Search PubMed⌕ Search

SEARCH · Search PubMed

Results for “Crows”

Search indexed PubMed citations on genomics, clinical trials, systematic reviews and public health. Explore titles, authors and supplied subject terms, then open the PubMed record.

Quote a phrase for an exact phrase match. Source license links do not imply unrestricted reuse.

At least 847 records · Page 47Linked to original sources
PubMed1992

Emotion and identification of environmental sounds and electroencephalographic activity.

Eight environmental sounds, i.e., playing the harp, cuckoo's song, sound of the waves, cock's crow, noise of the subway, alarm of a clock, sound of a dentist's drill, scratching of the blackboard, and their temporally reverse sounds were presented for 20 sec to 16 college students in a sound-attenuated chamber. The subjects were requested to estimate the degree of pleasantness-unpleasantness and confidence in identifying each sound 10 sec after presentation. Electroencephalography was recorded at C3, C4, O1 and O2 (International 10-20 system), and the mean EEG powers of delta, theta, alpha-1, alpha-2, beta-1 and beta-2 bands during the sound presentations were computed by a signal processor. The results were as follows: 1) Even when the loudness and frequency component of the sounds were equivalent, there was big difference in pleasantness-unpleasantness estimation among the environmental sounds. 2) Inaccuracy in identifying the sounds presented backwards neutralized the pleasantness-unpleasantness estimation. 3) Powers of theta and low frequency alpha bands were higher during presentation of the pleasant sounds than during presentation of the unpleasant sounds. 4) Alpha activity was more closely related with subjective confidence in sound identification than with pleasantness-unpleasantness estimation of sound. These findings suggest that pleasantness-unpleasantness estimation of environmental sounds depends not only on their loudness level or frequency component but on the accuracy in sound identification and that modification of sound identification may be useful in alleviating the environment noise problem. Alpha activity seems to be closely related to the recognition of sound, but further research is needed on EEG activity in the relationship between the emotional state and sound identification.

Adult↗
PubMed2003

[Structures and spatial distribution patterns of dominant populations in Sycopsis sinensis community in Houhe Nature Reserve].

Based on the investigation data of 2 quadrats (1,600 m2 and 2,400 m2) in Houhe Nature Reserve, tree size class method was applied to analyze the structures of the dominant populations, and t-test of v/m ratio, mean crowing index, negative binomial parameter, patchiness index and Morisita index were applied to analyze the spatial distribution patterns of two dominant populations. The clumping degrees were also evaluated according to their size classes in different quadrats. The results showed that Sycopsis sinensis population was a declining population, dominated by IV trees and difficult to regenerate. In the population, the individual percentage of IV trees accounted for 79.4% in Q1 and 87.4% in Q2, and those of I trees and II trees were few. However, the population of Cyclobalanopsis axyodon was an growing one, and the individual percentages declined with the increasing size classes. The spatial distribution patterns of the two dominant populations distributed in clumps, but the clumping degrees existed diversity. With the increase of the size classes, the clumping degree of the population of Sycopsis sinensis intensified from random to clumping distribution, while that of the population of Cyclobalanopsis axyodon weakened from clumping to random distribution.

Conservation of Natural Resources↗
PubMed1992

[POEMS syndrome and papilledema].

The Crow-Fukase syndrome or POEMS syndrome (Polyneuropathy, Organomegaly, Edema, Monoclonal protein, Skin changes) is an uncommon plasma cell dyscrasia leading to a multisystemic disorder. An optic disc swelling is often related to this syndrome. We report the case of a 51-year-old man with a papilledema. We presume that vasculitis or plasma cell infiltration is the cause of the papilledema.

Adrenal Cortex Hormones↗
PubMed2003

Arbovirus surveillance in Rhode Island: assessing potential ecologic and climatic correlates.

