bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
ORIGINAL ARTICLE: Computerized visuo‐spatial memory test as a supplementary screening test for dementia
Authors: MAKI Yohko , YOSHIDA Hiroshi , YAMAGUCHI Haruyasu 
Published: September 2010

AbstractBackground:  To prepare for a super‐aging society, effective dementia screening tests are required. The most salient deficit appearing from the early stages of dementia/Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a deterioration in memory. The Hasegawa Dementia Scale‐revised (HDS‐R) and the Mini‐Mental State Examination (MMSE) are widely used in Japan to screen for dementia. Both place an emphasis on memory function, but neither examines visuo‐spatial memory (VSM) function, even though VSM deficits are a sensitive marker for the detection of conversion to dementia. Furthermore, brief tests of VSM that are appropriate for screening have not been standardized. Thus, in the present study, we devised a brief, computer‐aided short‐term VSM test.Methods:  Sixty‐six aged people were evaluated. Using the Clinical Dementia Rating (CDR), it was found that 29 could be considered normal controls (NC; CDR 0), 10 had mild cognitive impairment (MCI; CDR 0.5), 15 had mild dementia (CDR 1), and 12 had moderate to severe dementia (CDR 2–3). The VSM test estimated how many locations each subject could memorize. Several numbered circles were shown on a monitor and subjects were required to memorize the location of these circles sequentially. After the numbers on the circles on the screen had disappeared, the subjects were required to indicate the circles in ascending order. A touch panel screen was used for this test to make it easier. The HDS‐R was applied to subjects with MCI and dementia.Results:  The mean (±SD) VSM score in subjects with MCI (5.70 ± 0.96) was significantly lower than that in NC subjects (6.69 ± 0.82), but significantly higher than that in subjects classified as CDR 1 (4.67 ± 0.87). There was no significant difference in VSM scores between subjects classified as CDR 1 and CDR 2–3 (3.80 ± 0.80). There was a moderate significant correlation between VSM and HDS‐R scores.Conclusion:  In the present study, the VSM test detected differences in VSM function among NC subjects and subjects with MCI and mild dementia. The software program for the VSM test is distributed for free so that it can be widely used.
La crise mondiale et au‐delà: modèles de croissance durable pour les pays en développement
Authors: GHOSH Jayati 
Published: September 2010

Résumé.Malgré des signes récents de reprise de la production, relancer simplement le modèle de croissance qui s'est effondré en 2008–09 aggravera, au niveau national et mondial, les déséquilibres à l'origine de la crise – au détriment de l'économie réelle, du développement équitable et de la reprise de l'emploi. Il est aussi évident que le modèle environnemental n'est pas durable. Aussi, l'auteur préconise un vaste programme politique, notamment réformer le système financier international, développer des stratégies réorientées sur la demande intérieure stimulée par les salaires et une agriculture viable, promouvoir la fiscalité relative aux technologies plus écologiques et aux choix de consommation, et engager des politiques sociales de redistribution qui réduiront les inégalités et agiront comme des stabilisateurs macroéconomiques lors des récessions.
Perspectiva jurídica de la crisis económica de 2008
Authors: SUPIOT Alain 
Published: September 2010

Resumen.La implosión que sufrieron los mercados financieros en 2008 fue síntoma de la crisis subyacente que padecen el derecho y las instituciones debido a la utopía neoliberal de un «mercado total», omnipresente. Se trata de la despolitización «científica» de la economía y la conversión plena en mercancías del trabajo, la tierra, el dinero y el derecho, pues la competencia llega hasta la elección del ordenamiento jurídico más complaciente («law shopping»). Los mercados financieros fueron los primeros en desplomarse —al ser los que más se desreglamentaron—, y los contribuyentes están pagando ahora la factura. Hasta los mercados de recursos naturales y de «recursos humanos» están amenazados. El autor aboga por un retorno al espíritu de la Declaración de Filadelfia de 1944 y porel restablecimiento del imperio de la ley a fin de acabar con la subordinación de la humanidad a la eficiencia económica.
Las respuestas incompletas a la crisis, su factura socioeconómica y sus consecuencias programáticas
Authors: TORRES Raymond 
Published: September 2010

