bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Progranulin Protein Levels in Cerebrospinal Fluid in Primary Neurodegenerative Dementias
Authors: Morenas-Rodríguez Estrella , Cervera-Carles Laura , Vilaplana Eduard , Alcolea Daniel , Carmona-Iragui María , Dols-Icardo Oriol , Ribosa-Nogué Roser , Muñoz-Llahuna Laia , Sala Isabel , Belén Sánchez-Saudinós M. , Blesa Rafael , Clarimón Jordi , Fortea Juan , Lleó Alberto
Published: January 2016

Background: Progranulin is implicated in frontotemporal dementia (FTD), but its role in other neurodegenerative disorders is unknown. Objective: To investigate the levels of progranulin (PGRN) in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) in different neurodegenerative dementias and their correlation with levels in plasma in cognitively normal subjects. Methods: We measured PGRN in CSF in 229 patients with amnestic mild cognitive impairment, Alzheimer’s disease dementia, sporadic FTD, dementia with Lewy bodies, corticobasal syndrome, or progressive supranuclear palsy. We also measured PGRN in CSF and plasma in 74 cognitively normal individuals. We examined the correlation between PGRN levels in CSF and diagnosis, cortical thickness, genetic factors and other CSF biomarkers. We also investigated the correlation between plasma and CSF levels of PGRN in cognitively normal individuals. Results: CSF levels did not differ across diagnoses or correlate with cortical thickness. Polymorphism rs5848 in GRN influenced CSF PGRN levels, but APOE ɛ4 allele did not. Amyloid-β42, t-tau, p-tau, and YKL-40 levels correlated weakly with PGRN in CSF. We found a weak correlation (r = 0.362) between plasma and CSF PGRN levels in cognitively normal individuals. Conclusions: Our findings do not support a diagnostic value of CSF PGRN in neurodegenerative diseases. Our data confirm that levels of PGRN in plasma do not reflect accurately levels in CSF in cognitively normal controls. These data should be considered in clinical trials aiming to increase PGRN.
Reversal of LTP-Like Cortical Plasticity in Alzheimer’s Disease Patients with Tau-Related Faster Clinical Progression
Authors: Koch Giacomo , Di Lorenzo Francesco , del Olmo Miguel Fernandez , Bonní Sonia , Ponzo Viviana , Caltagirone Carlo , Bozzali Marco , Martorana Alessandro
Published: January 2016

Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) concentrations of amyloid-β (Aβ), total tau (t-tau), and phosphorylated tau proteins are associated with different clinical progression in Alzheimer’s disease (AD). We enrolled forty newly diagnosed AD patients, who underwent lumbar puncture, and carried out a K-means cluster analysis based on CSF biomarkers levels, resulting in two AD patient groups: Cluster 1 showed relatively high levels of Aβ and low levels of tau; Cluster 2 showed relatively low levels of Aβ and high levels of tau. Cortical plasticity was tested using the intermittent and continuous theta burst stimulation (iTBS and cTBS) protocols evoking respectively long-term potentiation (LTP) and depression (LTD). Cholinergic transmission was tested by the short-latency afferent inhibition protocol. Neurophysiological evaluation showed that the two AD groups differed in terms of cortical plasticity: after iTBS, Cluster 2 patients showed a remarkable reversal of LTP toward LTD that was not observed in Cluster 1. LTD and central cholinergic transmission did not differ between groups. Patients were assessed longitudinally with Mini-Mental State Examination at 6, 12, and 18 month follow-ups. Cluster 2 AD had a faster cognitive decline already evident at the 12 month follow-up. High tau CSF levels were associated with LTD-like cortical plasticity and faster clinical progression. These results suggest that more aggressive tau pathology is associated with prominent LTD-like mechanisms of cortical plasticity and faster cognitive decline.
Multi-directionally non-linear magnetic equivalence circuit calculation (MACC) of rotational magnetization intensity in transformer cores
Authors: Pfützner Helmut , Shilyashki Georgi , Gerstbauer Erich , Trenner Gerald
Published: January 2016

This paper puts a novel methodology of ``multi-directionally non-linear magnetic equivalent-circuit calculation''(MACC) for discussion. It models transformer cores of Goss texture through local elements that are represented by non-linear magnetic resistances. From its concept, it allows for 2D or 3D distributions of induction components, considering arbitrary degrees of non-linearity and anisotropy. The present work describes modelling of rotational magnetization by means of a network of elements for flux in three different directions, the rolling direction(RD), the transverse direction (TD) and the diagonal direction (DD) in overlaps. Other directions are assumed to be ``hard'', thus being neglected. A 3-phase core package is modelled by 41 elements, assuming two main flux paths. Three sets of nonlinear permeability functions are attributed to the individual elements, starting with roughly estimated induction distributions. The corresponding system of Kirchhoff equations is solved in well known ways. Step-wise approximations of the set of induction components are performed until they correspond with the set of permeability values in acceptable grades. The resulting local distribution of induction components indicates maximum values of TD-components in the T-joint region and the adjoining yoke regions corresponding to maximum rotational magnetization. In comparison with experimental findings, the results of modelling show similar tendencies. However, as a specific advantage of MACC-modelling, it allows flexible and rapid checks of consequences of changes of material parameters and geometric parameters, respectively.
An Optimal Order Method for Multiple Roots in Case of Unknown Multiplicity
Authors: Jaiswal Jai
Published: January 2016

