study, we have investigated the mucin distribution in the normal subglottis of the larynx. Moreover, we analysed the expression of lysozyme and lactoferrin in this area. Therefore, the subglottic region of 34 larynges was investigated immunohistochemically with different antibodies to mucins and antimicrobial substances. The epithelium reacted positive with antibodies to mucins MUC1 (34/34), 5AC (26/34), 5B (10/34), 7 (8/34), 8 (10/34) and 16 (19/34); submucosal glands were positive to mucins MUC1 (34/34), 5B (10/34), 7 (8/34), and 16 (19/34); high columnar epithelial cells and serous parts of subepithelial seromucous glands were also positive for lysozyme (34/34) and lactoferrin (34/34). The results show that human subglottic epithelium and subepithelial submucosal glands produce a broad spectrum of mucins that is almost comparable with that in other areas of the respiratory tract. We hypothesize that the mucin diversity of the subglottis has an impact on positive functional consequences during vocal production and antimicrobial defence. This antimicrobial defence is supported by synthesis and secretion of antimicrobial substances such as lysozyme and lactoferrin. Moreover, knowledge of the observed distribution pattern of mucins in the subglottis can be a useful tool for a classification of subglottic laryngeal carcinomas.
ERP correlates of complex human decision making in a gambling paradigm: Detection and resolution of conflict
Authors: Mennes Maarten , Wouters Heidi , Van Den Bergh Bea , Lagae Lieven , Stiers Peter 
Published: July 2008

AbstractThe present event‐related potential study investigated the correlates of decision making in relation to the amount of response conflict. In a gambling paradigm, response conflict was introduced by giving participants the option to either gamble or pass. Second, the odds and gains in each trial were manipulated to make the decision to gamble or pass determined or underdetermined. Underdetermined trials included an extra conflict. The N2 was modulated by the mere presence of conflict. In contrast to both conflict monitoring and inhibition theories for N2, these results suggest that an enhancement in N2 reflects the mere detection of conflicting alternatives. The P3 showed a fronto‐central increase in amplitude in trials including two forms of response conflict compared to trials including only one conflict. These findings suggest that P3 reflects part of the conflict resolution processes.
Blink before and after you think: Blinks occur prior to and following cognitive load indexed by pupillary responses
Authors: Siegle Greg J. , Ichikawa Naho , Steinhauer Stuart 
Published: July 2008

AbstractPupil dilation and blinks provide complementary, mutually exclusive indices of information processing. Though each index is associated with cognitive load, the occurrence of a blink precludes the measurement of pupil diameter. These indices have generally been assessed in independent literatures. We examine the extent to which these measures are related on two cognitive tasks using a novel method that quantifies the proportion of trials on which blinks occur at each sample acquired during the trial. This measure allows cross‐correlation of continuous pupil‐dilation and blink waveforms. Results indicate that blinks occur during early sensory processing and following sustained information processing. Pupil dilation better reflects sustained information processing. Together these indices provide a rich picture of the time course of information processing, from early reactivity through sustained cognition, and after stimulus‐related cognition ends.
The effects of learning on event‐related potential correlates of musical expectancy
Authors: Carrión Ricardo E. , Bly Benjamin Martin 
Published: July 2008

AbstractMusical processing studies have shown that unexpected endings in familiar musical sequences produce extended latencies of the P300 component. The present study sought to identify event‐related potential (ERP) correlates of musical expectancy by entraining participants with rule‐governed chord sequences and testing whether unexpected endings created similar responses. Two experiments were conducted in which participants performed grammaticality classifications without training (Experiment 1) and with training (Experiment 2). In both experiments, deviant chords differing in instrumental timbre elicited a MMN/P3a waveform complex. Violations related to learned patterns elicited an early right anterior negativity and P3b. Latency and amplitude of peak components were modulated by the physical characteristics of the chords, expectations due to prior knowledge of musical harmony, and contextually defined expectations developed through entrainment.
Task difficulty effects on cardiac activity
Authors: Richter Michael , Friedrich Antonia , Gendolla Guido H. E. 
Published: July 2008