Resumen.La actuación incompletafrente a la crisis ha acarreado secuelas. Desde el principio se hizo hincapié en los estímulos a la economía, en reducir las pérdidas de empleos y en el sostén a los estratos más débiles. Asíse logró impedir otra Gran Depresión, a costa de ahondar los déficits públicos, pero se cometió el error de salvar los bancos a la derivasin reformar el sistema financiero disfuncional que había desencadenado la crisis. Ahora, la reacción de los mercados financieros a la elevación del endeudamiento público ha hecho volver al mundo al rumbo tradicional de una economía política de libre mercado, saneamiento de la hacienda pública, adelgazamiento del Estado y retroceso de la protección social. Ahora acechan dos peligros: la agravación de la desigualdady la inestabilidad económica.
Experimental ocular acute hypertension‐induced chromatinic alterations in astrocytic cells in rat optic nerve
Authors: Pescosolido N. , Scarsella G. , Risuleo G. , Cristofanilli M. , Cardini C. , de Feo G. , Melchionda E. 
Published: September 2010

SummaryThe effects of ocular acute hypertension experimentally induced on the astrocyte cells of rat have been studied. Evaluation was made of the damage to the chromatin of those cells by means of cytochemical (haematoxylin‐eosin) analysis and of the state of fragmentation of the DNA by means of the TUNEL technique as well as the protective effect of the peroxide scavenger, troxol, on those events.
Pseudoexfoliatio capsulae and endothelin‐1 plasma levels
Authors: Possati G. L. , Rossi A. , Moretti M. , Torregiani A. 
Published: September 2010

M. CelliniSummaryThe authors found an increase of endothelin‐1 (ET‐1) plasma levels in patients with pseudoexfoliatio syndrome (PXS):2.730±0.224 pg/ml vs 1.420±0.30S pg/ml.With Color Doppler Imaging (CDI) they found in PXS patients a decrease of peak systolic velocity values in the posterior ciliary arteries that were 12.725 ± 2.536 cm/sec vs 15.450 ± 3.173 cm/sec (p<0.049) while the resistance values were increased 0.640 ± 0.051 vs 0.548 ± 0.058 (p<0.001).The increase of ET‐1 plasma levels may assess the vasospasm and uveal tissue hypoxia.
Deficit‐undamaged visual field area monitoring in glaucomatous patients with advanced perimetric damage: its usefulness
Authors: Corallo G. , Monaco M. , Guglielminetti E. , Cicinelli S. , Calabria G. 
Published: September 2010

SummaryThis report contains the observations of the authors on the behaviour with time of the visual field areas (VF) which appear undamaged by deficit within the perimetric findings where at the same time there is advanced glaucomatous damage. A retrospective study has been made on the records of a Humphrey perimeter 640 VFA relating to glaucomatous patients with these perimetric characteristics in whom at least 12 examinations (programme “Central 30‐2 threshold test”) had been made and who, for a good part of the period of observation at least, had recorded a topographic stability of the deficits. There were found 12 series of examinations responding to the required necessities. The analysis of the findings used a method that separated from the global mean deviation (MD) that part concerning the pathological area and that referring to the “healthy” area of the visual field (VF).In 7 of the 8 cases where, at a certain point in the follow‐up, there became evident a trend towards worsening, there was also a significant increase in the MD of the undamaged, which occurred before the deterioration of the “healthy” area became evident by the appearance of “probability symbols” in the “total deviation” map. In the 4 cases where there was stability with time, the MD values relating to the undamaged area of the VF were quite constant with time.
Ocular haemodynamics and nitric oxide in normal pressure glaucoma
Authors: Galassi F. , Sodi A. , Ucci F. , Renieri G. , Pieri B. , Masini E. 
Published: September 2010

SummaryThe authors studied the ocular haemodynamics by means of the Color Doppler Imaging (CDI) technique and the levels of cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP), the intracellular mediator of NO action in plasma and the aqueous humour in a Normal Pressure Glaucoma group and in a normal group. They found significant alterations of both the velocities, systolic and diastolic, in the Ophthalmic Artery and lower cGMP levels in NPGs than in the controls. These data suggest that a disorder of NO regulation processes might be involved in blood supply to the optic nerve and in aqueous humour outflow.
Corneal thickness in glaucoma: an important parameter?
Authors: Brusini P. , Miani F. , Tosoni C. 
Published: September 2010