During 1995-2000, mosquitoes were collected from sites throughout Rhode Island and tested for the presence of arboviruses. Mosquito trapping was done weekly from June to October with CO2-baited light traps. In all, 186,537 mosquitoes belonging to 7 different genera were collected, of which Coquillettidia perturbans was most abundant. A total of 6,434 pools were processed for arbovirus isolation, from which 193 arboviral isolations were made. These included 109 Highlands J, 71 eastern equine encephalomyelitis, 1 California encephalitis serogroup, 2 Jamestown Canyon, 3 Cache Valley, and 9 Flanders viruses. Our isolations of Flanders virus represent the 1st reported occurrence of this virus in Rhode Island. After the 1999 sudden occurrence of the West Nile virus (WN) in the New York City area, a dead-bird surveillance program was started to test for this virus. Although no isolations of WN were made from mosquitoes, 87 virus isolations were made from a total of 330 wild birds tested. All the WN-infected birds were either American crows or blue jays. Isolation of WN from dead birds marked the 1st documented appearance of this virus in Rhode Island. Significant interannual variation of arbovirus activity in Rhode Island prompted us to examine if climate-associated factors such as rainfall and temperature correlate with virus activity. Total rainfall amounts from May to June were higher than normal in 1996 and 1998. These years showed significantly higher arbovirus activity. Deviations from normal temperature showed low correlation with arbovirus activity during the 6-year study period. Therefore, precipitation appeared to be more important than temperature in predicting arbovirus activity in Rhode Island.

Animals↗
PubMed2003

A geospatial study of the potential of two exotic species of mosquitoes to impact the epidemiology of West Nile virus in Maryland.

We used geospatial techniques to study the potential impact of 2 exotic mosquitoes, Aedes albopictus and Ochlerotatus japonicus japonicus, on the epidemiology of West Nile virus in Maryland. These 2 species have established populations in Maryland over the past 15 years. Larvae of both mosquito species are found in natural and artificial water-holding cavities and containers, particularly water in tires. Therefore, we used locations of licensed tire dealers and of tire dumps scheduled for clean up as an index for potential sources of mosquito vectors. This index was expected to underestimate the actual population of source habitats. West Nile virus activity in Maryland during 1999, 2000, and 2001 was indicated by the presence of dead, infected birds, particularly American crows and other corvids; infected pools of mosquitoes; and human and horse infections. Adult females of both mosquito species are aggressive, opportunistic feeders that have been observed to take blood meals from avian and mammalian hosts. Susceptible vertebrate hosts, particularly birds, are ubiquitously distributed throughout the developed areas of the state. This analysis demonstrated a spatial convergence of the virus, the exotic mosquito vectors, and susceptible hosts. This conjunction indicated that these 2 mosquito species have a high potential to serve as bridge vectors and thus, impact the epidemiology of West Nile virus under favorable environmental and climatic conditions. Positive mosquito pools were collected from only the Baltimore-Washington metropolitan corridor, suggesting a newly created enzootic focus for this virus. Land-cover analysis of the sites where virus activity had been detected showed predominantly developed land uses. Analyses of the environmental justice aspects (social, economic, and housing characteristics) of block groups with human West Nile fever cases or with positive mosquito pools were equivocal. Human cases seemed to occur in developed block groups with lower income levels.

Aedes↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Schizophrenia in the light of the evolutionary theories].

The aim of the article was to review the hypotheses of schizophrenia in the light of the evolutionary theory. The authors distinguished adaptationist and non-adaptationist hypotheses concerning the evolutionary underpinnings of schizophrenia. The adaptationist hypotheses are firmly based on notions of adaptation, natural selection and proximate and ultimate causes. The standard hypotheses of this sort proposed by Steven and Price as well as by Pollimeni and Reiss were discussed. Also, the other similar conceptions originated from McGuire and Troisi and proposed by David Horrobin were presented of which the latter is especially promising and worth further investigating. The non-adaptationistic authors criticised many assumptions of the adapationist program i.e. too broad use of term "adaptation" in the area of human behaviour or the very idea of proximate and ultimate causes. Unlike the adaptionists, they focus their attention on other aspects of the evolutionary processes i.e. the role of the mutation and also they are searching in a much intensive way than their opponents for verification of the hypotheses based on the empirical evidence. The theories developed by Crow and by Yeo were listed among the non-adaptationistic ones and presented.

Adaptation, Physiological↗
PubMed2003

Plasmacup--special design. Aspects of the dysplastic acetabulum.