In the literature, recently, some three-step schemes involving four function evaluations for the solution of multiple roots of nonlinear equations, whose multiplicity is not known in advance, are considered, but they do not agree with Kung–Traub’s conjecture. The present article is devoted to the study of an iterative scheme for approximating multiple roots with a convergence rate of eight, when the multiplicity is hidden, which agrees with Kung–Traub’s conjecture. The theoretical study of the convergence rate is investigated and demonstrated. A few nonlinear problems are presented to justify the theoretical study.
Research on a Composite Power-Superimposed Ultrasonic Vibrator for Wire Drawing
Authors: Liu Shen , Shan Xiaobiao , Guo Kai , Xie Tao
Published: January 2016

Vibration power and amplitude are essential factors in ultrasonic drawing processes, especially for difficult-to-draw materials like titanium and its alloys. This paper presents a new composite power-superimposed ultrasonic vibrator for wire drawing which was driven by three separate ultrasonic transducers. The transducers were uniformly distributed around the circular cross section of the vibrator, with their axes along the radial direction and pointing to the center. The vibrator can concentrate the vibrational energy of multiple transducers and transform the radial vibration into a longitudinal vibrator because of the Poisson effect and therefore output larger vibration power and amplitude. In the paper, the four-terminal network method was used to establish the vibration equations of the vibrator. The FE model was established in ANSYS to investigate its characteristics under various excitation conditions. A prototype was manufactured and measurements were performed to verify the validation of FEA results. The results matched well with the theoretical results. It was found that the composite vibrator achieved an amplitude of about 40 μm when driven by square wave signals with 120° in phase difference, which implies a potential way of applying ultrasonic vibration to the processing of difficult-to-draw materials.
Acknowledgement to Reviewers of Atmosphere in 2015
Authors:   Atmosphere Editorial Office
Published: January 2016

The editors of Atmosphere would like to express their sincere gratitude to the following reviewers for assessing manuscripts in 2015. [...]
Acknowledgement to Reviewers of Brain Sciences in 2015
Authors:   Brain Sciences Editorial Office
Published: January 2016

The editors of Brain Sciences would like to express their sincere gratitude to the following reviewers for assessing manuscripts in 2015. [...]
Tobacco, Alcohol and Drug Use among Dental Undergraduates at One UK University in 2015
Authors: Puryer James , Wignall Rebecca
Published: January 2016

The aim of this study was determine the prevalence of tobacco, alcohol and illicit substance use among dental undergraduates at one UK university in 2015. A cross-sectional survey of all 344 dental undergraduates using an anonymous self-report questionnaire was carried out. The response rate was 77%, of which 29% were male and 71% female. Tobacco smoking was reported by 23.6% of males and 12.2% of females, with only 1.6% of females reporting to smoke ≥10 cigarettes per day. Alcohol consumption was reported by 85.5% of males and 84% of females, and reported levels of alcohol consumption increased since becoming undergraduates. Binge drinking was reported by 35.3% of males and 41% of female students. Only 2.6% of males and 0.5% of females reported to be current regular users of cannabis. The vast majority of respondents claimed to have never used any illicit substance. The only other reported regularly used substances by males was Ecstasy (1.3%) and by females were LSD (0.5%), Ecstasy (1.5%), Cocaine (0.5%), Inhalants (0.5%) and Ketamine (0.5%). These results are encouraging. Fewer students reported smoking than in the general population, levels of binge drinking were considerably lower than previously reported figures, as were the numbers of regular users of cannabis and other illicit substances.
The Entropy of Laughter: Discriminative Power of Laughter’s Entropy in the Diagnosis of Depression
Authors: Navarro Jorge , Del Moral Raquel , Cuesta-Alvaro Pedro , Lahoz-Beltra Rafael , Marijuán Pedro
Published: January 2016

Laughter is increasingly present in biomedical literature, both in analytical neurological aspects and in applied therapeutic fields. The present paper, bridging between the analytical and the applied, explores the potential of a relevant variable of laughter’s acoustic signature—entropy—in the detection of a widespread mental disorder, depression, as well as in gauging the severity of its diagnostic. In laughter, the Shannon–Wiener entropy of the distribution of sound frequencies, which is one of the key features distinguishing its acoustic signal from the utterances of spoken language, has not been a specific focus of research yet, although the studies of human language and of animal communication have pointed out that entropy is a very important factor regarding the vocal/acoustic expression of emotions. As the experimental survey of laughter in depression herein undertaken shows, it was possible to discriminate between patients and controls with an 82.1% accuracy just by using laughter’s entropy and by applying the decision tree procedure. These experimental results, discussed in the light of the current research on laughter, point to the relevance of entropy in the spontaneous bona fide extroversion of mental states toward other individuals, as the signal of laughter seems to imply. This is in line with recent theoretical approaches that rely on the optimization of a neuro-informational free energy (and associated entropy) as the main “stuff” of brain processing.
Acknowledgement to Reviewers of Economies in 2015
Authors:   Economies Editorial Office
Published: January 2016

The editors of Economies would like to express their sincere gratitude to the following reviewers for assessing manuscripts in 2015. [...]
Quantifying the Water-Energy-Food Nexus: Current Status and Trends
Authors: Chang Yuan , Li Guijun , Yao Yuan , Zhang Lixiao , Yu Chang
Published: January 2016