SummaryCentral corneal thickness was measured by pachometry in 49 patients with primary open‐angle glaucoma (POAG), 41 with ocular hypertension (OHT), 14 with normal tension glaucoma (NTG) and 48 normal subjects. The mean corneal thickness of the OHT patients was significantly greater than that of the normal control group. The NTG patients, on the other hand, had a cornea on average thinner than the normals. These differences may cause misclassification of normals with a thick cornea as ocular hypertensive eyes or, contrarywise, cause those normals whose IOP is underestimated because of a thin cornea to be classed as NTG patients.
Diagnostic procedures for venous problems
Authors: Kendler Michael , Zajitschek Jörg , Simon Jan C. , Wetzig Tino 
Published: September 2010

SummaryVenous diseases are a common worldwide problem. Numerous methods for the evaluation of the venous system are available. The major objectives include the diagnosis and medically relevant classification of varicose vein disease, as well as the identification and assessment of hemodynamic disturbances. In addition, it is necessary to characterize and classify disturbances of the deep venous system and to differentiate between primary and secondary varicose veins. The physician should also exclude or detect and classify concomitant peripheral arterial occlusive disease, and an accompanying disorder of lymphatic drainage. The diagnostic evaluation of venous disorders, depending on the severity of the disease, includes as standard the use of Doppler sonography. Light reflection rheography (LRR), photoplethysmography (PPG), venous occlusion plethysmography and phlebodynamometry (PD) complete the hemodynamic evaluation. The standard imaging technique now routinely used is duplex color scanning. More complex imaging studies include ascending and descending phlebography computed tomography or magnetic resonance imaging. In selected cases invasive investigations or serological tests may complement the diagnostic work‐up.
Forming the first planetary systems: debris around Galactic thick disc stars
Authors: Sheehan C. K. W. , Greaves J. S. , Bryden G. , Rieke G. H. , Su K. Y. L. , Wyatt M. C. , Beichman C. A. 
Published: September 2010

Abstract
The thick disc contains stars formed within the first Gyr of Galactic history, and little is known about their planetary systems. The Spitzer MIPS instrument was used to search 11 of the closest of these old low-metal stars for circumstellar debris, as a signpost that bodies at least as large as planetesimals were formed. A total of 22 thick disc stars has now been observed, after including archival data, but dust is not found in any of the systems. The data rule out a high incidence of debris among star systems from early in the Galaxy's formation. However, some stars of this very old population do host giant planets, at possibly more than the general incidence among low-metal Sun-like stars. As the Solar system contains gas giants but little cometary dust, the thick disc could host analogue systems that formed many Gyr before the Sun.
SKULL VIBRATION DURING CHEWING OF CRISPY FOOD
Authors: VAN DER BILT ANDRIES , DE LIZ POCZTARUK RAFAEL , ABBINK JAN HENDRIK 
Published: September 2010

ABSTRACT When we chew crispy food, the jaw decelerates and accelerates as a result of resistance and breakage of food particles, and a characteristic sound of the breakage of the food particles is produced. Our aim was to investigate how physical responses, in the form of vibrations, change during chewing. This will give an impression of how food characteristics change during the chewing process. Force resistance and sound emission of three crispy foods (biscuits) and one noncrispy food (cake) were determined with a texture analyzer. We measured skull vibration, while the subjects chewed and swallowed the foods. Clear skull vibrations were observed while the subjects started to chew the biscuits. The skull vibrations gradually decreased upon further chewing down to the level of skull vibrations produced by chewing on noncrispy cake. Then, the biscuits were chewed long enough to form a well‐moistened food bolus that was ready for swallowing. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONSThe crispy nature of food products is an important sensory characteristic on which consumers base their appreciation. Rheological measurements have often turned out not to be completely satisfactory in explaining the relationship between food structure and texture perception. This could be explained by the notion that this approach disregards the oral processing and physiology of the mouth. The measurement of skull vibration, produced by the breakage of crispy food during chewing, provides information on how food characteristics gradually change during chewing. This information may help to understand the relationship between food structure and texture perception.
Collection of Unsaturated‐Zone Water Samples for Tracer Analysis: Evaluation of an Inverting Membrane Technique
Authors: Turin H.J. , Jones C.L. , Groffman A.R. , Dunn S. Dalvit , Lowry W.E. , Soll W.E. 
Published: September 2010