In Japan, the main reason for osteoarthritis of the hip joint is caused by dysplastic deformities. The implantation technique of cementless press-fit cup with multi-screw fixation and acetabular bone graft to reconstruct the true acetabular center is described. In addition, special design aspects of the BiCONTACT-N stem were optimized for these patients. Between January 1997 and December 1999, 29 patients (33 hips) received a BiCONTACT-N/Plasmacup-M total hip replacement. There were 28 women and one man. Average age at the time of THA of 64 (range 51-76) years. Average time of follow-up was 41 (range 25-59) months. According to the Crowe classification, 18 hips where classified as type 1 (less than 50% subluxation of the femoral head from the acetabulum), nine type 2 (50-75% subluxation), five type 3 (75-100% subluxation), and one type 4 (complete dislocation). At time of follow-up, there was no loosening of the acetabular implant or collapse of the acetabular bone graft. In the radiographic examination, 80% of the femoral implants showed spot welds in the transitional zone of the coated and uncoated area, and 96% sclerotic lines in the coated area. At the uncoated surface, radiolucent lines were seen in 12% and a cortical hypertrophy in 24%. No stress shielding could be observed. Stem subsidence was measured with an average value of 0.32 (range 0-1.6) mm. No patient complained about thigh pain, and no intraoperative complications were observed. Postoperative complications were two anterior dislocations due to cup malposition and excessive lumbar hypnosis. Three deep-venous thromboses where found with venography and treated with warfarin therapy. The limited experience indicates that BiCONTACT-N stem design in combination with the Plasmacup multihole implant is appropriate for the treatment of dysplastic hip deformities in Japanese patients. However, a long-term follow-up study is needed.

Acetabulum↗
PubMed1992

[Serological studies of synanthropic birds for infection by M. avium].

Examination for M. avium contamination covered 702 specimens of the synanthropic birds of 6 species (hooded crows, daws, rooks, magpies, sparrows, starlings) which was carried out in 13 landscape-epizootic areas of the northern zone of the Low Volga region. Contamination was studied by a serological test (AIT) using the M. avium extract and dry avian tuberculin as an antigen in the parallel tests. It was found that 96 (23%) of the 416 specimens from the right bank of the Volga and 65 (22.72%) of the 286 birds from the left bank were AIT-seropositive. The paper presents methods of study and contamination parameters of birds; the character of distribution of the infected birds by the region of the examination zone is discussed.

Animals↗
PubMed2003

Implementing speech supplementation strategies: effects on intelligibility and speech rate of individuals with chronic severe dysarthria.

A growing body of experimental research suggests that speech supplementation strategies can markedly increase speech intelligibility for individuals with dysarthria (D. Beukelman & K. Yorkston, 1977; E. Crow & P. Enderby, 1989; L. Hunter, T. Pring, & S. Martin, 1991; K. C. Hustad & D. R. Beukelman, 2001). However, studies in which speech supplementation strategies were actually implemented by speakers with dysarthria are limited, leaving their clinical efficacy unknown. The present study compared intelligibility and speech rate differences following speaker implementation of 3 strategies (topic, alphabet, and combined topic and alphabet supplementation) and a habitual (noncued) speech control condition for 5 speakers with severe dysarthria. Results revealed that combined cues and alphabet cues yielded significantly higher intelligibility scores and slower speech rates than topic cues and noncued speech. Overall, topic cues and noncued speech did not differ from one another with regard to intelligibility or speech rate. Combined cues and alphabet cues did not differ from one another with regard to intelligibility; however, speech rate was significantly different between the 2 strategies. Individual differences among speakers were generally consistent with group findings. Results were somewhat different from previous research in which strategies were experimentally superimposed on the habitual speech signal. However, findings provide evidence that alphabet cues and combined cues can have an important effect on intelligibility for speakers with severe dysarthria.

Adult↗
PubMed1992

[Biodemographic parameters as indicators of genetic adaptation to harmful occupational factors (e.g. asbestos)].