Water, energy, and food are lifelines for modern societies. The continuously rising world population, growing desires for higher living standards, and inextricable links among the three sectors make the water-energy-food (WEF) nexus a vibrant research pursuit. For the integrated delivery of WEF systems, quantifying WEF connections helps understand synergies and trade-offs across the water, energy, and food sectors, and thus is a critical initial step toward integrated WEF nexus modeling and management. However, current WEF interconnection quantifications encounter methodological hurdles. Also, existing calculation results are scattered across a wide collection of studies in multiple disciplines, which increases data collection and interpretation difficulties. To advance robust WEF nexus quantifications and further contribute to integrated WEF systems modeling and management, this study: (i) summarizes the estimate results to date on WEF interconnections; (ii) analyzes methodological and practical challenges associated with WEF interconnection calculations; and (iii) points out opportunities for enabling robust WEF nexus quantifications in the future.
Acknowledgement to Reviewers of Future Internet in 2015
Authors:   Future Internet Editorial Office
Published: January 2016

The editors of Future Internet would like to express their sincere gratitude to the following reviewers for assessing manuscripts in 2015. [...]
High Levels of Persistent Problem Drinking in Women at High Risk for HIV in Kampala, Uganda: A Prospective Cohort Study
Authors: Weiss Helen , Vandepitte Judith , Bukenya Justine , Mayanja Yunia , Nakubulwa Susan , Kamali Anatoli , Seeley Janet , Grosskurth Heiner
Published: January 2016

The aim of this study was to describe the epidemiology of problem drinking in a cohort of women at high-risk of HIV in Kampala, Uganda. Overall, 1027 women at high risk of HIV infection were followed from 2008 to 2013. The CAGE and AUDIT questionnaires were used to identify problem drinkers in the cohort. Interviewer-administered questionnaires were used to ascertain socio-demographic and behavioural factors. Blood and genital samples were tested for HIV and other sexually transmitted infections. At enrollment, most women (71%) reported using alcohol at least weekly and about a third reported having drunk alcohol daily for at least 2 weeks during the past 3 months. Over half (56%) were problem drinkers by CAGE at enrollment, and this was independently associated with vulnerability (being divorced/separated/widowed, less education, recruiting clients at bars/clubs, and forced sex at first sexual experience). Factors associated with problem drinking during follow-up included younger age, meeting clients in bars/clubs, number of clients, using drugs and HSV-2 infection. HIV prevalence was associated with drinking at enrollment, but not during follow-up. This longitudinal study found high levels of persistent problem drinking. Further research is needed to adapt and implement alcohol-focused interventions in vulnerable key populations in sub-Saharan Africa.
Photodynamic Therapy in Non-Gastrointestinal Thoracic Malignancies
Authors: Kidane Biniam , Hirpara Dhruvin , Yasufuku Kazuhiro
Published: January 2016

Photodynamic therapy has a role in the management of early and late thoracic malignancies. It can be used to facilitate minimally-invasive treatment of early endobronchial tumours and also to palliate obstructive and bleeding effects of advanced endobronchial tumours. Photodynamic therapy has been used as a means of downsizing tumours to allow for resection, as well as reducing the extent of resection necessary. It has also been used successfully for minimally-invasive management of local recurrences, which is especially valuable for patients who are not eligible for radiation therapy. Photodynamic therapy has also shown promising results in mesothelioma and pleural-based metastatic disease. As new generation photosensitizers are being developed and tested and methodological issues continue to be addressed, the role of photodynamic therapy in thoracic malignancies continues to evolve.
Acknowledgement to Reviewers of International Journal of Molecular Sciences in 2015
Authors:   International Journal of Molecular Sciences Editorial Office
Published: January 2016

The editors of International Journal of Molecular Sciences would like to express their sincere gratitude to the following reviewers for assessing manuscripts in 2015. [...]
Acknowledgement to Reviewers of Life in 2015
Authors:   Life Editorial Office
Published: January 2016

The editors of Life would like to express their sincere gratitude to the following reviewers for assessing manuscripts in 2015.
Deposition of Visible Light Active Photocatalytic Bismuth Molybdate Thin Films by Reactive Magnetron Sputtering
Authors: Ratova Marina , Kelly Peter , West Glen , Xia Xiaohong , Gao Yun
Published: January 2016

Bismuth molybdate thin films were deposited by reactive magnetron co-sputtering from two metallic targets in an argon/oxygen atmosphere, reportedly for the first time. Energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX) analysis showed that the ratio of bismuth to molybdenum in the coatings can be effectively controlled by varying the power applied to each target. Deposited coatings were annealed in air at 673 K for 30 min. The crystalline structure was assessed by means of Raman spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction (XRD). Oxidation state information was obtained by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). Photodegradation of organic dyes methylene blue and rhodamine B was used for evaluation of the photocatalytic properties of the coatings under a visible light source. The photocatalytic properties of the deposited coatings were then compared to a sample of commercial titanium dioxide-based photocatalytic product. The repeatability of the dye degradation reactions and photocatalytic coating reusability are discussed. It was found that coatings with a Bi:Mo ratio of approximately 2:1 exhibited the highest photocatalytic activity of the coatings studied; its efficacy in dye photodegradation significantly outperformed a sample of commercial photocatalytic coating.
The Changing Landscape of Breast Cancer: How Biology Drives Therapy
Authors: Friend Sarah , Royce Melanie
Published: January 2016