AbstractAn experiment with 64 participants manipulated task difficulty and assessed cardiac reactivity in active coping over four levels of demand. Participants performed a memory task while preejection period, heart rate, and blood pressure were assessed. In accordance with the theoretical predictions of R. A. Wright's (1996) integration of motivational intensity theory (J. W. Brehm & E. A. Self, 1989) with Obrist's active coping approach (P. A. Obrist, 1981), preejection period and systolic blood pressure reactivity increased with task difficulty across the first three difficulty levels. On the fourth difficulty level—where success was impossible—reactivity of both preejection period and systolic blood pressure were low. These findings provide the first clear evidence for the notion of Wright's integrative model that energy mobilization in active coping is mediated by beta‐adrenergic impact on the heart.
Over‐expression of an S‐adenosylmethionine‐dependent methyltransferase leads to an extended lifespan ofPodospora anserinawithout impairments in vital functions
Authors: Kunstmann Birgit , Osiewacz Heinz D. 
Published: July 2008

SummaryPaMTH1, a putative methyltransferase previously described to increase in abundance in total protein extracts during aging ofPodospora anserinais demonstrated to accumulate in the mitochondrial cell fraction of senescent cultures. The protein is localized in the mitochondrial matrix and displays a methyltransferase activity utilizing flavonoids as substrates. Constitutive over‐expression ofPaMth1inP. anserinaresults in a reduced carbonylation of proteins and an extended lifespan without impairing vital functions suggesting a protecting role of PaMTH1 against oxidative stress.
Proxy global assessment of land degradation
Authors: Bai Z. G. , Dent D. L. , Olsson L. , Schaepman M. E. 
Published: July 2008

AbstractLand degradation is always with us but its causes, extent and severity are contested. We define land degradation as a long‐term decline in ecosystem function and productivity, which may be assessed using long‐term, remotely sensed normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI) data. Deviation from the norm may serve as a proxy assessment of land degradation and improvement – if other factors that may be responsible are taken into account. These other factors include rainfall effects which may be assessed by rain‐use efficiency, calculated from NDVI and rainfall. Results from the analysis of the 23‐year Global Inventory Modeling and Mapping Studies (GIMMS) NDVI data indicate declining rain‐use efficiency‐adjusted NDVI on ca. 24% of the global land area with degrading areas mainly in Africa south of the equator, South‐East Asia and south China, north‐central Australia, the Pampas and swaths of the Siberian and north American taiga; 1.5 billion people live in these areas. The results are very different from previous assessments which compounded what is happening now with historical land degradation. Economic appraisal can be undertaken when land degradation is expressed in terms of net primary productivity and the resultant data allow statistical comparison with other variables to reveal possible drivers.
Coupling forward modelling of garnet growth with monazite geochronology: an application to the Rappold Complex (Austroalpine crystalline basement)
Authors: GAIDIES F. , KRENN E. , DE CAPITANI C. , ABART R. 
Published: July 2008

AbstractResults from forward modelling of garnet growth and U–Th–Pb chemical dating suggest three periods of metamorphism that affected metapelitic rocks of the Rappold Complex (Eastern European Alps). Garnet first grew during Barrovian‐type metamorphism, possibly during the Carboniferous Variscan orogeny. The second period of metamorphism produced monazite and resulted in minor garnet growth in some samples. Variable garnet growth was controlled by changes to the effective bulk rock composition resulting from resorption of older garnet porphyroblasts. Monazite crystals have variable morphology, textures and composition, but all yield Permian ages (267 ± 12 to 274 ± 17 Ma). In samples in which there was Permian garnet growth, monazite forms isolated and randomly distributed grains. In other samples, monazite formed pseudomorphous clusters after allanite. This difference is attributed to higher transport rates of monazite‐forming elements in samples which underwent dehydration reactions during renewed garnet growth. The third and final period of garnet growth took place during Eo‐Alpine (Cretaceous) metamorphism. Garnet of this age displays a wart‐like texture. This may reflect transport‐limited growth, possibly as a result of repeated dehydration during polyphase metamorphism.
Primary Headache in Italian Early Adolescents: The Role of Perceived Teacher Unfairness
Authors: Santinello Massimo , Vieno Alessio , De Vogli Roberto 
Published: July 2008