A total of 129 women working at asbestos-concentrating factories and asbestos articles manufacture plant, including 87 of them facing asbestosis and 42 exposed to asbestos without asbestosis were examined. There was no marked shifts in the reproductive function and pregnancy results of women facing asbestosis and those exposed to asbestos without asbestosis. Women facing asbestosis has infant mortality higher than other women. Parameters of potential selection (index Crow) in the studied population showed an unfavourable demographic situation in women facing asbestosis. Analysis of biodemographic data helped to suggest the possibility of genetic predisposition to asbestosis.

Abortion, Spontaneous↗
PubMed2004

A polyhydroxy acid skin care regimen provides antiaging effects comparable to an alpha-hydroxyacid regimen.

There have been numerous clinical studies conducted to evaluate the beneficial effects of the polyhydroxy acids (PHAs) in skincare. Although there is significant evidence that PHAs provide antiaging effects to skin, a direct comparison between alpha-hydroxyacids (AHAs) and PHAs for these effects has not been conducted. This 12-week clinical study evaluated gluconolactone-containing products (PHAs) in comparison with glycolic acid-containing products (AHAs). Clinical grading of photoaging, as well as objective and subjective irritation, was conducted on the face at baseline and after 6 and 12 weeks of product use. Pinch recoil, silicone replicas of the crow's-feet area, and self-assessment of product efficacy and tolerance were also collected. Both regimens showed significant antiaging benefits to skin as measured by silicone replicas, clinical grading, and pinch recoil for skin resiliency. There were only 2 statistically significant (P < .05) differences between the regimens in antiaging benefits: (1) sallowness showed greater improvement with AHA use at week 12 only (AHA, 17. 1%; PHA, 12.4%), and (2) pinch recoil showed greater improvement with AHA use at week 12 only (AHA, 13.5%; PHA, 10.2%). Irritation grading and subject self-assessment showed that the PHA regimen was better tolerated than the AHA regimen. Stinging and burning were significantly worse for subjects in the AHA treatment group at both week 6 and 12, and degree of sensitivity was rated worse for the AHA regimen as well. The present study shows the enhanced mildness of PHAs and their equivalence in providing antiaging benefits compared with an AHA regimen.

Adult↗
PubMed2004

An outbreak of West Nile virus-associated disease in domestic geese (Anser anser domesticus) upon initial introduction to a geographic region, with evidence of bird to bird transmission.

West Nile virus activity in Manitoba was documented for the first time by the collection of an infected crow found on July 8, 2002, in Winnipeg. West Nile virus was identified as the cause of death for a large number of domestic geese at a single farm in southern Manitoba in August. Of the 5 differently aged cohorts on the affected farm, which included 2 breeding flocks and 3 growing flocks, the 6-week-old cohort was most severely affected with 692 of 2731 goslings dying within a 10-day period. Seroprevalence of West Nile virus in 2 clinically affected and recovered juvenile cohorts was 98% and 100%. In breeding geese without clinical disease, seroprevalence was 90% for 15-month-old birds and 10% for 5-year-old birds. Seroreaction in 3 of 4 cohorts tested exceeded what would be expected by mosquito transmission alone.

Animals↗
PubMed2004

[On the question of functional postvagotomy complications].

The intraoperative measures preventing functional complications after vagotomy were determined in performing organ-saving operations on 63 patients with complications of ulcer disease of the duodenum. Truncal vagotomy must be supplemented with draining operation. The draining operations should be carried out with the dissection of the cicatricial-ulcerous infiltration. The gastroduodenal anastomosis in draining operation should be formed by a one-row suture. When performing selective proximal vagotomy and its variants it is necessary to avoid iatrogenic damage of the Laterge nerve and its terminal part--"crow's feet". Mobilization of the abdominal part of the esophagus during different variants of selective proximal vagotomy must be fulfilled along the length not more than 5 cm proximal to the gastro-esophageal passage and to be associated with a correcting operation on the esophagocardial part.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2004

[Genetic demographic description of the Ust-Aldan rural population of Sakha Republic (Yakutia): ethnic, sex, and age compositions, vital statistics, and surname structure].