Breast cancer is the most prevalent life-threatening cancer in women. Optimizing therapy to increase cure rates in early stage disease, and improving life expectancy and palliation for advanced stages, are goals driving major areas of research. The armamentarium of targeted treatments for breast cancer is ever expanding as understanding of breast cancer biology deepens. A revolution in our treatment was heralded a decade ago by the introduction of trastuzumab for human epidermal receptor-2 positive (HER2+) disease resulting in remarkable reductions in recurrence and improvements in overall survival (OS). Advances continue to be made in other breast cancer subtypes targeting key activating pathways for therapeutic development. However, for these other targeted agents, improvement in OS has been elusive. This article focuses on the development of targeted therapy in breast cancer focusing primarily on the last 5 years, to illustrate that as we understand the complex pathways allowing the dysregulated cell to become malignant, it also propels us closer towards the promise of precision and personalized medicine.
Acknowledgement to Reviewers of Micromachines in 2015
Authors:   Micromachines Editorial Office
Published: January 2016

The editors of Micromachines would like to express their sincere gratitude to the following reviewers for assessing manuscripts in 2015. [...]
Antiproliferative and Antioxidant Activities and Mycosporine-Like Amino Acid Profiles of Wild-Harvested and Cultivated Edible Canadian Marine Red Macroalgae
Authors: Athukorala Yasantha , Trang Susan , Kwok Carmen , Yuan Yvonne
Published: January 2016

Antiproliferative and antioxidant activities and mycosporine-like amino acid (MAA) profiles of methanol extracts from edible wild-harvested (Chondrus crispus, Mastocarpus stellatus, Palmaria palmata) and cultivated (C. crispus) marine red macroalgae were studied herein. Palythine, asterina-330, shinorine, palythinol, porphyra-334 and usujirene MAAs were identified in the macroalgal extracts by LC/MS/MS. Extract reducing activity rankings were (p < 0.001): wild P. palmata > cultivated C. crispus = wild M. stellatus > wild low-UV C. crispus > wild high-UV C. crispus; whereas oxygen radical absorbance capacities were (p < 0.001): wild M. stellatus > wild P. palmata > cultivated C. crispus > wild low-UV C. crispus > wild high-UV C. crispus. Extracts were antiproliferative against HeLa and U-937 cells (p < 0.001) from 0.125–4 mg/mL, 24 h. Wild P. palmata and cultivated C. crispus extracts increased (p < 0.001) HeLa caspase-3/7 activities and the proportion of cells arrested at Sub G1 (apoptotic) compared to wild-harvested C. crispus and M. stellatus extracts. HeLa cells incubated with wild P. palmata and cultivated C. crispus extracts also exhibited morphological changes characteristic of apoptosis (shrinkage, rounding). Thus, extracts rich in low-polarity usujirene and polar palythine and asterina-330 MAAs were antiproliferative as inducers of apoptosis in HeLa cells.
Cytotoxic Compounds from Juglans sinensis Dode Display Anti-Proliferative Activity by Inducing Apoptosis in Human Cancer Cells
Authors: Lee Yoo , Cui Jun , Lee Jun , Han Ah-Reum , Lee Eun , Jang Ho , Seo Eun
Published: January 2016

Phytochemical investigation of the bark of Juglans sinensis Dode (Juglandaceae) led to the isolation of two active compounds, 8-hydroxy-2-methoxy-1,4-naphthoquinone (1) and 5-hydroxy-2-methoxy-1,4-naphthoquinone (2), together with 15 known compounds 3–17. All compounds were isolated from this plant for the first time. The structures of 1 and 2 were elucidated by spectroscopic data analysis, including 1D and 2D NMR experiments. Compounds 1–17 were tested for their cytotoxicity against the A549 human lung cancer cell line; compounds 1 and 2 exhibited significant cytotoxicity and additionally had potent cytotoxicity against six human cancer cell lines, MCF7 (breast cancer), SNU423 (liver cancer), SH-SY5Y (neuroblastoma), HeLa (cervical cancer), HCT116 (colorectal cancer), and A549 (lung cancer). In particular, breast, colon, and lung cancer cells were more sensitive to the treatment using compound 1. In addition, compounds 1 and 2 showed strong cytotoxic activity towards human breast cancer cells MCF7, HS578T, and T47D, but not towards MCF10A normal-like breast cells. They also inhibited the colony formation of MCF7, A549, and HCT116 cells in a dose-dependent manner. Flow cytometry analysis revealed that the percentage of apoptotic cells significantly increased in MCF7 cells upon the treatment with compounds 1 and 2. The mechanism of cell death caused by compounds 1 and 2 may be attributed to the upregulation of Bax and downregulation of Bcl2. These findings suggest that compounds 1 and 2 may be regarded as potential therapeutic agents against cancer.
Dietary Changes over 25 Years in Tianjin Residents: Findings from the 1986–1988, 2000–2004, and 2008–2011 Nutrition Surveys
Authors: Wang Xuan , Wu Yuntang , Zhang Xumei , Zhang Meilin , Huang Guowei
Published: January 2016

In China, the rates of chronic diseases characteristic of countries in nutritional transition have been increasing. However, few studies have examined diet changes in recent decades. We analyzed dietary changes in Tianjin, China. The data in this descriptive, population-based study in ≥18-year-old adults were collected from three surveys from 1986 to 2011. Food consumption and nutrient intake were compared among the three surveys separately for urban and rural areas. Differences in food consumption between urban and rural areas in different periods were also shown. The consumption of cereals, vegetables, and oils decreased, and that of fruits and beans increased in both urban and rural areas. Moreover, the total consumption of animal foods, especially milk, increased (0.01% in 1986–1988; 1.72% in 2008–2011) in rural areas. Although milk consumption also increased in urban areas, consumption of other animal foods decreased (19.33% in 1986–1988; 13.74% in 2008–2011). Meanwhile, cereals consumption rebounded from 22.63% in 2000–2004 to 29.75% in 2008–2011. Moreover, the lack of dairy products and some nutrients, e.g., retinol, calcium, and dietary fiber (<80% of recommended nutrient intake), in the diet persisted in both urban and rural areas. In conclusion, differences in diet between urban and rural areas decreased over time.
Acknowledgement to Reviewers of Pharmacy in 2015
Authors:   Pharmacy Editorial Office
Published: January 2016