Background.—The impact of perceived teacher unfairness on headache incidence has previously been insufficiently investigated.Objective.—The aims of the study are to analyze the prevalence of headache among Italian early adolescents as well as to examine the role of perceived teacher unfairness and classmate social support in predicting this health outcome.Methods.—Data were taken from the “Health Behaviour in School Aged Children,” a cross‐sectional survey investigating health behaviors among early adolescents in selected European countries. Headache, perceived teacher unfairness, and classmate social support were measured through a self‐administered questionnaire filled out by a representative sample of 4386 (48.4% males) Italian students (11, 13, and 15 years old). Covariates included demographic characteristics (age, gender) and socioeconomic status (parental educational attainment), and other confounding psychological factors (eg, family empowerment, bullying).Results.—Prevalence of frequent headaches (at least once a week) was about 40%. Girls were more likely to report frequent headaches compared with boys. Prevalence of frequent headaches increased with age. After adjusting for age and gender, teacher unfairness showed a significant association with frequent headache (P < .001). This relationship remained significant even after additional adjustment for several psychosocial factors. Classmate social support seems to act as a protective factor, but not as a buffering mechanism against the negative effects of teacher unfairness.Conclusions.—Italian early adolescents show a quite high prevalence of frequent headache. Results show that characteristics of the school setting, such as teacher unfairness and classmate social support, can be significant predictors of frequent headache among early adolescents. Longitudinal research is needed to delineate causal relationships between school factors and recurrent headache.
Multicenter double‐blind, randomized, placebo‐controlled trial of levetiracetam as add‐on therapy in Chinese patients with refractory partial‐onset seizures
Authors: Wu Xun‐Yi , Hong Zhen , Wu Xun , Wu Li‐Wen , Wang Xue‐Feng , Zhou Dong , Zhao Zhong‐Xin , Lv Chuan‐Zhen 
Published: July 2008

SummaryPurpose:  To evaluate efficacy and tolerability of levetiracetam (LEV; Keppra®) as add‐on therapy in Chinese patients with refractory partial‐onset seizures.Methods:  In this multicenter, double‐blind, randomized, placebo‐controlled trial, 206 patients aged 16–70 years with uncontrolled partial‐onset seizures were randomized to receive LEV (n =103) or placebo (n =103); 202 patients (LEV, n =102; placebo, n = 100) comprised the intent‐to‐treat population. An 8‐week historical baseline period confirmed eligibility according to seizure count. The 16‐week treatment period consisted of a 4‐week up‐titration period (LEV, 1,000–3,000 mg/day in two equal divided doses) followed by a 12‐week maintenance period. Efficacy assessments were based on weekly frequency of partial‐onset seizures during the 16‐week treatment period.Results:  LEV significantly decreased weekly partial‐onset seizure frequency over placebo by 26.8% (p < 0.001). Median percentage reductions in weekly partial‐onset seizure frequency from historical baseline were 55.9% for LEV and 13.7% for placebo (p < 0.001). The ≥50% responder rates were 55.9% for LEV, compared with 26.0% for placebo (p < 0.001). Freedom from partial‐onset seizures during treatment period was achieved by 11 LEV patients (10.8%) and 2 placebo patients (2.0%) (p = 0.012). Adverse events were reported by 65 LEV‐treated patients (63.1%) and 62 placebo‐treated patients (60.2%); most were of mild‐to‐moderate intensity. The most common adverse events were somnolence (LEV, 17.5%; placebo, 17.5%), decreased platelet count (LEV, 9.7%; placebo, 9.7%), and dizziness (LEV, 7.8%; placebo, 13.6%).Discussion:  Add‐on LEV was effective and well‐tolerated in Chinese patients with refractory partial‐onset seizures.
Changes in individual and group spatial and verbal learning characteristics after anterior temporal lobectomy
Authors: Dulay Mario F. , Levin Harvey S. , York Michele K. , Li Xiaoqi , Mizrahi Eli M. , Goldsmith Ian , Verma Amit , Goldman Alica , Grossman Robert G. , Yoshor Daniel 
Published: July 2008

SummaryPurpose:  To evaluate the effects of anterior temporal lobectomy (ATL) on individual and group spatial and verbal learning and memory abilities as a function of side of surgery and seizure control outcome.Methods:  We evaluated pre‐ and postsurgical learning and memory abilities of 75 left‐hemisphere language dominant individuals who underwent ATL (33 left, 42 right) using the 8‐trial Nonverbal Selective Reminding test and the 12‐trial Verbal Selective Reminding test.Results:  Reliable change index methods indicated that 40.5% of individuals who underwent right‐ATL had a clinically significant decline in spatial memory, and 62.5% of individuals who underwent left‐ATL had a significant reduction in verbal memory. Growth curve analyses indicated that both side of surgery and poor seizure outcome independently affected the learning slope in the best fitting models. Left‐ATL reduced the slope, but did not affect the overall shape, of verbal learning across trials. On the other hand, poor seizure control outcome affected the slope of spatial learning regardless of the side of surgery.Discussion:  Results demonstrate both individual and group declines in spatial memory and learning after ATL. Results suggest that individuals who undergo right‐ATL should be counseled regarding the likelihood of a decline in spatial memory and learning abilities after ATL. Results also suggest that individuals with poor seizure control after ATL should be referred for rehabilitation services given the significant declines in spatial and verbal memory that occurred in our sample regardless of side of surgery.
TWO SNOW SPECIES OF THE QUADRIFLAGELLATE GREEN ALGACHLAINOMONAS(CHLOROPHYTA, VOLVOCALES): ULTRASTRUCTURE AND PHYLOGENETIC POSITION WITHIN THE CHLOROMONAS CLADE1
Authors: Novis Philip M. , Hoham Ronald W. , Beer Thomas , Dawson Murray 
Published: July 2008