AbstractAs part of the site characterization efforts at Yucca Mountain, Nevada, a series of unsaturated zone tracer tests has been performed at nearby Busted Butte. The phase 2 tracer test was conducted within an instrumented 10 m by 10 m by 7 m in situ block of vitric tuff. A complex tracer solution containing both reactive and nonreactive tracers was pumped into the block during a period of 27 months. Throughout the test, thousands of unsaturated zone pore water samples were collected on sorptive pads attached to inverting membranes and then analyzed for tracer concentration. Partway through the experiment, three new boreholes were drilled into the block, and two intercepted the tracer plume. The rock core was removed for pore water extraction and analysis, and the boreholes were then instrumented with inverting membranes and sorptive pads. The initial set of pore water‐soaked pads was removed from the boreholes a week after they were emplaced, and the pore water was extracted and analyzed. This paper compares the tracer concentration data from the rock cores and the pads to evaluate the effectiveness of the inverting membrane collection technique for a variety of tracers. While the sorptive pads sample only dissolved tracers, rock cores contain both dissolved and sorbed tracer. For nonreactive tracers, such as halides (bromide and iodide) and fluorinated benzoic acids (FBAs), this distinction is immaterial, and the rock and pad data agree quantitatively for the halide tracers, and qualitatively for the FBAs. For reactive tracers, such as lithium, the dissolved tracer concentrations can be estimated from rock analyses by dividing by the tracer's retardation factor; when this correction is applied, the rock and pad lithium data are also in reasonable agreement.
Ground Water Chlorinated Ethenes in Tree Trunks: Case Studies, Influence of Recharge, and Potential Degradation Mechanism
Authors: Vroblesky Don A. , Clinton Barton D. , Vose James M. , Casey Clifton C. , Harvey Gregory J. , Bradley Paul M. 
Published: September 2010

AbstractTrichloroethene (TCE) was detected in cores of trees growing above TCE‐contaminated ground at three sites: the Carswell Golf Course in Texas, Air Force Plant PJKS in Colorado, and Naval Weapons Station Charleston in South Carolina. This was true even when the depth to water was 7.9 m or when the contaminated aquifer was confined beneath ∼3 m of clay. Additional ground water contaminants detected in the tree cores were cis–1,2‐dichloroethene at two sites and tetrachloroethene at one site. Thus, tree coring can be a rapid and effective means of locating shallow subsurface chlorinated ethenes and possibly identifying zones of active TCE dechlorination. Tree cores collected over time were useful in identifying the onset of ground water contamination. Several factors affecting chlorinated ethene concentrations in tree cores were identified in this investigation. The factors include ground water chlorinated ethene concentrations and depth to ground water contamination. In addition, differing TCE concentrations around the trunk of some trees appear to be related to the roots deriving water from differing areas. Opportunistic uptake of infiltrating rainfall can dilute prerain TCE concentrations in the trunk. TCE concentrations in core headspace may differ among some tree species. In some trees, infestation of bacteria in decaying heartwood may provide a TCE dechlorination mechanism within the trunk.
Bone density, calcium intake and vitamin D status in South Asian women living in Auckland, New Zealand
Authors: VON HURST Pamela R. , KRUGER Marlena C. , STONEHOUSE Welma , COAD Jane 
Published: September 2010

AbstractAim:  To investigate the bone health and associated risk factors of a group of South Asian women living in New Zealand. Studies on the Indian subcontinent suggest a high incidence of low bone mineral density in women with poor vitamin D status and low dietary calcium intake.Methods:  Subjects were women of South Asian origin (n = 91) living in Auckland, New Zealand. Subjects were stratified by menopausal status. They completed a 4‐day food diary, and provided a fasting blood sample. Bone mineral density was measured in the lumbar spine and proximal femur using dual X‐ray densitometry.Results:  Mean age of premenopausal (n = 71) and postmenopausal (n = 20) women was 39.8 ± 7.8 and 55.3 ± 5.4 years, respectively. Osteoporosis (T‐score ≤−2.5) was present in 32% of postmenopausal and 3% of premenopausal subjects, but only in the lumbar spine. Adequate 25(OH)D levels (>50 nmol/L) were found in only 22% of premenopausal, and 26% of postmenopausal women. A body mass index in the overweight or obese category was found in 61% of premenopausal and 75% of postmenopausal women.Conclusion:  The high incidence of osteoporosis in the postmenopausal group could be associated with the early age of oophorectomy or menopause together with low vitamin D status.
A novel approach to treating eating disorders in a day‐hospital treatment program
Authors: ASHLEY Mellisa , CRINO Natalie 
Published: September 2010