The editors of Pharmacy would like to express their sincere gratitude to the following reviewers for assessing manuscripts in 2015. [...]
Acknowledgement to Reviewers of Polymers in 2015
Authors:   Polymers Editorial Office
Published: January 2016

The editors of Polymers would like to express their sincere gratitude to the following reviewers for assessing manuscripts in 2015. [...]
Acknowledgement to Reviewers of Publications in 2015
Authors:   Publications Editorial Office
Published: January 2016

The editors of Publications would like to express their sincere gratitude to the following reviewers for assessing manuscripts in 2015. [...]
Acknowledgement to Reviewers of Robotics in 2015
Authors:   Robotics Editorial Office
Published: January 2016

The editors of Robotics would like to express their sincere gratitude to the following reviewers for assessing manuscripts in 2015. [...]
An Investigation of a Novel Cross-Calibration Method of FY-3C/VIRR against NPP/VIIRS in the Dunhuang Test Site
Authors: Gao Caixia , Zhao Yongguang , Li Chuanrong , Ma Lingling , Wang Ning , Qian Yonggang , Ren Lu
Published: January 2016

Radiometric cross-calibration of Earth observation sensors is an effective approach to evaluate instrument calibration performance, identify and diagnose calibration anomalies, and quantify the consistency of measurements from different sensors. In this study a novel cross-calibration method is proposed, taking into account the spectral and viewing angle differences adequately; the method is applied to the FY-3C/Visible Infrared Radiometer (VIRR), taking the Suomi National Polar-Orbiting Partnership (NPP)/Visible Infrared Imaging Radiometer Suite (VIIRS) as a reference. The results show that the relative difference between the two sets increases from January to May 2014, and becomes lower for the data on 24 July, 11 September, and 16 September, within approximately 10%. This phenomenon is caused by the updating of the calibration coefficients in the VIRR datasets with results from a vicarious method on June 2014. After performing an approximate estimation of the uncertainty, it is demonstrated that this calibration has a total uncertainty of 5.5%–6.0%, which is mainly from the uncertainty of the Bidirectional Reflectance Distribution Function model.
ZumBeat: Evaluation of a Zumba Dance Intervention in Postmenopausal Overweight Women
Authors: Rossmeissl Anja , Lenk Soraya , Hanssen Henner , Donath Lars , Schmidt-Trucksäss Arno , Schäfer Juliane
Published: January 2016

Physical inactivity is a major public health concern since it increases individuals’ risk of morbidity and mortality. A subgroup at particular risk is postmenopausal overweight women. The aim of this study was to assess the feasibility and effect of a 12-week ZumBeat dance intervention on cardiorespiratory fitness and psychosocial health. Postmenopausal women with a body mass index (BMI) >30 kg/m2 or a waist circumference >94 cm who were not regularly physically active were asked to complete a 12-week ZumBeat dance intervention with instructed and home-based self-training sessions. Before and after the intervention, peak oxygen consumption (VO2peak) was assessed on a treadmill; and body composition and several psychometric parameters (including quality of life, sports-related barriers and menopausal symptoms) were investigated. Of 17 women (median age: 54 years; median BMI: 30 kg/m2) enrolled in the study, 14 completed the study. There was no apparent change in VO2peak after the 12-week intervention period (average change score: −0.5 mL/kg/min; 95% confidence interval: −1.0, 0.1); but, quality of life had increased, and sports-related barriers and menopausal symptoms had decreased. A 12-week ZumBeat dance intervention may not suffice to increase cardiorespiratory fitness in postmenopausal overweight women, but it increases women’s quality of life.
The reliability of family reconstitution data in German village. Genealogies (Ortssippenbücher)
Authors: Knodel John , Shorter R.
Published: January 2016

Village genealogies (Ortssippenbiicher) containing the reconstituted family histories of every family to have lived in the community so far as they can be reconstructed from the parish or community records are a unique and apparently reliable source of historical demographie data for Germany. A comparison of the content of several of the Ortssippenbiicher with the original parish register entries to check the accuracy and comple- teness of the transcription of births (both legitimat e and illegitimate), deaths, and marriages revealed an extremely high level of accuracy. A reconstitution of a sample of families from several of the Ortssippenbiicher according to the established rules of modem historical demography yielded results largely identical to those reported by the original compiler. In addition, the calculation of selected demographie statistics from samples of families from fourteen Ortssippenbiicher typically yielded consistent and plausible results. Because of the high quality of many Germon parish records and the accuracy of the genealogist-compilers, Ortssippenbiicher compare favorably with the family reconstitution data compiled and ana- lyzed by historical demographers in other European countries.
Mobilité et fécondité d'après les fiches de famille
Authors: Henry Louis
Published: January 2016

Family reconstitution has made it possible thoroughly to analyze fertility in the past, but as this analysis mainly deals with sedentary couples, it may be feared that findings are not valid for the whole set of couples. The migration of some couples therefore poses a problem.

The approach used in this article is to analyze some 6 000 family car as corresponding to marriages taking place from 1740 to 1769 in the Northern half of France, in rural areas.

The author first compares the number of marriages to that of dissolution of marriages by death, in order to estimate how many married couples migrated to cities. Then, he assesses the proportion of couples who remained in the same place during ail their married life, as weil as the mean duration of such unions and the mobility of the couples who left the village where they had settled just after their marriage.