Information on the sex, age, and ethnic compositions; reproductive parameters; intensity of natural selection (Crow's indices); and surname diversity of three rural populations (the Byadi, Dyupsya, and Cheriktey villages) of the Ust-Aldan ulus (district) of Sakha Republic (Yakutia) has been analyzed. The rural Yakut population of the Ust-Aldan ulus is demographically young (the mean age 25-31 years) and characterized by low outbreeding, unfavorable sex ratio in both prereproductive and reproductive ages, and high fertility (3.58-5.45 children surviving until the reproductive age per woman that has completed the reproductive period), although the actual reproductively active period is shorter than half its physiological duration. In the structure of total selection, the differential-fertility component is considerably greater than the differential-mortality component (Itot = 0.625, Im = 0.093, and If = 0.487). In the villages studied, some surnames are accumulated (45-65% of the population have five most frequent surnames), which determines the low surname diversity (alpha = 11.62-25.19) and high random isonymy (Ir = 0.0391-0.0823).

Age Distribution↗
PubMed2004

Opportunity for natural selection in a Basque population and its secular trend: evolutionary implications of epidemic mortality.

Analysis of the interaction between mortality patterns and opportunity for natural selection could help to elucidate potential evolutionary implications of epidemic mortality. In this paper secular trends are studied in relation to Crow's index (It) and its components of mortality (Im) and fertility (If), using parish records for family reconstitution in a Basque population. A principal components analysis (91% of the variance accounted for) showed marked quantitative and qualitative variations of Im and If depending on the stage of demographic transition of the population analyzed: In pretransitional societies the opportunity for natural selection is determined mainly by differential prereproductive mortality, whereas in posttransitional societies selection resulting from differential fertility plays a key role. The highest values for the mortality component (range 0.81-1.26) and for the relative contribution of Im, to It (range 47.1-57.2%) were observed in periods with a high incidence of infectious diseases and when the most severe mortality crises were detected (1830-1859, 1860-1889, and 1890-1919). A differential incidence of epidemic mortality was also found at prereproductive ages (before 16 years) and at reproductive ages (16-45 years), which provides strong support for the idea of the long-term genetic consequences of mortality crises.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2004

[Genetic demographic structure of rural populations of Kyrgyzstan].

The genetic demographic parameters of rural populations of Kyrgyzstan have been studied. The rural population of Kyrgyzstan has the following demographic characteristics: (1) it is demographically young (the population mean age is 25-28 years); (2) the sex ratio in reproductive age groups is unfavorable; (3) the fertility is high (5.78-7.68 pregnancies and 4.27-5.20 surviving children per woman of postreproductive age; (4) interethnic marriages are rare (1.0-5.9%), whereas consanguineous marriages are frequent (1.4-12%); (5) Crow's indices are relatively low (I(tot) = 0.24-0.29, I(m) = 0.05-0.13, I(f) = 0.14-0.22); and (6) both male and female contributions of different regions of the republic make unequal contributions to the gametic structure of the population, with the gametic structure varying from generation to generation. Demographic parameters vary in rural populations of different geographic regions and with different ethnic compositions.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Calciphylaxis in a patient with POEMS syndrome without renal failure and/or hyperparathyroidism. A case report.

POEMS (Crow-Fukase) syndrome is a rare plasma cell lymphoproliferative disorder associated with polyneuropathy (P), organomegaly (O), endocrinopathy (E), monoclonal (M) gammopathy and skin (S) abnormalities. The latter are usually not specific and include hyperpigmentation, hypertrichosis, cutaneous angioma and skin-thickening. A 45-year-old Italian woman was admitted to hospital because of muscle weakness, marked fatigue and paresthesia of the upper and lower extremities. Two and a half years earlier, a POEMS syndrome had been diagnosed on the basis of a history of organomegaly and mild lymphadenopathy, IgA-lambda monoclonal gammopathy, hypothyroidism, severe lower and upper limb sensory-motor peripheral neuropathy and a single osteosclerotic lesion in the left humerus. Eight weeks later, she developed skin lesions bioptically shown to be due to calciphylaxis-induced cutaneous vasculitis. To our knowledge, this is the first case of POEMS syndrome with this peculiar type of vasculitis. The absence of predisposing conditions, namely renal failure, hyperparathyroidism or clotting disorders renders the pathogenetic mechanism(s) of this severe type of vasculitis more intriguing.

Blood Coagulation↗