AbstractAim:  The aim of the present study was to evaluate the short‐term effectiveness of an adult day‐hospital program that uses a novel approach to delivering nutritional interventions.Methods:  Fifty‐six adult eating disorder patients of the Sydney West Area Eating Disorders Day Treatment Program participated in the study. Participants completed standardised self‐reported questionnaires designed to measure eating disorder symptoms, at the commencement of treatment and after 12 weeks.Results:  Participation in day‐hospital treatment was associated with increases in weight, reductions in number of binge‐eating and purging episodes, and frequency of exercise sessions. Participants also experienced improvements in their eating attitudes, drive for thinness, bulimia, depression and anxiety symptoms.Conclusion:  These findings add to the growing body of literature supporting the use of day‐hospital programs in the treatment of eating disorders. A number of strategies are suggested for the effective delivery of nutritional interventions in day‐hospital programs, such as methods that assist with integrating new information, having an experiential focus and the use of collaborative education processes.
The Aboriginal Birth Cohort Study: When is a cohort study not a cohort design?
Authors: MACKERRAS Dorothy E.M. , SINGH Gurmeet R. , SAYERS Susan 
Published: September 2010

AbstractAims:  The paper describes how a variety of different epidemiological study designs can be applied to data arising from a single prospective study.Methods:  An overview of the data collection phases of the Aboriginal Birth Cohort Study is given. We illustrate how different research questions that require different analytical designs can be asked of the data collected in the present study.Results:  With reference to five generic questions in health research, we showed how sixteen specific questions could be addressed in the Aboriginal Birth Cohort Study. These referred to a range of analytical designs.Conclusion:  Readers need to take care not to confuse the overall design of a study with the design of a specific analysis. When conducting systematic literature reviews, studies should be classified according to the analytical design used in the specific report included in the review and not according to the design of the overall project.
Exploring the Relationship between Video Game Ratings Implementation and Changes in Game Content as Represented by Game Magazines
Authors: MILLER MONICA K. 
Published: September 2010

Video game regulation is intended to lessen the potentially negative effects of games by limiting children's access to age‐inappropriate games. Self‐regulations, such as the current rating system, could also encourage manufacturers to reduce sexual and violent content in an attempt to avoid ratings that would limit their potential buyers. The purpose of this article was to determine if the implementation of the Entertainment Software Rating Board (ESRB) was associated with changes in game content. A content analysis of video game magazine articles released before and after the establishment of the ESRB ratings determined that violent content and some sexual content increased nonsignificantly until 2004, when these elements became significantly more extreme. Other sexual content increased in early years but was stable after the adoption of the ratings system. Because manufacturers did not dramatically alter game content after the 1994 rating system came into effect, they may also be unlikely to change the content if the ratings system is modified in the future.Suele esperarse que, al restringir el acceso de los niños a juegos inapropiados, la regulación de videojuegos disminuya sus efectos potencialmente negativos. Autorregulaciones tales como el sistema de clasificación actual podrían también animar a los fabricantes a reducir el contenido sexual y violento con el objetivo de evitar las clasificaciones que podrían limitar sus compradores potenciales. El propósito de este artículo es el de determinar si la puesta en marcha del Entertainment Software Rating Board (ESRB) estuvo asociada con cambios en el contenido de los juegos. Un análisis de contenido de artículos de revistas de videojuegos publicados antes y después del establecimiento de la clasificación del ESRB determinó que el contenido violento y un tipo de contenido sexual, no se incrementó significativamente desde 2004, cuando estos elementos comenzaban a volverse significativamente más extremos. El contenido sexual se incrementó en los años iniciales pero se estabilizó después de la adopción del sistema de clasificación. Dado que los fabricantes no cambiaron dramáticamente el contenido de los juegos después de que el sistema de clasificación de 1994 entrara en vigor, es muy improbable que cambien el contenido si el sistema de clasificación es modificado en el futuro.