Finaly, by comparing the mean number of children per marriage for migrant and for sedentary couples, he can calculate fertility differentials between the sedentary couples and the whole set of couples.
La fécondité des mariages de 1670 à 1829 dans le quart nord-est de la France
Authors: Houdaille Jacques
Published: January 2016

Este estudio se basa en la reconstitucion de las familias en doce pueblos escogidos por sondeo aleatorio cuya pobiacion total alcanzaba 10 583 en 1821. Debido a que cinco de dichos pueblos ne fueron escogidos al principio sino que sirvieron para reemplazar otros pueblos, hubo que ponderar los resultados. La proporcion de los nacimientos que nos fueron registrados, debido a las migraciones de las parejas y a omisiones, se puede estimar por un metodo que toma en cuenta los casamientos de los hijos de las parejas que se estudian. Dicha proporcion paso del 11 % al fin del siglo XVII al 2,5 a comienzos del si- glo XIX.

Hasta principos del siglo, la fecundidad en esta parte de Francia era mas alta que en el Noroeste y el Suroeste debido a intervalos mas cortos entre los nacimientos. Despues de una baja muy lenta durante todo el siglo XVIII, disminuyo mas rapidamente que en otras partes, despues de la Revolucion. Esta evolucion particular se debe al hecho de que entre los pueblos estudiados hay una pequena ciudad, ubicada en la Lorena de habla francesa donde le fecundidad empezo a bajar desde la mitad del siglo XVIII, o tal vez antes. Varios metodos se utili- zaron para localizar ms precisamente el periodo en que aparecio la limitacion de los nacimientos (distribution de la edad de las madres al nacimiento de su ultimo hijo, analisis transversal).

Las concepciones prenuptiales eran mas corrientes en el Noreste que en otras partes de Francia (el 7 % al fin del siglo XVII). Su proporcion aumento a lo largo del siglo XVIII. Fue siempre mas alta en la pequena ciudad que en los pueblos rurales de la muestra.
Boundary formation and diffusion of plague : swiss epidemics from 1562 to 1669
Authors: Eckert Edward A.
Published: January 2016

Huit épidémies de peste distinctes ont atteint la Suisse entre 1563 et 1669. Les quatre plus importantes ont été la cause d'une mortalité élevée dans une grande partie des grandes villes, des petites villes et des localités rurales du pays.

Chacune de ces épidémies provenait des régions voisines de la France ou de l'Allemagne et s'est propagée en Suisse comme une vague qui, en quelques années, a recouvert presque tout le pays.

Dans la mesure où la Suisse peut être considérée comme représentative des régions d'Europe centrale, la distribution de la peste peut y être définie comme une série d'épidémies régionales, la propagation d'une région à l'autre pouvant persister pendant dix ans au maximum.

Des épidémies si prolongées donnent à la peste un rôle important parmi les facteurs qui agissent sur la population.

En outre, le modèle de diffusion des épidémies de peste en Europe continentale est différent de celui des régions maritimes et cette maladie cesse plus tôt en Europe centrale.
Johann Peter Sussmilch : point alpha ou oméga de la science démographique naïve ?
Authors: Hecht Jacqueline
Published: January 2016

J.-P. Süssmilch (1707-1767), auteur du premier traité de démographie en toutes langues, Die göttliche Ordnung, ou « L'Ordre divin » (1741 et 1761-1762), a-t-il ouvert ou a-t-il clos une première période dans l'histoire de la science démographique ? Cet « homme ivre de Dieu » a bénéficié d'une formation à la fois médicale, juridique, théologique, philosophique, scientifique, et linguistique. Persuadé que l'homme et l'univers sont régis par un ordre beau, grand et parfait institué par la Providence, Süssmilch voit dans le Créateur l'arithméticien politique suprême, immédiatement au-dessous duquel il place le Prince, dont le devoir essentiel est de favoriser l'accomplissement du commandement divin : « Croissez et multipliez ». A son programme économique s'ajoute une politique de population reposant sur une analyse approfondie des grandes variables démographiques : la mortalité, « fondement de tout le reste », qui obéit, elle aussi, à un ordre très strict ; la nuptialité, qui est pour lui la source même de la fécondité et de la multiplication ; et la natalité, caractérisée surtout par l'ordre qui se manifeste dans la reproduction des deux sexes (pour 20 filles naissent 21 garçons).

Auteur d'une table de mortalité célèbre et contestée, Süssmilch a exercé une indéniable influence, tant sur le plan pratique que sur le plan théorique. Dès la fin du XVIIIe cependant, les commentateurs ne retiendront que la partie purement scientifique de son œuvre et en rejetteront l'aspect théologique. Primitif en avance sur son temps, Süssmilch, créateur de la Bevölkerungslehre, représente à la fois l'aboutissement de la démographie primitive et le point de départ de la démographie moderne.
Deux siècles après : Montyon, véritable auteur des « Recherches et considérations sur la population de la France », de Moheau
Authors: Lecuir Jean
Published: January 2016