The quadriflagellate snow algaChlainomonasChristen, distributed in New Zealand and North America, has several unusual structural attributes. A process assumed to be cytokinesis involves extrusion of protoplasm from the parent through a narrow canal,C. kolii(J. T. Hardy et Curl) Hoham produces a net‐like outer envelope rather than a cell wall, and the flagellar basal apparatus ofChlainomonasconsists of two semi‐independent pairs of basal bodies. Structural connections between basal body pairs appear minimal, but a connecting system different from that observed in other genera exists within each pair. Phylogenetic analysis usingrbcL sequences placesChlainomonasin the Chloromonas clade, other known members of which are all biflagellate.Chlainomonasis split into two robust lineages, with New Zealand collections sharing an origin with northern North American collections. Although the quadriflagellate condition is regarded as ancestral in the Chlorophyceae, we speculate—based on ultrastructural and molecular data presented here—thatChlainomonasrepresents a derived form that has arisen from fusion of two ancestral biflagellate cells. Other explanations (for example, thatChlainomonasrepresents a diploid form of a biflagellate species) are remotely possible but are presently at odds with extensive observations of field material. Improvements in techniques for experimental manipulation of these sensitive cryophiles will be required to fully characterize their structure and progress our understanding of their biology.
Coffee and Cigarette Consumption and Perceived Effects in Recovering Alcoholics Participating in Alcoholics Anonymous in Nashville, Tennessee
Authors: Reich Michael S. , Dietrich Mary S. , Reid Finlayson Alistair James , Fischer Edward F. , Martin Peter R. 
Published: July 2008

Background: Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) members represent an important and relatively understudied population for improving our understanding of alcohol dependence recovery as over 1 million Americans participate in the program. Further insight into coffee and cigarette use by these individuals is necessary given AA members’ apparent widespread consumption and the recognized health consequences and psychopharmacological actions of these substances.Methods: Volunteers were sought from all open‐AA meetings in Nashville, TN during the summer of 2007 to complete a questionnaire (n = 289, completion rate = 94.1%) including timeline followback for coffee, cigarette, and alcohol consumption; the Alcoholics Anonymous Affiliation Scale; coffee consumption and effects questions; the Fagerstrom Test for Nicotine Dependence (FTND); and the Smoking Effects Questionnaire.Results: Mean (±SD) age of onset of alcohol consumption was 15.4 ± 4.2 years and mean lifetime alcohol consumption was 1026.0 ± 772.8 kg ethanol. Median declared alcohol abstinence was 2.1 years (range: 0 days to 41.1 years) and median lifetime AA attendance was 1000.0 meetings (range: 4 to 44,209 meetings); average AA affiliation score was 7.6 ± 1.5. Most (88.5%) individuals consumed coffee and approximately 33% of coffee consumers drank more than 4 cups per day (M = 3.9 ± 3.9). The most common self‐reported reasons for coffee consumption and coffee‐associated behavioral changes were related to stimulatory effects. More than half (56.9%) of individuals in AA smoked cigarettes. Of those who smoked, 78.7% consumed at least half a pack of cigarettes per day (M = 21.8 ± 12.3). Smokers’ FTND scores were 5.8 ± 2.4; over 60% of smokers were highly or very highly dependent. Reduced negative affect was the most important subjective effect of smoking.Conclusions: A greater proportion of AA participants drink coffee and smoke cigarettes in larger per capita amounts than observed in general U.S. populations. The effects of these products as described by AA participants suggest significant stimulation and negative affect reduction. Fundamental knowledge of the quantitative and qualitative aspects of coffee and cigarette consumption among AA members will enable future research to discern their impact on alcohol abstinence and recovery.