Qui est l'auteur de ce célèbre livre de démographie paru en 1778 ? La controverse, on le sait a déjà fait beaucoup d'encre entre partisans et adversaires de Montyon. E. Esmonin, il y a vingt ans, ne parvint pas à imposer sa conviction, malgré un dossier fourni en faveur de l'intendant Montyon, futur chancelier du comte d'Artois. Depuis, le débat a permis d'apporter des informations sur la personne de J.B. Moheau, sans toutefois prouver qu'il ait eu une part active, dans l'élaboration de ce livre. La recherche de J. Lecuir a consisté à reprendre l'ensemble du problème, dès son point de départ, principalement à travers les périodiques de l'époque et les archives de Montyon. Par quelque bout que l'on prenne l'éche- veau — la possibilité de réaliser, la méthode, les statistiques, la nature de la réflexion, l'environnement socio-culturel, l'autorité scientifique — , chaque fois Moheau disparaît et Montyon s'impose, avec des cautions aussi solides que celle de Laplace ou de l'Académie royale des sciences de Stockholm. D'ailleurs avec Montyon, on retrouve l'entourage de Maurepas, Trudaine et La Michodière, tant il est vrai que les préoccupations démographiques sont au cœur des débats politiques du temps. Les matériaux, laissés par Montyon dans ses archives, permettent de replacer les Recherches comme le premier temps d'un traité du bon administrateur et donc de comprendre pourquoi ce livre n'a pas eu de suite proprement démographique.
La statistique démographique officielle de 1815 à 1870 en France
Authors: Le Mée René
Published: January 2016

Après un bref rappel historique sur la création et l'œuvre de la Statistique Générale de la France de 1835 à 1870, étude de l'évolution de la statistique démographique en France.

Deux parties : le mouvement de la population, les recensements.

Sur le premier point, deux périodes apparaissent. Sous la Monarchie Censitaire, il est constaté une faiblesse relative des sources et une réglementation imprécise marquée en outre par la dualité de deux Administrations ayant des préoccupations différentes. Dès le début du Second Empire, uniformisation des règles et des techniques d'élaboration s'associent au meilleur enregistrement des faits d'état civil.

Dans la deuxième partie, chaque recensement de la période est analysé à partir des textes le prescrivant et de la documentation publiée... ou conservée manuscrite. S'y ajoutent quelques brèves considérations sur le déroulement des opérations dans la mesure où celui-ci a eu un impact sur la qualité des résultats obtenus.
Endogamie et communauté villageoises : pratique matrimoniale à Romainville au XVIIIe siècle
Authors: Burguière André
Published: January 2016

La présente recherche a pour origine la constatation que le nombre des dossiers de dispense de mariage pour consanguinité variait considérablement d'une paroisse à l'autre sans relation directe avec l'importance de la paroisse. Or la répartition géographique de cette consanguinité déclarée est relativement constante ; il apparaît également que ces demandes sont avant tout le fait de vignerons.

D'où le choix de Romainville où, de 1718 à 1787, 44 % des mariages endogames sont des mariages consanguins. La petitesse de la paroisse, son essor démographique brutal à la fin du siècle et surtout la proximité de la capitale auraient dû amener une ouverture. Pourtant, près des deux tiers des mariages sont endogames, ce qui ne peut se concevoir sans un taux de consanguinité élevé. Les dispenses concernent donc un nombre très élevé de mariages.

Il est clair que l'impératif n'est pas de se marier au sein de sa parenté, mais de se marier chez soi. Les mobiles économiques sont évidents. Certaines familles s'excluent cependant de l'isolât pour mener une politique matrimoniale différente : les meuniers, maréchaux-ferrants, quelques commerçants et même quelques vignerons.

Entre les deux groupes, le seul brassage vient des remariages. A l'intérieur du groupe endogame, on observe une place considérable des « lignages », lesquels ont tissé des liens avec les environs immédiats. Quant au « monde extérieur », il commence au-delà des paroisses limitrophes.
Les médecins de l'Ouest au XIXe siècle
Authors: Léonard Jacques
Published: January 2016

Dans cet article, l'auteur étudie divers aspects de la médecine dans l'Ouest de la France : médicalisation, formation, conditions financières, attitudes sociales, religieuses, niveau de vie.

L'Ouest apparaît moins médicalisé que la moyenne nationale et les arrondissements terriens et bretonnants sont encore moins bien encadrés que les zones urbanisées. Les officiers de santé jouent un rôle important mais ils sont eux-mêmes concurrencés soit par les guérisseurs soit même par des religieuses.

Au total l'évolution de 1803 à 1892 fait apparaître un grand progrès : au départ une pléthore de praticiens mal formés ; à l'arrivée des associations reconnues et écoutées. « Dans cette trajectoire, s'inscrivent l'unification et le renforcement des études médicales. »
Famille et tenure dans les Pyrénées du Moyen-Age au XIXe siècle
Authors: Poumarède Jacques
Published: January 2016

L'auteur souligne l'originalité de la famille pyrénéenne, au cœur même des régions qui connaissent la famille-souche. L'attachement à la « maison » détermine les coutumes d'héritage (l'aîné hérite seul), de mariage ; le statut des cadets, condamnés au célibat, à la subordination, à la misère. Il conclut sur la remise en cause progressive du système sous la poussée démographique aux XVIIe et XVIIIe siècles. Mais le droit d'aînesse survit, grâce à d'habiles formules, jusqu'au milieu du XIXe siècle chez les ruraux nantis.
La mortalité maternelle autrefois : une étude comparée (de la France de l'ouest à l'Utah)
Authors: Bardet Jean-Pierre , Lynch Katherine A. , Mineau Geraldine P. , Hainsworth M. , Skolnick M.
Published: January 2016

When studying the death rate of women who died during or soon after child birth, a number of special precautions should be taken : one should have a large sampling, a methodical choice of observations, and information about the conditions of delivery.

Although deaths in this category can sometimes be attributed to various infections, infectious diseases were not as important a cause of death as is generally believed. A comparative study of different parts of the world - west France and the state of Utah - allow us to test this hypothesis and examine other éléments which have an influence on the death rates of both women and children.
Differential child mortality in pre-industrial England : the example of Cartmel, Cumbria, 1600-1750
Authors: Finlay Roger
Published: January 2016

Cartmel est une communauté rurale des hautes terres du Nord-Ouest de l'Angleterre. Les résultats obtenus à partir d'une reconstitution des familles sont confrontés avec d'autres résultats anglais. La recherche présentée ici diffère des autres car elle essaie d'établir des tables d'espérance de vie pour des sous- groupes à l'intérieur de la population de la paroisse ; les recherches précédentes le faisaient au contraire pour un ensemble de paroisses différentes dont l'environnement pouvait être très variable, et ne pas correspondre à des groupes sociaux homogènes.

Les taux de mortalité infantile des garçons et des filles varient peu, à Cartmel comme dans le reste du pays ; la taille de l'habitat et les facteurs socio- économiques jouent un rôle différentiel essentiel. Les ruraux bénéficient de bien meilleures conditions de survie que les urbains : à Cartmel, l'espérance de vie est élevée parce que le peuplement est dispersé. Par ailleurs, la différence entre la mortalité des enfants de riches et celle des enfants de pauvres est bien plus grande que celle entre garçons et filles : les enfants de riches ont de bien plus grandes chances de survie.
Présentation (rapport présenté au colloque organisé par la Société de Démographie Historique Paris, 1er décembre 1979)
Authors: Gouesse Jean-Marie
Published: January 2016

One cannot speak of choices without discussing constraints. Insofar as the present study is concerned, the most évident constraints are those imposed by 1) laws and norms such as monogamy and prohibitions against mixed marriages and incest ; 2) the structure of the populations being studied, i.e. the number of marriageable young men and women in the same age group ; and 3) paternal attitudes and social models, all of which affect the freedom of choice of young women and widows in choosing a husband.
Présentation
Authors: Chamoux Antoinette
Published: January 2016

La femme seule, celle qui vit sans conjoint, n'est pas une marginale dans les populations du passé. L'importance démographique et sociale des célibataires, veuves, délaissées ou divorcées vivant avec ou sans enfants est bien trop souvent négligée. Malgré la variété des sources et des approches scientifiques, l'ensemble des contributions sur le thème « la femme seule et son travail » en porte témoignage. Assurément la femme seule existe plus en ville qu'à la campagne dont elle est souvent originaire. La ville est de tout temps un marché du travail féminin, surtout du travail domestique. Les femmes y sont plus fréquemment chefs de ménage qu'en milieu rural.
La femme seule en Chine
Authors: Cartier Michel
Published: January 2016

L'existence de femmes seules en Chine paraît relever du paradoxe. Du point de vue de la coutume et du droit traditionnel la femme reste une éternelle mineure ; elle est toute sa vie sous la tutelle de son père, de son mari ou, éventuellement, de son fils. Dans les faits, bien que ne participant pas au travail agricole, une certaine autonomie économique peut lui être assurée soit sous la forme de lots de terre (régime de distribution antérieur à 780), soit par la libre disposition de sa dot. La littérature romanesque présente des cas, peut-être marginaux, de veuves ou filles en fuite vivant seules.
La condition féminine dans une structure d'assistance à Rome : aspects démographiques et sociaux
Authors: Gemini F. , Sonino E.
Published: January 2016

This article is divided into two parts. The first deals with the founding and growth of a women's residence established by the church in Rome in 1672. The second concerns the women who lived there and involves an analysis of the age of the women when they entered the institution as well as a study of the under which they left, and the death rate of those who stayed behind.
La femme devant l'allaitement
Authors: Chamoux Antoinette
Published: January 2016

Au moment même où apparaît l'attachement à l'enfant dans les milieux éclairés, le refus de l'allaitement maternel se généralise. On se demande ici quelles sont les raisons susceptibles de pousser une mère à mettre son nouveau-né en nourrice : mauvaise lactation, travail ou obligations sociales. Si l'on passe en revue les désagréments, la fatigue, les troubles divers que cause la présence d'un nourrisson au sein, on comprend mieux pourquoi une femme peut renoncer à nourrir son enfant. Les soucis matériels et physiques sont, à notre avis, plus difficiles à affronter en ville qu'à la campagne, où, de plus, le régime alimentaire — en particulier le boire — serait plus favorable à la lactation.

Il est cependant probable que c'est la rapide reprise des rapports sexuels après l'accouchement qui est responsable de l'éloignement du nouveau-né, avec l'approbation du clergé. Assurément, à la recherche d'une plus grande liberté individuelle, les femmes du XVIIIe et du XIXe siècles ont vécu autrement que nous le lien parent-nourrisson et d'autres formes d'amour maternel.
L'allaitement artificiel des nourrissons avant Pasteur
Authors: Rollet Catherine
Published: January 2016

Le témoignage des médecins-inspecteurs, chargés vers 1883 de la Protection des Enfants du premier âge, éclaire les raisons qui ont conduit les parents à confier leurs enfants à des nourrices « au biberon », alors même que l'allaitement « artificiel » était jugé dangereux. D'une part, dans la moitié nord du pays, les nourrices ont refusé d'allaiter un autre enfant que le leur. Par ailleurs, dans la même région, l'adoption du biberon a représenté pour les parents un moyen de s'affranchir progressivement de la forme traditionnelle de l'envoi en nourrice.